Sunday, July 29, 2007

Somehow we've all made it to 21.

I'm not really sure how it happened, but we've all made it. Thinking back to freshmen year in the dorms, I never thought the day would come when we would all be able to go the bar and drink legally.

Gone are the days of sneaking Karkov into our dorm room, taking two or three double shots of the disgusting vodka and chasing it with juice before heading out to some random house party.

Gone is the questioning of whether or not there will be something to do on a Friday or Saturday night; no more scrolling through our cell phones, hoping to find someone who will know of a house party that we can 'crash'. I don't even remember the last time I went to a house party, the bar has become our house party.

It's semi-pathetic that in the five months since my 21st birthday I've become a regular at a bar near my apartment. Granted, I did have a fake ID before but I only used it a handful of bars. I had never worked up the courage to step foot in my neighborhood bar but now, because of my status as a regular, I can't seem to leave. No matter what my plans are, I stop by. I know the bartenders by name, I have a favorite server, I even know the owner's son. It's getting to be a lot like Cheers--everyone who matters knows my name and if I need to, I can stop and use the bathroom after bar close on my walk home. It really is a beautiful relationship.

Life before 21 was a lot of fun. House parties, frat row--we were young and we could act stupid and no one could say anything. It is hard to truly comprehend our aging but it's wonderful to have my friends around me to remind me of the 'good old days', although I will never touch Karkov again, not even for money.. not even for Jason Bartlett's love. I don't miss having to find someone to buy me alcohol and I don't miss having to run from a party after the police come in order to miss out on getting a minor.

We out-grew our freshmen status and we've moved on to the next stage: Domestication.

I'm sure this one will be a toss up.

1 comment:

haasertime said...

just wait until you feel too lazy or cheap to go out drinkin. then you'll really be in trouble. i just turned 24 and i'm jaded to the bar scene already. i'm so cool.