What it was like to stay sober on New Year’s Eve
I have to be honest part of it really sucked. Out of all the recent years I’ve wanted to end with gallons of alcohol and the middle finger 2016 takes the metaphorical cake. That being said I’m glad I can at least remember what happened on New Year’s Eve. That’s new. I didn’t do much. I just sat around drinking too much Diet Coke and watching Game Of Thrones reruns with my girlfriend. It was very difficult staying sober for a whole holiday that implores you to get plastered. Which by the way I’ve always found ironic: “What?! A new year is starting?? With this seventh drink I hold in my hand I propose a toast to happy thoughts and good health!”
Maybe I should’ve bought non-alcoholic beer and had a few of those on New Year’s Eve, but seriously, who drinks beer for just the taste? Alright I did. Much like cigarettes and straight black coffee my pallet enjoys the bitter smack across the face. It reminds me I’m alive. I once accidentally bought non-alcoholic beer, and almost didn’t return it. My friend Tommy Boi and I were debating pulling a Freaks and Geeks on our other friend and see how many non-alcoholic beers he would drink before he acted like he was drunk, but then we decided against it due to the nagging feeling of wanting to get drunk ourselves. Is there non-alcoholic beer out there with caffeine in it? If so sign my ass up. Is it illegal to drink non-alcoholic beer at work? If not once again: sign my skinny white ass up.
I’m proud of myself for starting a new year sober. Despite my recent anti-new year’s resolution post that’s one thing that’s on my list I suppose. It’s a big one but it’s not impossible. I’ve made it this far.
I didn’t have the physical urge to drink New Year’s Eve. Just the mental desire due to the fact that most of my friends were out partying that night. That’s probably the worst thing about sobriety at this age. It’s like a foreign concept to most folks in their 20’s. One of the easiest ways to unleash the personal anguish of young adulthood is getting fucked up. So how do I find that relief now? You’re looking at it dear reader. I write, and when I don’t feel like writing I read someone else’s writing. I just finished a book as a matter of fact for the first time in over a year. How embarrassing to be a writer and have that reality under your belt. It was a Christmas horror novel by one of my favorite writer’s: Joe Hill. It’s entitled: “NOS4A2”. For those of you who don’t know he’s the offspring of Stephen King. Don’t let that alone convince you to read his work though. He’s a master of his craft either way to me. My favorite book of all time is by him: “Horns”. Don’t see the movie. You’ve been warned.
Even though it hasn’t even been four full days of the new year I’m doing okay. I’m keeping up with my writing when the urge strikes me, and I’m about to start another book that I’ve been geeking out about for some time now: “Attempting Normal” by Marc Maron. For those of you who haven’t read my previous posts I have something of a man crush on Mr. Maron. I’m obsessed with his podcast, his IFC show, and his general pessimistic with a hint of hope outlook on the world as we know it. So the fact that my kick ass girlfriend bought me his book for Christmas is quite the treat to look forward to and enjoy.
I’ve gotten off topic as usual. I’m 23 years old and I somehow did the impossible: I stayed sober on New Year’s Eve. Where’s my medal? No? Do I at least get a cookie with AA spelled out on top of it in frosting? A sundae in a martini glass then? Anyone? Alright I tried.
