Saturday nights in Suburbia

Usually my weekends are occupied with "us" time, but this weekend, I found myself in the posession of a other-halfless Saturday night. I was pretty excited at the prospect of hanging out with some pre-"marriage" drinking buddies, namely, my friend VodkaSoda.

I hadn't heard from VS in quite some time. I was pretty convinced that I wouldn't ever hear from him again, but then he called me out of the blue about a month ago.

VS has a alittle bit of a drinking problem. He has somehow managed to acquire four DWIs. Sometime last fall, he was stumbling around drunk in front of the recently aforementioned South Beach. I've seen VS stumble as he's been ridiculously intoxicated, and I'm not at all surprised that he managed to get slapped with violation for Public Intoxication. Aparently, getting a PI was in violation of his 10 years probation for his four DWIs, and a judge decided that he was a good candidate for a six-month "inpatient" program. (Read: inpatient = prison with group therapy)

Now VS is back out, and ready to begin his life anew. Not drinking is not an option, so he simply swore off vodka, and drinks things like beer and rum instead.

Tonight, we were supossed to meet and grab a drink for a fairly low-key night out. He called me at more or less noon, ready to begin the festivities. I had lots to do, but told him I'd call after 5 or so and meet up with him later, as we were supposed to hang out in the evening.

At 6-ish, I was headed down I-10 into town, and he informed me, somewhat slurrily, that they were at a bar in Montrose and I should come join them.

Upon arriving at the bar, I called again to verify that he was still at the bar he had mentioned to me. The conversion went as follows:

Me: "Hey!"

VS: "mumble mumble"

Me: "You there?"

VS: "Yea, I'mm shtill hurrr..."

Me: "So you're still at the same place?"

VS: "wull, I dunno where I wazsh when I talked to you.... but I think.... I've moved..."

Me: "So, where are you now?"

VS: "We're mumble mumble getting mumble eat."

Me: "That sounds like it's probably a pretty good idea."

VS: "Sho, mumble mumble coming?"

Me: "I think I'll pass. I'll talk to you later, VS."

VS: "K. Bye"

So I drove from the gay bar to the closest M.A.C. counter to get a lipglass replacement, and then came home. I was in my kitchen baking by 8.

I think things like this are why I primarily prefer solitude.