Dry January: Week 1 of a booze-free month

click to enlarge From left, Dry January diary writer Louise Rocco shares a wetter moment with lifelong pal Renee Bucklin at their Sexy Family New Year's Eve Party in Orlando, Dec. 31, 2011. - Julia Brown
Julia Brown
From left, Dry January diary writer Louise Rocco shares a wetter moment with lifelong pal Renee Bucklin at their Sexy Family New Year's Eve Party in Orlando, Dec. 31, 2011.

click to enlarge From left, Dry January diary writer Louise Rocco shares a wetter moment with lifelong pal Renee Payton at their "Sexy Family New Year's Eve Party" in Orlando, Dec. 31, 2011. - Julia Brown
Julia Brown
From left, Dry January diary writer Louise Rocco shares a wetter moment with lifelong pal Renee Payton at their "Sexy Family New Year's Eve Party" in Orlando, Dec. 31, 2011.
  • Julia Brown
  • From left, Dry January diary writer Louise Rocco shares a wetter moment with lifelong pal Renee Payton at their "Sexy Family New Year's Eve Party" in Orlando, Dec. 31, 2011.

Today marks the first day of a month-long period of sobriety. You might be saying to yourself, Self, this chick decided not to drink for a month. So what? Who cares? Granted, it won't bring about any lofty changes in the world, but it will take me out of my comfort zones. Wine and beer are like a favorite sweater, comfortable and familiar. Without them, my interactions will (hopefully) be more lucid, and that lucidity will allow me to think about more important things and have more interesting conversations.