A test that an unfortunate number of people will always refuse to take part in, February 19th

(Apparently my iPhone fucks with the line-lengths of text..)

With new years resolutions still semi-fresh (ok, slightly stale) in our minds, and
now Lent, the topic of drinking came into conversation  with my sister thismorning.

Her boyfriend and she, have decided to go one month without drinking  (for their
own, un-Eastery reasons) and see where that takes them. And I couldn't be happier,
or moreso, prouder.

Drinking is a tricky thing. Everyone does it, basically, so it's tough
not to. If bars served extacy, and bars were still where everyone went
on a Friday or Saterday (or Sunday, or Tuesday..) night, we'd be facing a human
extinction likely. Perhaps it's somewhat lucky that drinking is our
main issue, and not mind altering, brain frying chemicals. But it is
an issue.

Well, maybe it's just an issue for me.

Because I don't drink. At all. Not even a shot of Baileys on StPattys
day, or champagne at a wedding.

People assume that since I don't drink now, it's because I never have,
and I don't know what I'm missing, or how to have a good time. But I
know very well, thank you very much! I've had plenty of good times!
Plenty of black-out-pass-out good times! Hooray! Lol

I've been left on my front portch befor, I've been left in a van
unconcious after puking through the sliding door all along the
highway! I've woken up on strange bathroom floors, curled up under a
hand towel for warmth! I was arrested once, on a school night,
then I went to Krystynas birthday dinner (yes, badass me got arrested
BEFORE I got drunk at the party) and went to school the next day in my
same clothes, with barf on my shirt. Steve Mullin thought I was a REAL
catch after showing up to our first period, gifted English class
completely hungover.

I've been drunk! Very drunk! Pump-my-stomach-befor-I-die drunk!

And there are still moments, after a long day of flu'y kids at work, or
a mere hour with my mother, or a fight with my boyfriend, where my
brain conciders that all may be made better with a drink. I still
every now and again envy the girl dancing in the middle of the club like a MORON not giving a
shit about anyone else because she won't remember anything tomorrow
morning anyways. But then I remember what comes after the crazy
dancing and the glowy happy photoshoot in the squishy bar's bathroom.
The spinning, and the hotflashes, and the toilet bowls as pillows, and
the headaches and the sheer panick.

Yes, maybe I am just weak and can't hold my liquor, lol.

I just think, that if everyone was forced to go a month without any
alcohol, you'd all see that weekends are still enjoyable, and you may
still be a decent dancer, and guys will still hit on you only you'll
actually remember why you're waking up in his bed, half naked/fully
naked the next morning! And after the initial shock, the initial
taunting, people will still invite you out, and they'll still be you're
friend and associate with you downtown, even though you're not as
giddy and intoxicated as them.

I however, do not see many people taking such a pledge any time soon.
I'd still recommended it, though! Your stomach and your liver and your
esophagus and you brain will thank you later. And if that's not
enough, your bank account will really thank you for it! (Yes, I am
still in debt, but not nearly as in debt as I'd be if I were dropping
$50 evert night I'm out..)

Bottom line, I suppose, you dont have to be 30 and married with a kid
and a dog and a job with a salary before you can start giving it a rest
and growing up, and being able to get home to your own bed after a
good night out.  NOT all the cool kids are doing it.  I'm sober! And
I'm still fly as a white guy.