Life Through Beer Goggles

Getting wasted...what's the attraction? It's a question I've asked myself for the past four years. Is there any benefit to it? Is there anything to gain? I tend to think there's more to lose. Friends, dignity, self-respect, etc. Is there really anything cool about being an ass and doing stupid shit because you can? I tend to think not.

Getting wasted is alright once in a while. Every now and then, you've got to celebrate achievements or just have a good time. When I ask the question, what's the attraction, I ask it in this context: why do it regularly?

I was talking with my roommate the other night about some staff functions coming up, which usually means drunk-fest with the co-workers. I work early mornings on the weekend so staying out late and drinking lots on a Friday night is a no-go for me. My roommate says to me you only live once. Upon hearing that, I thought, do I need to be wasted all the time? Isn't there more to life than trying to keep track of how many drinks lead you to the porcelain throne? I do like to have a few drinks, but I hate waking up feeling gross, especially when I have to work. It's bad enough I hate working when I'm not well rested. A few co-workers have told me I haven't worked a weekend unless I've worked half drunk or hungover. It works for them, it doesn't work for me. I want to perform to the best of my ability and it would seem irresponsible of me to get drunk in front of the boss, even if it's generally accepted. Even if my boss encouraged it, I would still hold back. I'm in a field I want to move up in, not some retail job where half my brain can get me through the day. On the other hand, if I wasn't working some unholy hour the next day, I'd probably take it further.

I digress. I'm also faced with a few other soirees in the coming months where alcohol consumption is encouraged. I don't see any need to do so, but I'm always faced with people who want to push it. Nothing gets accomplished other than a contribution to the sewage plant. You're out of commission for a half day, wasting most of it away. Why do it regularly? There's too much life to experience and too much to do. Sure you do stupid, amusing things, but are any of those things something to be proud of? I'd rather have a good time with friends, have just a few drinks, and remember what happened. I'm never in a race to see if I can drink more than the next guy, because that's just dumb.

Overall, more harm than good comes out if it. Once in a while is fine, but regularly is just dumb. I'm sure the next time I see some of my best friends from home, it'll be a night to (or not) remember. But that's ok, because how often do I see them?