I was right.

Last week, I told you that I believed that I had made the switch from party animal to former party animal. I also said that I might not make it all the way, as I had friends coming to town who are notorious for being party animals. The stars just weren't behind one of their trips, so they stayed in their respective city, the other, however, was here. So, let me recap the weekend, and we'll decide together whether or not I am still the party animal that I think I am.

Friday I went out with co-workers downtown to celebrate my co-workers eminent departure from our hallowed halls. During the day, one of our supervisors went to lunch, which included a game of Golden Tee. I, having spent so much time in bars over the last 13 years or so, have learned almost every bar room "sport" that there is. I am no slouch at pool, a fairly good dart player, a very good pinball player, and yes, a reasonably good player of Golden Tee. I remember living in NYC years ago, and going to this hole in a hole in a hole in the wall in Brooklyn with a buddy and playing GT 98 for hours.

Anyways, our supervisor wanted to play some more Golden Tee, and suggested a Pro (one of our platforms) vs Express (the platform I support) game. I backed up the bet, knowing that I have some skills, calling for a skins game with shots. This was acceptable to everyone. Fortunately for the Pro people, that bet didn't happen. Myself and Express co-worker B, who had never played before, whooped ass. Of course, my hole-in-one on the 17th probably helped.

After all that, I headed back home so I could sober up and make the show I was supposed to go to. Alas, I didn't make it. After an exhausting week and some power drinking, I stayed in, watched movies, and went to bed. By watched movies, I should say I attempted to watch movies. I put in Dead Man, the Jim Jarmusch Western. I've seen a few of his movies, but this one really bored the living shit out of me. I just couldn't get into it, and turned it off after about 45 minutes or so. So much for that.

Saturday, I had been asked to help my friend A move a big-screen TV from her mom's house to her house, which required quite a lot of physical work on my part, rewarded by a lovely breakfast and 3 pints of Guinness. It was myself, A, and her boyfriend I, who matched my Guinness intake. I had previously met him, but didn't have much of a chance to talk to him. He and I have quite a lot in common, so we hit if off spectacularly. He is a Psych professor and counselor, so we got to talking shop, including talking about lucid dreaming. It was nice to talk with someone so well versed in what I almost made my life's work, very refreshing.

I had intended on spending my Saturday afternoon grocery shopping and doing the ever-mounting pile of laundry. Needless to say, I didn't get these things done. I did, however, get to the Osco for some needed supplies. That's when my friend D called, letting me know she was on her way to pick me up to start our evening of drinking and debauchery. The time? 4:02 PM.

I stalled, as I needed a shower and was still at Osco. She picked me up at about 5:15, we were at the Irish Oak by 5:40. My fourth Guinness of the day was consumed by 6. This was the first of many. We were at the Oak for a couple hours, chatting with an old friend who was bartending, then left for the Nisei Lounge for some pool and to partake of one of the best jukeboxes in the city. We played pool for shots, and D and I won repeatedly, until, of course, the shots took their toll, after which we pretty much gave up.

D, by the way, it probably the prettiest girl I know. By prettiest, I mean, conventionally pretty. I find beauty in almost all women, but I have tastes that don't necessarily follow the norm. D is extremely attractive, with blonde hair and pretty blue eyes (what is it with me and blue eyes lately?). She has a very attractive body as well, and is usually the center of attention for every horny guy in any bar we go to. I like it, because I'm occasionally asked to play the jealous boyfriend and step in. I am not jealous, nor am I her boyfriend (aside from some serious flirting, kissing and random petting, we've never hooked up) but I'm happy to help out when necessary. I can also be pretty menacing when I need to be.

So, we partied there for a while, then went up to Gio's for some karaoke, the first time I've gone out for karaoke since I was partying Canadian style with Sass and the Redhead and her husband, the illustrious Accordion Guy (whose post of Scorched Earth made me so happy I could cry). A first happened. I had requests. Me. People asked me to sing specific songs. This is new. I kinda like it.

My set list included the following (but, as usual, is incomplete):
Stuck in the Middle with You by request.
Draggin' the Line with D.
Wish You Were Here for a certain someone on my mind.
Folsom Prison Blues Johnny Cash was requested of me, I chose the song, though.
I Wanna Be Sedated C introduced it as "this should be really fucking good..."
Every Rose Has Its Thorn by request to finish the night's karaoke.

I also sang with the KJ, C, and his roommate Y. We call ourselves DYC. We did at least 3 songs, but I can only remember doing Down on the Corner. I know we did a Journey song, but I can't remember which one.

Sunday, I woke up bright and early, and pissed that I didn't sleep in. I haven't stayed out that late in a while. I needed a shower, as I smelled like an ashtray from the previous night, and I went to the Globe for my football game, then headed home, did laundry, and camped out for the night, ending a fabu weekend of proving to myself that I am still, whether I like it or not, a party animal, just not as much as I used to be.