Remember how you couldn’t wait to turn 21? It is the dream you’ve been having since you were 16. Being able to drink in public places, finally. The thing is, this privilege is something you have to be responsible with, or it can take the turn to some very damaging behavior.

Feeling a bit nostalgic today. We took a very informative walk down Memory Lane last night. Reminiscing about things that were better off left in the past. Irresponsible behavior after usually drinking too much.

The thing with the past is this. It makes us who we are, and often it pops up to create chaos at the most inappropriate times. We know better now, but often shock the people were are with. I really doubt if anybody on the face of earth is excluded from the haunting of some childish behavior when they were young.

I believe the majority of us are harder on ourselves than what others are. When these occasions arise, my feeling is to shoot straight from the hip and don’t leave out details. You may be willing to leave out something that could come back and create an avalanche down the road - or are you not?

Spit It Out

No matter how much the truth is going to hurt you and the one you love, it is better to get it out of the way. The truth doesn’t hurt as much as a lie, or purposely withholding something, thinking you are protecting your opposite (read “your other half”). Especially if you are still friends with the clique and you had that time of wild- and woolliness.

My friends were more dignified whenever a camera appeared. We made sure there would be nothing to garnish a bitter taste in ones mouth. That was because we were very much into our careers, and of course, wanted to demonstrate a mature and sophisticated behavior.

Even on road trips, one of us always remained sober while the rest were getting drunk, having conversations with guys in cars at traffic lights and flirting with guys in cars on the expressways. Still we have memories of these days.

The worst road trip I hardly remember. I was loaded in the vehicle with what I planned to wear to bed, and woke up in another country in the same attire.

Still, that wasn’t such an embarrassing moment for me, and no pictures were taken of me walking down a busy street filled with bars and clubs. I was wearing a pair of pink boxers, a Boston U t-shirt, and a hoodie; with with big pink fury slippers and a Yankees baseball cap. Not exactly what I would wear out usually. We were having a sleepover with a few girls from out of town, and had planned to stay in, have drinks, and catch up.

Pictures Of The Past…

I think the most embarrassing picture is this one: a girlfriend’s bachelorette party where one of the girls got a very good shot of me on a table dancing. On a table. Dancing. Go figure from where she took the shot. It was not on the table because I was on the table. Well, lucky me, the attendees were all female, and I wasn’t the only girl who decided to climb up so high above the ground.

The only man was the bartender, and God only knows, he has seen his share of intoxicated women who have lost their perspective on what was going on. This was totally out of character for me, but still I had a great time, and I think I was more relaxed because of the circumstances. None of us had to deal with men for a whopping six hours.

Notice here any close call to becoming a most embarrassing moment was - usually - when alcohol was involved.

The Alcohol With A Capital “A”

I learned early on not to be careless when it came to drinking. I always seemed to be at risk when others did it, and I hated hangovers and the feeling of suddenly acting like an idiot. Instead, I became a one-to-two-drinks-all-night-sipper to avoid this. After a while it became more of the role I had taken on when with certain friends, and when I went out in general.

The whole going out thing was squeezed in during one weekend a month, but rarely twice. Getting together with friends for dinner was the usual and what I appreciated more. Only after a coming together in a familiar and cozy place at a friend’s home, we would go to the next place for a couple of drinks. I liked it. Just a few guys and girls who were friends and single and enjoying an evening.

The Thing About Guy Friends

Having the guys along was great. Don’t get me wrong - guy friends. We were all single. We had our own conversation and were in our own little corner catching up on things. Always with a clear view of the other people.

We were “people watchers”, with the attitude that we would rather be in the audience than on center stage. Yes, we loved to watch people, being so intoxicated, and we would laugh at them to a point.

Another advantage to having the guys along was the obvious: not being bothered by other men. If that happened, we would say that one of the guys was our date, and vice versa.

Then when the evening was over, there was always one or two of our guy friends that waved down a cab, then ask us to call or text them once at home. Terrific.

This was more relaxing than going out with the girls, where the minute you walk in, you can almost hear men saying “Oh, the variety is increasing” or “What a selection we have here tonight”. Terrific - not.

Bars and clubs, when you go as in a mixed group, are good. I look at these places more as something I outgrew, or maybe just didn’t feel comfortable in there. It sometimes seemed like we were going there for the sake of meeting people.

It may be because these settings are like stages. People play up their best behavior; with the misconception that the consumption of alcohol will increase their chances of success.

Jack, Johnnie, and Gray

Mr. Daniels, Mr. Walker and Ms. Goose are being trusted to break the ice. Both literally and virtually. They are trusted to strengthen the odds of the evening.

It is awkward enough when you first meet a man. It is hard enough for you to really get to know the “real him”. Since they all tend to be on their best behavior, or try to impress you somehow.

Over drinks, the “getting acquainted” part just lengthens. At the same time, over drinks, the seduction quickens - provided there is an existing potential. Do sip slowly.

On one hand, I have to admit that a good karaoke bar with friends is fun. It is one of those times when a drink gives you the courage. You get up in front of people you will hopefully never see again, to demonstrate how badly you may sing. But you know the words; at least you did when sober.

More about this, and I don’t mean karaoke, in my next post. If you like, subscribe to Bunny and you’ll get an update on the follow-ups.

And I would like to ask you: does this sound familiar to you? Have you experienced the same with Mr. Daniels, Mr. Walker, Ms. Goose, or maybe Mr. Cuervo?