Final Blogger

Booze Is Never The Answer...

“Intro”

When we look at the history of Alcohol, it goes back for ages and ages. Even today, alcohol is bigger than ever and its only growing. From adults enjoying a bottle of wine with friends, to the underage teens chugging a cheap bottle of vodka at college, it is time to really educate society on the effects of alcohol. With my exhibit, I plan to show the full spectrum of how alcohol can affect someone. The theme of my pieces are to show you to what extent Alcoholism has on different individuals in different scenarios. One of my pictures has to do with a man drinking because of PTSD. The next is a man heading to a wedding and chugging a flask. Following is man leaving a hard day at work and drinking a few beers on the way home. Lastly, i will conclude with a homeless man who is getting drunk on cheap wine. All of these pieces are different in their own way, some are happy some are sad but they all lead to the same thing, problems. With the growing popularity of this “legal” substance it is now time to ramp up the education on alcohol and alcoholism. People need to see first hand what drinking may lead to and the consequences of it. We may not be able to stop every single incident, but if we stop a couple, we are progressing. 

 

1.)

Summary: Alcoholism & PTSD

Its been three months now since I've been back from the desert and still i get these visions. People dying, getting blown up by an IED and losing my brothers just plays on repeat in my head. I can't focus on anything, my anxiety is driving me crazy and nothing seems to make it go away. The only thing that temporarily resolves the issue is this bottle of scotch. As, I sit at my dinner table alone, I ponder about my life. It looks as if there is no ending to this madness in my head. The more and more I drink I feel as it I'm drifting away from society and the norm, but its my only escape. Every time I go to the VA for help, I feel as if I'm only a burden. They just shoot me with a bunch of medications and send me on my way. Ive pushed everyone I love away and now I'm alone. I don't think I can take it anymore..

Analysis: Alcoholism & PTSD

The theme of the piece is to show a Veteran with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) suffering from alcoholism. Drinking for him has become an escape from the terrible disease from war, but in the end will lead to no resolution. That gentleman actually drank himself into a coma that day and is under life support. His friends and family all have tried to help and intervene on his drinking problem, but ended up pushing everyone away. The morale of the story is that though drinking provided an escape for his problems in the present, he was ultimately destroying his future. Many people in society choose to do this as well. They drink to cover their daily problems, without knowing that they put themselves in jeopardy of getting alcoholism. This is where we come in to educate society on the true understanding of alcohol. We need to influence the people that there are better and safer alternatives than alcohol and not to resort to it because its easy. There are countless people daily suffering from the disease and its time to make a change.  

2.)

                             Summary: The Best Man “Jack Daniels”

Exactly a year ago today my best friend Josh said he was going to propose to his girlfriend and that he wanted me to be his best man. Overly excited i shouted “Hell Yes”! Wait... that means I have to give the best mans’ speech right? For years I've had a public speaking problem and all I could think about was giving a best mans speech for over 400 people. Well that year quickly flew by and it was time for that big speech. With very minimal preparation throughout that year, I feel as if Im finally ready for it. But, Im definitely going to need to be drunk for this. Dressed in my Grey blazer with my lucky red tie, my hair spiked and my aviators on I make my way to the alter. As i quickly drink out of my best mans flask, I start to realize I may have had one too many to drink. I hope this speech goes well..  

Analysis: The Best Man “Jack Daniels”

The theme of the piece is to illustrate how a gentlemen who uses Alcohol to calm nerves or inebriate himself to the point to which he doesn't care. Well, unfortunately the driver never made it to that wedding to give that big speech. Less than 2 miles from the alter his car was found smashed into a building where he was pronounced dead on impact. This man who had a happy celebration to embrace was taken from it because of Alcohol. The scary thing is that these type of things happen everyday and its absolutely sad. That even when its a good or happy moment chaos can still ensue. And the terrible thing is that it could all have been avoided. The Morale of the piece is that again alcohol is not the answer to your problems. Though it may have helped this guy out with his speech and his nerves, his decision to drink ultimately cost him his life. If only he would have been more educated on the alcohol, he may still be around today.

3.)

Summary: Work Will Be The Death Of Me

Finally after a 14 work day I'm leaving this horrible thing called a job. I of course had to stop and pick up my twelve pack of Heineken for the ride home to reflect on my day. As I'm casually driving down the freeway beer in hand, I think about how the day could not have gone any worse. First, I was late again because my car wouldn't start this morning. Then I was chewed out for at least an hour, because the shipping order was incorrect. Finally the cherry on top was being laid off from the company that i have worked at now for 20 years. What do I do now? Im too old to find another job, nobody is going to hire me. How am I going to pay my bills and support my family? As I continually drive around the city thinking about what I'm going to do, I realize that the case is now empty. As inebriation begins to set in, I no longer care. These beers will get me through anything. 

Analysis: Work Will Be The Death Of Me

The theme of the piece is to illustrate how a man uses alcohol to escape from the dreaded thing he calls life. After being laid off from his job the man decides to drink and booze. Well, on his joy ride pondering about life he crashed into a school bus injuring numerous children and paralyzing himself. This man just ruined the rest of his life because he resorted to alcohol. There are countless cases of this happening daily with no resolution in sight. People are resorting to booze to get them past their issues and this isn't the answer. We need to come up with a better, safer alternative. I can't iterate enough the importance of educating the people about this “legal” substance. The numbers are only rising when it comes to alcoholism. The frightening thing is its going to continue to happen unless we all take a stab at it together. 

4.)

Summary: Spare Change For Booze?

I have officially lost it all. My job, my house and most importantly my family all because of alcohol. How did I let myself get to this point in my life?  After spending the last six dollars I had on a bottle of cheap wine all I could do was sit by this smelly trash can and think about when it all went wrong. The countless nights coming home drunk pushed my family away, getting buzzed at work cost me my job and well losing my job ultimately left me to losing my house. As i quickly drink the entire bottle of cheap wine, questions begin running through my head what I'm going to do. When was the last time I showered? Was this brown long sleeve shirt going to hold up through the winter? What am i going to do without shoes? How long with these socks hold up without getting holes? Hell the cleanest thing i have on are these jeans.. As i grew more and more sad about my situation I realize that I am out of booze and money.. Spare some change anyone?

Analysis: Spare Change For Booze?

The theme of the piece is to show how a man lost it all because of alcoholism. He had a stable paying job, a great family and a beautiful home. As a drinking problem began to arise thats when everything fell apart for him. He came home drunk every night only to fight with his wife. After some time she couldn't take it anymore and left. He then would drink on the job ultimately sacrificing his career. Then when he lost his career, everything else went as well all for alcohol. Now he's staying in the park behind Walmart living in a cardboard box begging for food and change. The morale of the story is that Alcohol isn't the answer to anything. We see here a man who had it all decided to give in to the temptations of alcohol and lost it all.That even though he wasn't drinking to rid or escape of anything, it still had a negative impact on his life. Educate yourselves people, there are countless stories just like this that happen everyday. Don't let it be you.