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The whiskey party was super-fun! Thanks to everyone who came and brought a gift and/or whiskey!
My parents were very concerned about this party when they read about it, and sent a birthday card expressing their wishes that I should have a "sober" birthday. Whatever. They should talk, those winos.
At the high point of the party there were 12 different bottles of whiskey. The pick of the bunch was Talisker, a Scottish whiskey from the Isle of Skye, brought by Naomi. It was so good, it no longer tasted like whiskey! It was amazing! I'd give second place to that whiskey that tasted like maple syrup. I don't know who brought it and don't remember what it was called. Third place is maybe Famous Grouse. Good stuff!
The worst of the bunch was Johan's Chinese sorghum whiskey! That stuff was terrible! Fortunately it was easily identifiable for the guessing game that me and N. and M--- played at the end of the night, as scored by Adan. I guessed 5 correctly, M--- guessed 4, and N. guessed only one, lamenting that he was waiting for Hal to leave before drinking.
Chris certainly didn't wait for Hal to leave. On unwise advice from Kerry (who was not drinking at all) Chris took the around-the-world challenge, downing 8 kinds of whiskey in 80 minutes. Chris was "successful" in this endeavor and Kerry crowned him Phileas Fogg. Chris spent the rest of party looking very pale and not really talking to anyone.
However, other than that, none of us got sick! I'd like to think that some age and wisdom, and indeed, alcohol tolerance can be gained in the post-college years.
I had a panicky moment on Thursday when I realized that I'm starting to feel old. Fortunately many of my coworkers think I look about 19, so by that logic I can continue turning 26 for at least another 8-9 years and no one will be the wiser.