Is it possible? With the right, attitude: yes. Too many times in college have I not gone to a party because either a) I can’t get any alcohol or b) I can’t get drunk because of my pointless 8am basic studies course. Freshmen and sophomore year I tried to DD my friends and join them at the wild ragers no one wants to miss. However, I always failed to have a good time. I would either leave within 5 minutes due to being uncomfortable, tired, and annoyed. Or I would stick it out and be the party pooper of the night. All terrible options.
However, something remarkable happened just a few nights ago. My sorority was having an unofficial mixer with two fraternities that I totally wanted to mingle with. I had an 8am and a big project the next day, though. I was stumped. My sorority sisters told me to at least show up for a little while, so after entertaining the idea the entire day I made a spur of the moment decision and did the damn thing. Normally it would take me around an hour to prepare for such a début, but this evening I threw on the first patriotic colors I could find (it was an America themed mixer) and flew out the door.
I was at the pregame within 10 minutes, surrounded by drunk boys, and even drunker girls. The pregame was so hot that everyone was sweating, but outside was raining so we were trapped. Normally I would have left after making my rounds but a new attitude that I had never felt before flushed over me: I wanted to party … sober.
I stayed for the entire pregame. I laughed, I took pictures, and I observed. The only aspect of the pregame that I couldn’t handle was the drunk boys that would try to make conversation. That’s something I’ll always need to be loosened up for.
After the pregame, I drove four of my sisters to the mixer down at the beach bars. I told them I’d stay for 10 minutes and then I’d leave. Wrong. I danced, raged, and swung my hair around until 1:30am. The boy I had hooked up with the night before (we only hooked up because he looks like Edward Cullen) was there dancing on other girls. By no means did I have dibs on him but I was surprised I could handle the next day rejection without some alcohol in my system. He walked past me without hesitating to say ‘hey’ and I was miraculously able to do the same -while having a better time. I know for a fact I had a better time, too, after hearing his only hook up that night was with the town bike (everyone gets a ride).
I would have stayed longer but my little’s friend chipped her tooth on a beer bottle whilst trying to flirt with a guy who wasn’t her boyfriend. I reluctantly listened to her sob while driving her home.
It was literally incredible. Never in all my years did I think I could manage to have such a fun night surrounded by so many drunk college kids while stone cold sober. It’s definitely not something I’m prepared to do again anytime soon but I’m glad I know what I’m capable of –sober fun.
