
(on the right is my bro- in- law, Dan. I tried to shrink the picture three times…)
Last night, I nearly missed a great concert. I don’t always check my facebook invites because I get so many to events in California, New York, Salt Lake, etc. that I just can’t travel to. But at the last minute- when Matt had already made plans with his friends, I caught an invite for my brother- in- law’s band, Two and a Half White Guys (search for them on Facebook…).
I went alone, which meant I had to get there early, take two shots, and drink water until last call so I could drive home sober. I met Dan and the band in the parking lot and they got me on the guest list.

I really was a fan of these guys a long time before I met Matt, whose eldest sister (and one of the coolest) is married to Dan. Unfortunately she was stuck at home with a monster headache, but I got to meet a few of her friends, who were very sweet and fun to dance with.
Of course, the music is great to dance to. They’re like reggae/ ska- I love reggae, not a lot of ska, I’ll listen to these guys any time. Honestly, I have no bloody clue why they don’t have a contract. They are a LOT better than most mainstream so- called music out there right now.

It’s cheerful, fun music, too, so it actually helped my depression quite a bit. I feel much better today.
I spent most of the time sober, with the exception of the half hour after I slammed two shots of Bourbon (five minutes after I got there). I ran into Bo’s (my neighbor) sister and a friend from school, was introduced to several new people, and had a great time.

And I had a mini- brainstorm… well, more like a mini- brain- fast- moving low- pressure system… and so I give you:
The Pros and Cons of being Sober in the Bar on Saturday Night
Pros:
It’s a lot easier to avoid drunk guys on the dance floor. Even the jerky one with the elbows and the John Denver haircut.
You don’t run into as many people even if they’re trying to run into you.
The bathroom is easier to find.
You can focus well enough to take pictures like this:


Conversations are easier to follow. Indeed, you end up leading most of them.
And, you remember the conversations.
If the band is good- and tonight, of course, it was- you can appreciate the complexity of the music more.
If you’re not at Burt’s Tiki Lounge, the worst bar ever, the bartenders appreciate you being sober enough to drive and give you whatever non- alcoholic beverage you want for free. Usually. At the Deerhunter Pub last night, the bartenders were all really cool. Some of the best in the valley, IMHO. Great guys.
You don’t feel as dumb when you’re talking to people.
No problems getting home, even though the street is clogged with bright flashing cop car lights (and all four cop cars are behind the one guy who happens to be one of the three of ethnic minority who were at the crowded bar and you’re not sure he drank).
Cons:
You really feel the pain in your legs when you’ve been standing/ dancing for four hours straight because all the chairs are taken.
It’s not as easy to get into dancing with strangers, even if they’re girls.
You wonder if the drunk chick who invited you to her BBQ would remember you if you showed up.
You notice the guys who stare.
If the band sucks, the suckiness is much more palpable. (The first guys up- I don’t remember the name of the band, but… well, I can’t exactly call it “suck” because they weren’t horrible, but they also didn’t change keys for 45 minutes…)
All the drinks look really good. Except the cheap beer.
The jokes aren’t as funny. But watching some guy cram his wasted girlfriend headfirst into the back seat still is…
You notice drama. Crying girls and arguments and such.
Worst of all, you’re sober.
All told, it was a great night and I had lots of fun, and I hope they’re down here again soon, with Havi and me with Matt.
In other news, i’ve created a facebook group: the Agrarian Foodie Committee. I thought it would be helpful for gardeners and canners- and there are quite a few around here- to have a resource through which to exchange produce and canned goods and such. Apparently there are a lot of folks who agree. I’m a little nervous- I’ve never organized anything like this before. Especially ten minutes after I dreamed it up. But, there it is… wish me luck.