Happy New Year
It's funny how there are certain holidays or events where people lose their inhibitions and do things outside the norm. One main variable in this equation is alcohol and the other is environment. Why is it on New Years Eve, big Birthdays, or certain parties that we tend to drink well beyond our means, almost to the point where it's our last?
Not only do we do it to ourselves but our friends help out. They celebrate the occasion by buying us shots and come along for the ride. In the past I found myself in the middle of the may-lay, but lately I have slowed down (luckily) and now enjoy being a spectator of these social dynamics. More about this in a moment.
I brought the 2007 year in celebrating with some friends at my house with dinner and 'warm-up' drinks, then we walked down to The Nectar for a Masquerade Ball. It was a bargain at 10 bucks with a DJ, the band Altered States of Funk, and a show by Burning Hearts Burlesque. Below are a few more shots from the evening. All in all, it was a really fun time.
Through the years I've drank my fair share of alcohol. It effects people differently in both positive and negative ways. Some get aggressive and have to fight. Sometimes it can act as a truth serum while other times it can make people lie or exaggerate. Shy people can come out of their shell, men and women interact more easily (why we call it liquid courage), we can become more creative, and most often alcohol becomes and is entertainment. What I find most interesting is that alcohol effects people differently. The variables are always different and the outcome to the equation not always the same.
The following is a list of 10 things I've heard about, seen, or experienced on New Years. How many of these things did you hear about or have happen to you?
01. A husband, wife, boyfriend or girlfriend enjoys kissing too many friends or random people, way too long, right after midnight.
02. A husband or wife asks why you didn't hook up before they were married and admits to having a long standing crush on you.
03. People drink too much and try to drive. The smart ones leave their cars and take a taxi or sleep where they are (if at a house party).
04. You have your bags packed to go skiing the next morning or have something purposefully lined up so that if you bring someone home, you have an excuse to leave early the next morning.
05. Friends become more than just friends.
06. Love triangles show their sides and come crashing in, resulting in the 3rd wheel no longer being friends with the others.
07. You have somebody special in mind for New Years, but you get blocked by a girl friend or guy friend.
08. A friend gets too drunk and you end up having to babysit instead of hooking up.
09. A person you never thought about, confesses their love for you, changing your perspective of them.
10. You hook up!!!
Another social dynamic that I have to discuss is the female herd. Yes, they travel in packs and some men look for the wounded one behind the herd while others seek out the leader. The wounded one is usually the drunk girl who can't control herself. She may start falling for some guy she just met, being a tease because she is enjoying herself, but will be pulled away to safety by the others. This rarely works out for the hunter, as the herd is usually too strong. I find if you seek out the leader of the herd, they aren't usually drunk, but in control and able to carry on a conversation. If she decides she wants to go home with a guy, she will without the rest of the herd coming to pull her away. The chances of a connection is higher with the leader of the pack than with a straggler.
With male herds it's totally different. We arrive together, support each other in the hunt, but once playing with prey, we leave each other completely alone. We don't want to break any rhythm or connection that may have been established. As well as we let one another make mistakes with our prey which the female herd doesn't allow as often. It's an interesting game that's played.
Ladies, just don't get wounded out in the open without a herd to protect you.
I hope you all had a wonderful New Years, that no mistakes were made that are beyond repair, and that 2007 brings you a world of happiness. Cheers.