I began questioning my drinking habits once again
Since I’ve been back off the wagon, a strange new fact has come to light. I really don’t enjoy mixed drinks now. This may be a temporary effect of the sobriety. The last Wednesday night I met Eric and Steve to work on some music in South Orange, NJ. Afterwards, as per usual, Eric and I ended up at Bunny’s by the train station for a couple for drinks. As seedy as that sounds, Bunny’s is not a strip club but a family/sports bar and restaurant that serves up strong, cheap drinks. As a matter of reflex and habit, Eric ordered me what was always my usual choice; a Jack & Coke. It just did not taste right to me. Oh there was nothing really wrong with it other than not appealing to my taste buds. This was a truly odd feeling.
My solution has been to go back to the basics; straight whiskey or vodka and maybe a beer chaser. On Friday I went to No Idea (30 W. 20th St, NYC). It was Lisa night which meant that anyone named Lisa could drink for free. Unfortunately I could not get my friend Lisa to come in with me, but I wanted to check the place out because of what people had told me about it. It’s Friendly and fun for a happy hour no matter what your name may be. If you’re lucky, you’ll end up there on your name night but you will have a good time anyway. I was lucky to get my friends Madeline and Luis to come out as well as a different Lisa who I work with. The drinks and conversation flowed easily. After this bar we all ended up at a Karaoke place on 26th street. I can’t remember the name. I had a couple more drinks, upgrading to Makers Mark bourbon. Yes I even sang … much to the chagrin of anyone in earshot.
In the few nights that I’ve gone out, even though I’ve been able to keep a certain degree of control, I’ve already been able to see the trends that drove me to my sobriety challenge. First is the lack of a shut-off valve. I also had a cigarette like I do when I drink. The next morning there was that pesky lack of a hangover. Then, I opened my wallet and noticed that I had, without even flinching, spent $75. Not so bad maybe until you take into account that I had already spent that much, if not more over the course of a couple of nights. Still far less than what I would have normally spent in the past, but not something I or my bank account want to keep doing. Is it wrong that I’m more concerned about my fiscal health than my physical health? Ah, whatever … one will certainly benefit from the other regardless of which comes first.
So the thought of giving up again has come to mind. This is also inspired by a new direction that I’d like my life to go in. It’s a new lifestyle and work plan that will quite matter-of-factly turn my world on its ass. I can’t go into too much detail since I’m still working out the kinks, but it involves me leaving the steady pay of managing corporate websites and traveling the county in search of life. So I really cannot let the blurred thinking and reduced finances that come from binge drinking mess up my train of thinking at this time. Yet another inspiration to get and keep myself straight.
