“There was this interesting piece in The Times a couple weeks...

“There was this interesting piece in The Times a couple weeks ago about people in solitary confinement.  And one of the guys said the worst thing is having all that time to think.  And that’s my problem too. When I’m alone in my apartment, I just start ruminating.  About my finances.  About my medical conditions.   About not taking good enough care of my mom.  But as long as I can find my bar, I’m fine.  It’s just a couple blocks from my house.  And when I open the door, and look in, I see the place is full of people like me: people with health problems, retirees with nothing to do, a lot of us are unkempt, unshaven.  And everyone has a weakness for alcohol.  I get a warm welcome every time I walk in.  It’s the only place I don’t berate myself for being a dirt bag.”