DAY 1 Not a drink today. All is well. The sun's out and there's a crisp smell in the air. Maybe I should go for a run today and enjoy this feeling.

DAY 2 I woke up with the same perky feeling. It's frankly a tad disconcerting. I actually smiled to the coffee stand guy after getting my bagel and coffee (light with two sugars, not black like normal). It felt weird. My girlfriend says I ought to quit smoking next.

DAY 3 Another day at work. Somehow they all blend together just like they did when I was drinking, but it's worse somehow. Now that I've lost my shield I have to pretend to like the bastards instead of sinking into my own little world for eight hours. I can't even stand my girlfriend. She got into Jesus somewhere along the line and has become a real pain in the ass. Maybe there's a support group for people like her... or for people who have to deal with people like her.

DAY 4 I feel like half the city has suddenly become closed off to me. I walk past these bars and see everyone inside doing what I used to do and I can't go in. Every bouncer knows me, they look at me and say no. Every convenience store owner knows me, and they say no. The police all know me. They're all stopping me. Did I have my picture circulated? It'd seem typical somehow.

DAY 5 I didn't go home last night. I didn't go to work today. My girlfriend would be looking for me and I don't want to be found. I went to a coffee shop this morning and I suppose I had some look on my face because the chick behind the counter was creeped out. I doubt I'll go home tonight.

DAY 6 Got in trouble for sleeping on a park bench last night. I WASN'T DRUNK! No. I was clean and sober, just tired. Of course, they knew who I was so they weren't going to believe me. I doubt the urine filled Starbucks cups helped, but no one would let me use their bathroom. Could use a smoke, but ran out of cigarettes a couple of hours ago.

DAY 7 Much better. I picked up a six-pack from a storeowner and had a couple at home on the couch before she got home from her shift. She wasn't happy, but she was even less so that I was going to make her go cold turkey on her sleeping pills.