Contact buzz

I went to a friend’s 50th birthday party last night. It was held at an outside bar/restaurant right on the water, so the setting was lovely, especially as the sun sank ever lower, providing deepening shades of pinks, purples, reds and oranges.

The people were lovely too. Although I did not know over half of the people in attendance, I knew they were dear to my friend, and therefore, by association, good people and just, as yet, unmet friends of mine too.

Everyone was mingling, chatting, drinking and noshing.

Good people, good setting, delicious libations.

Okay, well, not my libation, it was an O-Douls non-alcoholic beer, which was not very good. I actually like some of the other brands, but this one was, well, not so good, making it easy to set it down and happily drink water for the duration.

The funny thing about drinking water while at an event where seemingly everyone else is throwing a few back, is that you clearly witness the shift in mood. The whole environment changes from just-got-off-of-work-lets-order-that-first-cocktail-RIGHT-NOW mode to we’re-feeling-pretty-good-here-relaxing mode, to, finally, we’re-half-cocked-and-having-a-ball mode.

It’s actually a joy to behold. And although you’re sober, everyone else, in their increasingly inebriated state, thinks you’re right there with them. They’re divulging things they normally wouldn’t, they’re telling you how great life is, they’re feeling your pregnant belly.

It’s a blast. They take you right there with them, to that celebratory, somewhat drunk, joy-filled state.

And you know the best part of being the one with the contact buzz?

You drive home safely and don’t have the slightest hangover in the morning.