My married friends and their husbands often think of me as a wild child. I think that's only really because I'm not married and have more time to go out and be social. However, I am not a drunk. I have always been the friend that turns into Team Mom when I notice one of my friends starting to get a little out of control. That isn't to say that I have never been, or won't get drunk in the near future. But I always, always have control of the situation I am. No one has ever carried me out of a bar, or lost me in a crowd, or had to baby-sit me. (Okay one time I was carried out of a bar because I had fallen and broken my leg, but that's neither here nor there!) Perhaps it's because I am an anxious person by nature, and am always thinking ahead. If I'm at a party and the wine is flowing, I am thinking about how I'm going to get home safely. Did I drive to this party? Do I need to call a cab? If I cannot safely walk home or get a cab, then I do not over-indulge. I don't want anyone else to feel responsible for me, or feel like a party host has to offer me their couch or guest room. Sometimes I wish I could live the life of not caring like so many folks, and just go wherever the wind or the wine takes me. But I am a worrier. There are definitely some nights with the bestest of friends where 12:00 am turns into 4:00 am quicker than you can say "Grab me another glass!" And there have been many nights of sleeping on my BFF's couch because the night turned into morning and we had over-served ourselves. Those nights are sometimes the best, and we definitely won't be driving anywhere.
My house is on the Uptown parade route, so my car will not leave my street for the next 7-8 days. Therefore, I am free to over-indulge if I so wish. I simply walk outside to catch all of the great parades, and then walk down the street to a handful of neighborhood bars and restaurants if I choose to keep the party going. That doesn't mean I can completely let my guard down however. Ladies and gents, I hope you always know to be completely aware of your surroundings when you go out with friends. Don't walk anywhere alone at night, and always keep tabs on your friends. Don't let strangers bring you drinks. If someone offers to buy you a drink, walk up to the bar with them. Not every man is going to put a rufie in your drink, but it only takes one creepy man to ruin the evening. I feel like these are things we all know, but we all tend to let our guard down when we are having fun.
Also, don't be "that guy." You know that guy. We've all seen that guy, and may have even been that guy before. Don't ruin everyone else's evening by getting wasted and slurring, stumbling and puking. We all know our limits. When you feel yourself starting to get close to your limit, stop drinking! Drink some water and have a snack. You don't have to stop having fun, just stop being an asshole. That guy/girl tends to ruin more of my evenings that I care to admit. Team Mom here can't just let 'em go and make fools of themselves. I simply cannot have fun when someone is at the point of hurting themselves or others. I can't tell you how many times I've snuck keys away, or called roommates to come get the drunk. I have an air mattress at my house that tends to get used more often than I care for because I cannot simply let someone get in their car in that state. I'm not saying you can't go get drunk and have time of your life, just be smart about it. Be responsible for yourself, watch out for others, and mind your manners!
Here are a few Mardi Gras tips for any new guests we have in our city this year:
1. Do not snatch beads or throws away from children. In fact, give your throws to the kids next to you. We're talking cheap plastic toys, people. What are you going to do with them when you get home? I can remember as a kid, getting home and spreading out our loot and playing with all the fun toys and beads!
2. If you're going to smoke, step away from the front of the parade. Walk back to the sidewalk away from the kids. Not everyone enjoys cigarettes.
3. Drink responsibly. Despite what you hear on TV, Mardi Gras is a family event. Don't ruin some poor kid's night by being a drunk asshole. Save that crap for the after party at Ms. Mae's!
4. Respect the marching bands and dance crews. Do not throw things at them or try and touch their instruments.
5. Don't run out in front of the floats to grab a throw. They are heavy, and usually driven by tractors. These tractors cannot slam on their brakes, and these floats will hit you.
6. Do not throw things back at the floats! Why do people do this? I got smacked in the head by a pair of beads this past Saturday when I was riding. I threw them back with all the force I had and hit that douche right in the forehead. And he deserved it.
7. Have fun! Carnival season is one of the coolest things to see in person. So many people put forth a lot of time and effort to make this an amazing few weeks.
Laissez les bon temps rouler!
