When I got to this country I would always go out at least once or twice a month on a quest of debauchery and alcohol fueled stupidity. I was always mad at myself or depressed by the situation that I was in. I would try to meet random women to get myself out of my funk but it never solved my problem. My problem was that I didn’t have any confidence and I was wearing the negative problems with my life on the outside. I expected the worst outcome in every situation.
We all went out last night to have a few drinks and we went to two different bars. In a departure from what I used to do, I wasn’t trying to drink to forget my middle name. I was out drinking to have fun with the people I know. It wasn’t about meeting girls or impressing anyone, it was about having a good evening. While at the first bar of the evening we all sat around and talked about well…. whatever. We moved on to the second bar that had a DJ that wasn’t playing the typical dance music and the vibe in the place was pretty good. We moved to a table that was by the DJ and right on the corner of the 10ft square dance floor. I was laughing and having a good time and my friends suggested that I get up and dance. At one time, I was so self conscious of my actions that I wouldn’t do it at all but now I realize I can have fun. I can dance like no one else is watching. So, I’m dancing with random girls out there that don’t seem to mind. I’m not drunk and not invasive; I’m trying to have a good evening.
A minute or two after I start dancing with a particular girl, a drink idiot decides that I am infringing on his manhood and territory and proceeds to hit me in the face a few times. In the past I would have attacked him with relentless fury and done so without remorse or regard for the consequences. I told him to calm down and be cool, I was out there to have a good evening. The people I was with wanted to beat the hell out of him. I wanted to break a few bones in his face but I decided it would be a poor choice. I am the zen master.
The bouncers immediately came over and I explained the situation and they immediately recognized I did nothing wrong and that I was in full control of the situation. They promised to remove the other guy from the bar if he caused any more trouble. The girl that el douche was with was annoyed with his actions. Women are capable of taking care of themselves and know how to say no when they don’t want to dance with a particular individual. As I was doing nothing inappropriate, he didn’t need to “protect” his territory.
Immediately after the incident I had more respect and admiration from almost everyone in the bar because I could keep my cool went it counted. I knew that even if I did beat the living hell out of that drunk fool that it wouldn’t really matter. I would be the one that would pay the consequences because I was out there as the ranking person in the group and I must lead by example. I knew that because I was sober and I’m well aware of how to break noses and eye sockets, the local constabulary would be less that impressed with my actions if I had started anything major. I was also aware that the major in my squadron would make sure that I didn’t PCS because he would probably try to give me an article 15 and make me an A1C again… I definitely wasn’t going down that path.
Later in the evening the girls that were out with us (all of whom were married). Were dancing and having a good evening when another guy did something that was completely inappropriate. Another one of my friends immediately moved to defend their honor. His actions were completely justified and he did nothing wrong. As typical, the other drunk bloke got his feelings hurt and wanted to defend his manhood. I got in the middle, found his sober friend, and patched things up. He knew I was fine when I wished him a Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a Merry Kwanzaa, and a Happy New Year. Again, when it got bad I proved myself to be the zen master.
The entire evening I went out with the mission to have fun and I found myself smiling most of the evening just because I was content with myself and where I was. In some ways, my hate with this country has had little to do with the actual country; my dislike for it was generated in part by my poor attitude. I did notice that I was smiling almost as much as I see my dad smile. I guess its not that bad of a thing.
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