On Not Drinking

I’ve been in Austin for over a week now, playing and partaking in SXSW. This is my fourth year to attend, but my first to attend as a teetotaler: that’s right, I haven’t drank a drop of alcohol this year. Normally, SX is a time of free parties, free booze, free food, and serendipitous finds and friends. For another forum I can talk about the changes that have taken place in the festival itself, here I shall address the changes that take place when you’re not drinking.

Nothing is as fun.

Which isn’t really true, except to say that parties that only seemed fun because you felt like you were getting something special (a free drink!!) don’t seem as fun, and parties and encounters that are fun because you are getting something special (a free haircut from my “brother”, a tattooed Vinnie who has his own Hollywood barbershop and TV show) or meeting someone special.

Also, I long ago turned into a drink snob (no, I don’t drink well liquor. no, I don’t want a PBR but thanks), and I rarely forget that. This is a reminder: just because it’s free doesn’t mean it’s delicious.

I mean, I’m not permanently off the wagon or anything. But it has been over a month since I’ve had a drop to drink, and it’s afforded me a little clarity: I do NOT ever NEED a drink. Not after a long day, not after quitting my job, not for liquid courage. I can deal with all things without a drink. Are drinks tasty and delicious? Yes. Do I like sometimes feeling artificially relaxed? Yes. But do I NEED it? Hell no.

There’s something about the freedom to choose that’s so powerful. I choose to imbibe or no. I choose to eat starch or sugar or no.

It’s Day 36 of the HCG diet, which means day 11 of strict primal. It’s not easy, but it’s NOT hard either. I have been really hungry, but I’ve also been ramping up the intensity of my workouts since I get to work out with other people … boy do I miss it. Working out with other people that is. For the hunger, I’ve just been slamming nuts and protein like they’re going out of style while being conscious of getting enough veggies (ususally a giant salad from my parents’ house … they have the best fixins’!).