It seemed like a really good idea at the time.
Take all of July off from drinking.
I'm doing the play (shameless plug alert) "Dead White Males" at the Genesian Theatre on the weekends. Nearly half of drinking time gone right there. And since I'm between work contracts, I can save some cash by not going out during the week. Reason number 3, I can raise some money for the Prince of Wales Hospital Fund for Cancer patients.
After 10 days, I realise just how much alcohol is part of my social life and especially the Australian culture. July 2, play performance finishes at 10.30 pm: Hey Jules, we're off to the pub. "Sorry, I'm not drinking." On the third and fourth, I was lucky enough to have two passes "purchased" for me. These "Golden Tickets" allow the participant to celebrate a special occasion (July 4) in exchange for a $25 donation.
So far, these are my only donations. People paying so that I can drink with them. Sad.
This is really hard. My friends like to go for beers after work. They have wine with dinner. They celebrate, well, everything with a rousing toast! Sporting events are an excuse to pop open a few cold ones. Barbecues, dinners out, parties, farewell events all accompanied by an alcoholic beverage.
Dry July has made me a social leper.
Other than that, I feel fine. I don't need a drink. I just feel weird not being able to have one when everyone else does. It's a "not fair" attitude or "Why me?" question.
I'm doing this so that I know that I can. To let myself and alcohol know that I am the master. I think I will be able to pace myself better come August.
Hopefully, I will get a few more donations. But if I don't, at least I will have the satisfaction of knowing that I can and did manage the better part of a month alcohol-free.
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