(IJCH) Remembering the First Time I Got Drunk...

in #powerhousecreatives5 years ago (edited)

(IJCH) Remembering the First Time I Got Drunk...

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IJCH - Inside JaiChai's Head

(Meaning: My Warped, Personal Opinions and Musings)

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From the Author:

Salutations.

I am JaiChai.

And if I haven't had the pleasure of meeting you before, I'm delighted to make your acquaintance now.

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I invite you to interact with everyone, learn, and have as much fun as possible!

For my returning online friends, "It's always great to see you again!"

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Background:

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It was Wednesday.

On Wednesday nights around 8:00pm, I usually drink beer and sing karaoke with my friends at the local restobar - usually until the place closes after midnight.

But on this particular Wednesday, I did something different.

At 6:30pm, I felt like getting a run in before meeting my buddies later.

While running and listening to an interesting audiobook, I kinda lost track of time. Before I knew it, my watch's display showed that I had been running for over an hour.

That's when I thought it best to turn around immediately and head back home.

I returned home at 8:20pm to find my barely-legal-drinking-age daughter with some of her friends dancing in the living room, taking selfies, and drinking my Rhum.

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Everyone froze in their tracks when they saw me.

They looked like a bunch of department store mannequins that some lame employee had displayed in a totally unnatural or ridiculously awkward pose.

I wanted to bust out laughing, but didn't want to "break character".

(Most normal parents who discover that a party was going on in their own living room without their knowledge would be quite perturbed, to say the least.)

To me, it really wasn't such a big deal. But I didn't want them to know that just yet.

Methodically, in "Spock-like fashion"; that is, with one eyebrow up, I stared at each person directly in the eye.

(BTW, you can't stare directly into both eyes of anyone. Try it. It's impossible.)

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Upon making eye contact, most of them had their mouths open, looking completely guilty. A couple seconds later, they immediately turned their gaze to the floor.

The only exception was my daughter. I think she knew I was just jerking all of their chains a bit. But she played along quietly.

Judging by their expressions and actions, I guess they thought I was pretty angry.

Someone turned off the music. Many began cleaning up and carrying their half-full glasses to the kitchen sink.

When they started gathering up their belongings, I said, "Y'all don't have to spoil your fun just because I'm here."

There was an audible "group sigh".

"In fact, after a quick shower, I'm back out the door to the restobar downtown. If you want to stay, I only have two rules: #1. My daughter is in charge and responsible for all that happens. Period. If anyone doesn't do what she says, I will instantly hear about it. And believe me, if I have to come home early, I will be royally pissed! Understand me?"

(Silent nods from everyone.)

I finished with, "And rule #2. You break it, you bought it!"

I turned to my daughter and she gave me a thumbs up. And with big smiles, everyone else gave me a thumbs up too.

At the restobar, I received a text from my daughter: "Some of my friends asked if it was okay to sleep over. Is it OK?"

I texted back: "Fine with me, but same rules apply. It's up to you. Oh, and BTW, make sure it's okay with their parents first. Have fun and be safe. I should be home a little after midnight. I think? Love you, Dad."

After Effects

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I woke up the next morning to the sound of the girls in the restroom "praying to the porcelain God".

It was sort of a surreal sight.

All three of them were kneeling around the toilet bowl like it was a sacred alter.

As if on cue, one by one, each of them would take turns hugging the toilet bowl and puke violently enough to produce tears.

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Then there was the mad grab for someone else's T-shirt to use as a makeshift barf rag!

Ironically, in the moments when they weren't heaving, they still managed to poke and giggle at each other.

(Strange bonding ritual, no?)

"Everyone going to live?," I asked.

All of them, including the one currently with her head down the toilet, gave me a thumbs up.

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As I walked to the kitchen to make my morning coffee, I thought of my youth; particularly, the first time I felt like those who were currently having a vomit-fest in my daughter's bathroom.

The First Time I Got Drunk

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Even at 56+ y/o, I can still remember the first time I got drunk.

I was about 12 and a half y/o and working (illegally) as a busboy for a catering service that was hired for a wedding.

After the event was over and the guests went home, I and the other staff found a couple of overlooked, unopened crates of very expensive Champagne!

(I remember thinking, "Expensive? This tastes like ginger ale.")

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Not wanting to be a coward and of course, also trying to conceal my age, I joined the rest of the staff in consuming all that "Choice Alcohol".

My After Effects

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Unfortunately, the next morning I found myself extremely hungover, in church, and listening to my Dad delivering the Sunday sermon.

(Thank the Lord Buddha that I was far enough away from the pulpit that he didn't see me.)

I spent the whole time either leaning forward with my forehead buried into the back of the front pew or hugging the back of mine - all the while popping tic-tac breath mints into my mouth and thinking - no wishing. that I would pass out, puke, or die!

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My mother thought I was just sick with the flu and would affectionately rub my back every few minutes.

Seated on my right was my older sister.

Knowing that I was not sick, but simply hungover from working the wedding, she took much pleasure in viciously (and repeatedly) kicking my ankle whenever she thought I was going to doze off!

My ankle was black and blue for over a week.

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I don't know how, but I made it through that service and the afternoon without throwing up on anybody.

And in spite of my lifelong insomnia, I believe that I slept like a baby that night...

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Imagine that?

By JaiChai

Really Appreciate You Stopping By.

Truly hope to see you again!

And if you liked my post, kindly Upvote, Comment, Follow, and Resteem.

About the Author

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Believing that school was too boring, he dropped out of High School early; only to earn an AA, BS and MBA in less than 4 years much later in life – while working full-time as a Navy/Marine Corps Medic.

In spite of a fear of heights and deep water, he performed high altitude, free-fall parachute jumps and hazardous diving ops in deep, open ocean water.

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After 24 years of active duty, he retired in Asia.

Since then, he's been a full-time, single papa and actively pursuing his varied passions (Writing, Disruptive Technology, Computer Science and Cryptocurrency - plus more hobbies too boring or bizarre for most folk).

He lives on an island paradise with his teenage daughter, longtime girlfriend and three dogs.

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"Power House Creatives - Superlative Member Support and the Supreme Welcome Party for all new Steemians!" - JaiChai

(More articles by JaiChai can be found on the Busy.org website. Use this link to visit Busy.org. Better yet, come join the Busy.org community!)

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"My mind was a terrible thing to waste..." - JaiChai

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Nice to see this good post. I am glad to have you called me to look at it.

Hello!

This post has been manually curated, resteemed
and gifted with some virtually delicious cake
from the @helpiecake curation team!

Much love to you from all of us at @helpie!
Keep up the great work!


helpiecake

Manually curated by @priyanarc.

haha, such a good story! I am kind of excited about when my son reaches that age (well he is only 4 so that will hopefully be a while! 😂). It will probably be dreadful, but fun too!

I think most of us would have that kind of puking experienced once in their lifetime. No regrets!

You are one cool dad that I would say. I could only imagine the look on their faces when you showed up. Loved the story of your first time and a good story to tell during a drinking session. As I recall my first time was an uncomfortable experience.

This is relatable hahahaha

Oh, what a great story! I can just imagine the looks on the faces when you came home early! LOL! Thanks for sharing this delightful recounting of events for us! 😁