Boldly Going…
The
following words are written in the utmost seriousness, but I
wouldn’t be surprised when it’s met with more than a few raised
eyebrows. They would not be misplaced. But, I guess if I’m going to
commit to something, might as well put it into writing. I’m quitting
drinking. As in no more booze. Indefinitely.
I’ve
been drinking nearly everyday for the past decade. Those who know me
know that it’s not an exaggeration. I’m the guy that is usually the
first to raise the glass and most of the time the last person left
standing.
My
love affair with alcohol started during freshman year. I wasn’t just
introduced to a brand new vice, but I was introduced to a lifestyle
that pretty much enabled me to be completely me… if that makes
sense at all. Through out the years, I have accumulated a vast number
of stories hat basically start off with how drunk I was. Made all my
friends laugh.
But
now, over the weekend actually, I’ve come to realize that all those
little “adventures” had consequences, and I’m just blinded and
deafened by the smiles and chuckles that came along with every
retelling of a drunken episode of my life.
Through
my insatiable need for alcohol, I nearly lost a couple of the best
friends I’ve ever made and ever will make. One is through a seemingly
broken heart, the other through broken expectations. I’ve managed to
fix one (though she does make it a point to remind me of past
transgressions at every opportunity, not that I mind) while the other
seems to be a hopeless cause.
I
have no regrets, but I do carry the fear of not being able to resolve
those issues. I am not going to lose anyone else.
Of
course, drinking have made me a lot of friends, particularly in
college, but come to think of it, the nearly all of the best friends
I’ve had aren’t the ones that didn’t start off through a mutual
affection for the hooch. In fact, my drunken nighs have at times
caused trouble for those treasured bonds.
Let’s
not even get into the effects on my health, cause I don’t really care
about that. But, for the record, getting a heart attack, getting run
over three times, getting a blood pressure that’s through the roof,
getting a concussion and a host of other things due to drinking
doesn’t exactly spell out a good time. (Actually they do, depending
on how you look at it.)
One
aspect of my life that doesn’t necessarily get affected by drinking
would be my love life. It can get crappy all on it’s own, I’m proud
to say.
Frankly,
I’ve been making a mess a lot of times since picking the bottle. I
don’t want to make a mess anymore.
Let’s
see how the sobered up half lives.
