I read somewhere, and I agree, that early on, a couple drinks did open the mind to an expanded view of things, including being more artistic or more efficient at whatever it was we did ... However, if we go beyond that first few drinks, then a rushing crash to earth is inevitable ... Also, as we abuse the alcohol and age, the mind and body loses most, if not all, ability to be product on any level ...

Long ago, I used to do many different things when under the influence of alcohol.  At the time, my perception was that it allowed me to relax and let my creativity flow.  I thought everything I did drunk was amazing.  Later on I found out that was merely my perception.  Alcoholism is a disease of deception.  Once I finally worked the 12 Steps and experienced a spiritual awakening, I was doing things under the influence of a Higher Power.  Those were the most amazing and miraculous things I've ever accomplished -- things that were far beyond my natural abilities.  God can do what I cannot.  Blessings to all, Mike D.

Dave,  I  too  did  the  music  thing  but  not  to the  extent  as  yourself.  I  bought  an  electric  guitar,  a  beautiful  Gibson  RD  Artist,  like  new  for  $600  bucks  back  in  '75  I think  it  was.  I  was  just  a  beginner,  not  with  drinking  but,  the  whole  guitar  thing.  I'd  get  drunk  late  at  night,  up  in  my  upstairs  bedroom  (stole  some  of  dad's  booze)  and  cranked  that  old  Crate  amp  up  as  high  as it  could  go,  I thought  it  sounded  great,  I  was  Jimi  Hendrix

in  my  opinion.  Well,  the  neighbors  weren't  so  pleased,  to  put  it  lightly.  I  can  still  picture  my  dad  yelling  at  me,  "turn  that  thing  DOWN !"  all  I  could  do  was   read  his  lips,  it  was  that  loud.  I  obliged  and  then  I  could  hear  him  saying  something  about " the  cops  are  gonna  knock  our  door  down."  God  bless  him...   Oh  and  I  must  add  there  was  alot  of  puking  going  on  then  too...huh.

Now  I  live  on  a  ranch  and  I  could  probably  get  away  with  that,  but  I  love  to  play  acoustic  guitar   almost  every  night  now,   for  and  hour  or  so  and  I  keep  it  mellow.  It  is  like  meditation  for  me,  it  keeps  me  sane.

Speaking  of  puking,  I  used  to  go  on  a  bus  full  of  drunks,  down  to  Oakland  to  watch  the  A's  play.   On   one  of  those  trips  we  all  started  drinking  in the  parking  lot,  in  the  morning,  before  we  even  got  on the  bus  to  go  to  the  game.  We  loaded  up,  hit  the  highway,  and  off  we  go.  I  was  sitting  about  halfway  down  the  isle  next  to  the  window.  I  was  looking  out  the  window  when  I  heard  someone  shout  out  "  Look  Out,  Incoming !"

I  looked  toward  the  front  of the  bus  and  here  comes  this  big  guy  with  his  face  white  as  a  sheet  and  cheeks  bulging,  and  well,  as  you  might  imagine,  he  didn't  make  it  to  the  restroom,  we  got  showered,  how  nice.

So,  when  I  travel,  I  sit  up  in  the  front  of  the  bus,   with  my  rain  parka  on,  across  from  the  big  guy,  and  I  give  him  plenty  of  space.