Professor David Nutt

At Salon London last night, I introduced Professor David Nutt.. Here's a picture of him with Party Time after I taught him the prison handshake:

Professor Nutt pointed out that alcohol is the biggest killer now out of all drugs. More than half a unit of alcohol damages the liver and heart. He pointed out that alcohol is the biggest killer of men under 50, it kills three young people every week in the UK, it is a factor in half of violent crime, it is the main drug involved in date rape and that alcohol poisoning killed Amy Winehouse not drugs as is commonly believed. None of this is widely publicised because the government, alcohol lobbyists and the media are in cahoots. I learned a lot from his fascinating talk and even more from his book, Drugs Without the Hot Air.

Shaun Attwood

Spreading the Gospel

The other day I received a comment on a post from a Marine who is interested in getting involved in upland game and waterfowl hunting. I e-mailed in response to this comment and received this reply:

"Thanks for the e-mail.  Although currently stationed in North Carolina, I'm originally from Philly.  Any tips you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Very respectfully,

***************

Captain, United States Marine Corps

Legal Assistance Attorney

I then replied with some suggestions about getting started on game preserves with release pheasants and chukkars. I also suggested checking at the Officers Club regarding waterfront land where the Captain is stationed to inquire about duck and goose hunting possibilities. I hope the young Captain is successful. He has the shotgun and hunting license squared away....now he just needs the opportunity. I closed my e-mail by offering to personally guide him on a duck or goose hunt when he is home on leave this Winter. It seems my ramblings have reached a few souls out there.

Selling Hooch

Shotguns,decoys,dogs,whiskey....

Simone Thorogood Interviews Shaun Attwood About Party Time

Shaun Attwood author of Hard Time and Party Time at the YouTube TV studios in London

Celebrating My Dad's 65th birthday

Link to Party Time and Hard Time the books the Banged-Up Abroad episode was based on with free delivery worlwide, including Holland: http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/author/Shaun-Attwood?selectCurrency=EUR

Kill It and Grill It

 Monday marks the opening day of dove season. When I say I am going dove hunting some people look askance and  query: " Can you eat those?" Hell yes...a dove breast wrapped around some cheese and jalapeno with a cloak of bacon...over real wood charcoal...beyond delicious.

After the dove shoot last year I had the author of The Trad and his lovely golf foxtrot down for a barbecue that was a mixed grill including dove breast from birds I had shot on  a day or two before. That feast also included skirt steak, Italian sausage and chicken...but the wild dove was the star of the show.

Walkin' the Walk

 My best friend from Lehigh was in from the Left Coast last weekend. So, I scheduled a Sportsman's Weekend for myself and my buddy. We started Thursday evening with a trip to the Gym to throw around some free-weights and do some boxing on the heavy bag and speed bag.

 Friday found us at the Cricket Club for a gym warm-up and then a few sets of squash. After squash, we bowled a few games on the Club lanes. After sauna,showers and shaves, we loaded a cooler with ice cold beers and headed for Citizens Bank Park to see the Phillies take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was an entertaining game which ended with a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the 9th for a Phil's win.

 Saturday featured a trip to the Gun Club for 2 rounds of trap and 2 rounds of skeet. A quick lunch preceded our next excursion: Atlantic City for boxing at Bally's Casino.

 One highlights of Friday night was having a beer with Gary Mathews, former member of the 1980 Phillies World Series winners and current radio announcer. He hangs out after the games at the Jazz club I used to own so we took the opportunity to have a photo taken. My buddy was fascinated by Gary's World Series rings.

 After a great 7 bout card of boxing at Bally's, we hit the gaming tables.Some hard work at the Blackjack table, and my share of free rum & tonics, found me walking away a winner.

It was a phenomenal weekend. My buddy said to me as we waited for the car at the casino valet: " We did more in 3 days than lesser men do in 3 weeks."