So Friday night, I met up with a few friends at Dexter's, in Thornton Park, for a couple of drinks. I usually don't make my way around that area, but decided to, on account of bidding farewell to our friend Joe, who's moving to Tampa. It's kind of ironic that a few weeks back, we were welcoming Carlo back to town, and now this week another friend is moving out. Guess it's like that saying: "For every person who dies, another is born." Oh Life! You and your silly games. Anyway, we started with a few drinks at Dexter's and soon migrated over to Burton's, to switch it up, since we hardly drink in that area. Around midnight, everyone started to bail and head home. WTF?! We only started drinking around 9:30pm and I wouldn't even consider it heavy, "Let's get wasted", drinking at all. What a tease? It's like only sticking in the tip! I know we're all older now and don't drink as much as we used to, but give me a fucking break. We were mostly drinking beers for Christ sake and only had a round of shots. Come on! It's not like we were all recovering from a rough night of drinking, the night before. I tried my feeble attempt to coax a few friends to stick around, but to no avail. It's bad enough we only go out drinking once a week, but to call it a short night, really blows. I didn't plan to get completely wasted, but to at least stay out a little longer, since I hardly go out anymore. Sometimes I think, I need to make new friends.
In my mind, there was no way I was calling it a night, especially that early. Seeing that both establishments were pretty dead and filled with douche bags, I decided to make my way downtown. Just me, myself and I. I hoped to run into someone I knew, so that I wouldn't look like a complete alcoholic, drinking by myself at the bar. My first stop, Matador. I had a beer and caught up with my friend Christina, who bar tends there. I really like the place. Everyone who works there is madd cool and super friendly. Plus the place doesn't get really crowded, like most bar in the area. Also, my friend Eric offered to give me one of his old decks to mess around with, so I didn't have to buy a complete, new set. Cool! Luckily, making my way upstairs, I ran into my friend Leo. We talked for a bit. My plan was to finish off my night at BBQ Bar and hopefully meet up with Celina. I haven't really seen her since Nicole came down to visit, which was in March. Considering it was almost 1am, I downed my beer and said my good-byes.
Like any typical weekend, downtown was riddled with the same crowds of people, drinking their cares away into complete oblivion. So why not join them, right? I made my way down the crowded streets of Orange Ave. and finally made it to my final destination. Final destination? I don't like the sound of that. It sounds like a resting place to die and stay for eternity, which wouldn't be too bad of a place to spend it, minus the cigarette smoke. Anyway, I cut the stupid line to get into BBQ, and was greeted warmly by Elvis aka Jeb, the bouncer. There's just something about the place that makes me feel accepted and right at home. Maybe it's the tattooed patrons, indie/hip-hop music, or just the foul stench of cigarette smoke, that make feel comfortable when I'm there. Even though it's become over populated with bros on the weekends, I still consider it Orlando's only, dive bar. Don't get me wrong, I've done my share of partying it up at nice clubs. As I got older, I was tired of wearing dress shirts and nice shoes, just to go out drinking at some mediocre night club. I was more comfortable wearing a t-shirt and kicks at a local bar. Anyway, everything worked out, since I ran into Celina and Justin. She introduced me to her friend Beth, who just got a super rad hair cut. It looked really cute on her. We drank till the lights came on and they had to kick us out. I love shutting places down. Stupid Orlando and it's 2pm drinking law!
If there's any moral to this stupid story, it's to never give up. I could've easily gone home after Burton's, since I had no one to drink with, but I was determined to enjoy the rest of the night and made the best of it. True, my so-called determination was fueled by alcohol, but generally speaking, I refused to give in. As I've gotten older, I've learned to not stress myself out, with situations I can't control. In my mind, everything happens for a reason. I just try to make the best of the cards, that I've been dealt. You can either fold or continue to play. In the end, it all worked out. Even though I spent the majority of my Saturday recovering, it was well worth it. I like to tell people: "When all seems lost, there is always hope."
On a side note, I got high last night and decided to watch "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". Definitely a good call. I've been meaning to see it, since it was written by one of my favorite authors, F. Scott Fitzgerald. Overall, it was a great adaptation of the short story.
Well hopefully, everyone had a lovely weekend. If not, maybe this will cheer you bastards up. Look, it's a Red Panda! I want one so bad.
-Signing off from the trenches-
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