Day 9: FAIL [All these red-eyed Devils at play....]

Okay, I'm not going to restart the counter but as many had anticipated, I would fail my mission sooner or later. I spent the week eating well, making good choices, and on independence day, I ran 4 miles and hung out in Battery Park. And one night can destroy an entire week's worth of work. Way to go!

To quit cold turkey may be helpful for some, but it was torturous for me. The birth of our country has led to the death of my vow..... or perhaps it had provided strenghth to my vision of what I have to do. It started with a few beers at a friend's backyard party/concert. Then a night on a roof with more beer and then this morning I found receipts of liquor stores. $15 here, $30 there..... and the text message that defined my weekend....

"I am taking a drunken nap in the car. I hate myself for drinking". I have always found myself to be terrible honest when I'm drunk. This morning was miserable. Happy Independence Day indeed.....

An American Bagel.... no more delicious than others
but look how pretty!

During the fireworks, there was a competing show.... A huge fire in Brooklyn.
Emma and I went to survey the damage at a lumber yard! Eesh....

Was it worth it?

DAY 6: GO TO THE BAR?!?! [If you can't beat 'em]

Yes, that is right. I say, go to the bar. I couldn't help but visit my FAVORITE bar in NYC, The Beauty Bar. This is a place where you can have a martini and a manicure for $15 bucks. I have spent many a night wasted on 14th street after a crapload of drinking. One of my finest memories lives right outside of my favorite haunt's doors. Preface: This interaction occurred with a good friend of quite some time, he shall remain nameless.....

Drunk ME: So, you want to come back to my place?
Straight Dude: Um. I don't think I do that anymore, you're very handsome but....
Drunk ME: It's okay...
Straight Dude: I mean if you knew me in college...
Drunk ME: Can I be honest for a minute? The only reason why I'm friends with you is cause i thought one day we'd f*ck.
Straight Dude: Meaning?
Drunk ME: Lose my number.

....any mother would be proud of me, no?.

Anyways, I was wary as to whether or not I could enjoy dancing my ass off without the "liquid devil" (thanks WB for that) . Let me just tell you that my neck is so sore, my feet in blisters....cause I was a dancing fool and had the time of my life. Beauty Bar still has the best DJ's that hook you up!

And what did it cost me? 2 Diet Cokes and a Water = FREE plus a $3 tip. This morning, no hangover, and no hangover poop ("WHAT DID I EAT LAST NIGHT?!?!?!").

Sans drink, I still found myself dancing on a table...
and getting yelled at by the bartender seconds after the photo was taken.

DAY 5: MAKE MUSIC [Strike up the Band!]

Now this isn't a new for me, it's something I've done my entire life. But MUSIC is in all of us. Learn an instrument, hit up a free concert in the park, go to a karaoke bar, join a crowd and sing campfire songs. I promise, it is a language we all know how to speak.

My band, The Argyle Effect, started over a night of dick jokes and a keyboard. Now, we have toured the country, competed on MTV, and on our way to recording a SERIOUS (hah!) new album. The band consists of Patrick Gaughan (Guitar), Tim McKiernan (Drums), and Ryan Spitz (Bass). Last night we played a show at famed Arlene's Grocery!

The best part of the night wasn't the music, but rather what the music did. It brought out all of our friends and family for a LATE LATE Night on a Tuesday Evening! We are so thankful to be so loved. I hope everyone had a blast!

Headling at Arlene's Grocery 6-30-09

Patrick thanks nice muscle dude for coming.

Tim and super fan and friend, Julia! Love this girl!

The band was bought beers mid-set. I enjoyed my water!

I threaten to kiss Pat in the middle of our show at least 3 times.
One day, you're going down Mr. Gaughan.

Here's to the Ladies Who Lunch...

and here's to the beginning of MetroLUCIDITY.....cheers.

PREFACE:

Let me be very clear in saying that this blog does not condemn drinking, smoking, or anything else. It's just here to document my travels, as a young gay man trying to live my own life without those things. My hopes are to find others within the LGBT community interested in a substance-free lifestyle and beginning a social/support network for those actively trying to find happiness without drugs and alcohol.

WHY?

After a night of drinking, I usually find myself checking drunken texts, drunk dials, drunk facebook messages, and the photos on my Iphone. Here are a couple photos I found....

Good for warming up the vocal chords. Right guys?

The morning after: Pissed off and a hot mess.

Case in point, I often times don't remember what I had done the night before. My nights are full of reckless decisions. Although there may be some great unfettered dancing, a bunch of Facebook adds of people I don't remember and would unlikely to talk to again, and lots of $ poorly spent..... I usually have nothing to show for it! And the sacrifice is worse than the hours spent out, but usually at least an entire half day of haziness the day after!

WHAT NOW?!

As of 12:07 am June 27, 2009.....Kelvin Moon Loh has ordered his last glass of wine! Or at least I'm going to try. Here have been my past ordering trends:

• 1 Glass of Red Wine [a glass of red wine is good for you]
• 1 Glass of cheaper Red Wine [convince the waitress that you actually prefer the taste of cheaper]
• 1/2 Carafe of Wine [Hell, why not?]
• 2 for 1 Beers [1 for $5, 2 for $10....sounds like a good deal at the time]
• Large order of Fries [Cheese if available]
• $1 PBR [Now I'm broke and drunk]
• Shots [Convince some poor fool to buy me shots, usually myself]
• 1 Sugar-free Red Bull [As if sugar-free is going to help at this point}
• $50 liquor tab of who knows what....
• Halal Street Meat Food. [I consider it a nightcap]

You get the point. Now imagine this 3 to 4 nights a week. Holy! No more I tell you!

WISH ME GOOD LUCK:

Day One, so this might be the biggest challenge. NYC is full of people who don't require designated drivers. Hopefully I will find the strength!