Seven Ages of Drinking Socially in NYC
I woke up with this terrible headache. Sometimesit’s just too hard to sleep and then my only way out is blacking out somehow… Alcoholis my best friend when it comes to regulating my nights of sleep… So yeah,sometimes I am in a bar because I can’t stand tossing and turning in my bedanymore. This behavior was actually interestingly productive somehow because it allowed me to make friends here in NY.
I am originally from Brazil, Rio de Janeiro and never had a hard time making friends in my warm and friendly culture but things are different in America.
I came here to study art and start over again…reset my life like a video game. My drunken nights at regular bars showed me adifferent side of the New Yorker’s personality: they are mostly lonely andneedy. As a good listener and heavy drinker I found my way and my people inthis chaotic city. If there is a thing that you can notice that everybody herehas in common as soon as you start making friends in NYC is that they drink, alot. To consider someone an alcoholic here you would needa lot more bottles a week than anywhere else, otherwise we would be analcoholic city, leaving only 1% of the population sober (being optimistic). Iremember drinking wine with my dad since I was 18 almost everyday. Before thathe used to let me drink it only on very special occasions. I like alcohol. I likethe taste of it. I like feeling my body high and my anxiety low… I like to give a break to myrestless brain while feeling the physical relaxation taking away my tensions.Before my dad allowed me to drink, I already knew how much I loved it, especiallybecause of the results. Alcohol usually comes together with meeting goodfriends, sharing interesting conversations, new ideas and resolutions… I’venever made a new friend eating a slice of cheesecake.
Of course the abusive use of it is dangerous… But I am 30 years old, smoke Marlboro light that I buy cheaper from a bodega close by my house, listen to psychedelic rock or progressive electronic weird shit, live in NY and my love life is a mess so please don’t judge me.
The first phase is the desire to meet your friends… Why are you meeting with them? Good or bad, it doesn’t matter if you need some company because your anxiety keeps you awake or you wanna celebrate a new job. It will always feel better with a drink and as I’ve heard once or twice “happiness is only real when shared”. Of course, sometimes I go out by myself for a Gin & Tonic celebrating Amy Winehouse’s legacy and happen to make new friends. Other times I just go to the dive bar close by my house and hang out with my crazy roomies, who always welcome me with a drink and a long “i love you” family-like kind of hug. It’s especially warm and feels amazingly cozy any of these ways.
The second one comes when responsibility and consequences are no longera concern. As an adult kid you party, play, have fun and share your craziestthoughts with your friends. One shot of tequila, maybe I need to drink somewater… (Here I go again creeping like snail on my way to the bathroom line.)It’s hard to tell when the third one starts and the second one ends butsuddenly you feel everything intensely, especially love … that smokey eyedbartender with the jasmine scented perfume smells like the love of your life. Onmy left side, that weird guy becomes sexy, while pouring that tequila shot.He’s dressed like a 28 year old punk, wearing a denim jacket with David Bowie’sface embroidered on the back. Suddenly he has the most beautiful smile, and thebest sense of humor… oh, it feels like love.
And then, a soldier. We are stronger and brave, seeking the bubblereputation even in the sixth shot of tequila. Brave, ready… wasted. Limitless,secure… unstoppable. Next bar, next drink… next cab.. Boots and dancing shoes.
And then, the Justice. Puking cautionary adviceover us, spoiling our fun time. Sometimes the bartender doesn’t like the factthat your friend almost fell trying to get up in the balcony and glares andscowls at you both. Whenever they see trouble they stop serving you drinks, sothe trick is to be aware of every move when the Justice is around: never, evershow them your real level of inebriation. We have to go home. I call an uber and stop by the deli just at the corner of my house… We take off our uncomfortable shoes. On a weird slump rhythm everything I see is a little bit distorted. Somethings sound a little bit out of context.
Some people sleep like their grandpa on the couch with an open button Levi’sand Calvin Klein undies… Feels like I’m going back to my childhood… everythinggets very confusing and thinking is not an easy task anymore. It’s anunconscious state of inertia.
The last phase tells me that it’s time to lie down in my bed. Suddenly,this experience crosses this dimension and takes place somewhere else… It’stotal oblivion and peace of mind. Nothing else matters. Sleep well, friends -of course I can share my bed.
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