bloodied

obV8

I didn’t used to like Tomato Juice.

I have always, however, been a good drinker and I enjoy my food as spicy as I can handle. So when the possibility of drinking bloody mary’s arose, sometime in my late teens, I was a little confused.

Here was my conundrum: I loved 9/10ths of the ingredients, tabasco, black pepper, horseradish, worcestershire, red pepper, pickles, vodka (the list could go on, obviously), but I hated tomato juice. However, by making my own, and keeping the TJ ratio fairly low (these drinks were quite dark. I mean, Mary had gotten the shit kicked out of her, but she didn’t appear bloodied, really-more black and blue), I was able to develop a concoction I could tolerate. Over time these drinks became delicious, famous even, well-liked in some very illustrious circles. My drinks were an art. A big soupy Rothko of booze, and I loved it.

Now I enjoy tomato juice on its own, good for the heart, offers a little sustenance, what’s not to love. In fact, I’ve begun ordering them when I fly, seeing how airlines can’t seem to give away any pretzels these days.

Moral of the story: Sleep with as many people as possible, in hope that one day their more admirable features will be made apparent. And drink early.