I can’t really get drunk anymore, and sometimes that pisses me off. 😡 Alcohol.

I can’t really get drunk anymore, and sometimes that pisses me off. 😡 Alcohol.

The most socially accepted drug in our country. Nobody bats an eye when you knock back beers at a bar, party, or kid’s birthday. Do the same with a line of cocaine and everyone loses their mind. But is alcohol really that much better? I’ve been drinking my entire adult life. Never heavily, but when I worked in hospitality, I’d have a few beers several nights a week. Never bothered me much. Or so I told myself. Since last January, I’ve cut my drinking by 90%.

I started a project way outside my experience and comfort zone and stopped drinking to keep my mind sharp. Clear head: check. More focus: check. What I didn’t expect? I’m happier too. And dammit, I hate that. Because I genuinely wish I could have the best of both worlds: a few drinks at night and that same clear, happy feeling the next morning. Apparently, I can’t. I wish those few drinks didn’t make much difference. But shit, they do. These days, two or three beers and I regret life the next morning. That frustrates me because I genuinely love having a few drinks. Especially at concerts. When I’m seeing one of my favorite bands, plenty of beer usually goes down. Not because I need it, but honestly? The experience is just better. I feel the music more intensely.

I can even get emotional. Last summer I saw System of a Down twice. Once sober, once pretty drunk. The second show was definitely more legendary. The next morning wasn’t. Not even close. I hated myself. Now I’ve reached the point where I almost don’t dare drink anymore. And I think that sucks. Because tonight I’m seeing Red Fang in Las Vegas. Heavy, loud metal. I’m excited as hell, and honestly, a bunch of beers just feels like part of it. That should be okay sometimes, right? Or should I wake up and smell the oatmeal cappuccino and listen to my body? As I’m writing this, that’s my dilemma: a legendary night, or a slightly calmer one and a fresh head tomorrow? For the sake of this column, I’m choosing legendary. I’ll finish this writing tomorrow afternoon... 08-15-2026, Las Vegas, the morning after: Okay... do I hate my life? No! Unhappy? Nope! I did sleep badly, though. The deal was: no limits.

Turns out there was one after all: I had “only” six beers. But I had insanely vivid dreams and needed some time to recover after waking up. Other than that? Pretty good vacation day. Healthy breakfast, pool, nap, workout. Pretty happy too. But now that I’m finishing this column, I’m second-guessing what I wrote yesterday. My head isn’t 100% clear, so I can’t tell whether it’s good enough to send. Even though it’s finished….and that’s the booze talking!!! Conclusion:

Maybe this is growing up: getting better at recognizing what things cost you. Maybe I don’t have to choose. Maybe simply knowing how I want to feel is already a win. Six beers are fun. But a clear head is definitely more fun. SHIT! Ferry.