In Moderation

Why do we drink too much? It's something that happens to all of us.  Is it a desire to let go of the normal day-to-day and grab hold of something more exciting? Or is it the peer pressure we feel of being surrounded by our friends holding bottles and shots and drinks? Or is it something simpler?
We go out to celebrate. Whether it's a birthday, promotion, impending nuptials, divorce (maybe the marriage wasn't that stellar), graduation, what have you. And how do we choose to honor the honoree? Well, we buy them a drink, duh.  So, as the group casually sips away on our purchased beverages, the honoree gulps down free drink after free drink.
Last week, we went out for a bachelorette party. Here we are at dinner, the food had counteracted the strength of the drinks, so we look like a group of sophisticated ladies.

That didn't last long.

Quickly, the evening spiraled as the bachelorette took the stage and in true dancing fashion, showed us how much she had had to drink. (She later showed a few of us further proof in the bathroom and then in the back alley.)

I also have that photo, but I'm not going to share it.


We dropped her off on our way to the second stop.  She's passed out in the back seat.  We were amused with making dumb faces.  Why don't we ever grow out of that? Put a camera in my face and I'm almost 100% guaranteed to make a dumb face!

Obviously, as I am 29, this is not the first night where I had a little too much to drink.  Several years ago, a friend celebrated her 21 birthday.  We all we out.  We had a blast.

You don't know Amber, the birthday girl, but she's the second on the left.  You won't see her in any more photos, because she didn't even make it out after the party.  We partied until 3 a.m.

Oh dear. Again with the ridiculous faces. Why do I do that? And then, why do I let people take pictures?  AND, then post them where people I know can see them?
Because, we all do it.

I myself have not been immune to this occurrence.
I haven't pointed this out, but hopefully, it's pretty obvious. I am a light-weight.  I don't drink that often. And when I do, I don't drink that much. Many years ago, my former boss took me out to celebrate a promotion I got. She, being older and more of a drinker, can hold her liquor.  I can not. Of course, that didn't stop me from trying to keep up with her.  And my evening came to a crashing halt as I was escorted out of a club for relieving the pressure in my stomach on the dance floor. Yep. It's not my proudest moment.  And to be honest, I don't even remember it.  I was told of it.
And, I would show you photos, but I could barely walk, more less operate a camera.  I was more interested in the cowboy hat [that I puked on] and laying in the grass. I didn't even make it to the witching hour, being carted home at 11. (and not a.m. the next morning, p.m., like 3 hours after leaving the house.)
Why? Because everyone bought me drinks.  And, I drank them.
Just like my previously mentioned friends.  Drinks bought. Drinks drunk. Literally.
So, I know you have a story to share. Maybe it was you, maybe it was a friend, or you know, a 'friend,' I won't tell!