The cat is sort of out of the bag since I posted a link to the blog to Facebook. Nearly all of my friends were blindsided by the whole idea. I didn’t really talk about the whole drinking thing with anyone before I decided to do it. Some of the comments are interesting. Here are a few examples:

“i would like to help in anyway possible :D” -Bobby

“ummm… is this a good idea? Christian drinking? I am not sure if I should be really scared” -Gordon

“Please don’t take any tips from Britt.” -Lauren (Britt’s wife)

“about damn time!” -Josh

The reactions are mixed. Some of my friends think it’s the worst idea I’ve ever had. Most of them really want to get me drunk. I’m trying to figure out which group should be considered better friends of mine.

I’m not going to lie. I spent most of today having second thoughts.

Tuesday night Mary, Nathan and I walked across the Brooklyn Bridge and then went to Double Down. The plan was for Double Down to be the place where I’d have my first drink.

Mary and Nathan ordered and then looked at me with little smiles on their faces. The very cute bartender raised her eyebrows at me and said “Anything for you?”

In an instant I had a million thoughts go through my head. I was tired from going over the bridge and being out all night, and I had to work in the morning. I hesitated and then said “No, I’m okay.”

I wanted the first drink to be something special. I really wish we did it at midnight on Monday. Drinking is such a social thing. I had this idea of a big event happening but the moment never appeared. Today was the same story. Nathan had the excellent idea of going to see Stomp - which was awesome - and then we wandered around the city a bit in the rain. I was tired again, and wet, and I needed to be up in the morning. Sitting in a bar in the corner with Nathan sipping on some cocktail for the first time just didn’t seem … right.

I don’t know how you guys do it. It seems like everyone else just sidles up to the bar, orders their favorite and then it’s parties galore until sunrise. What’s holding me back?

I’m open to more tips and advice from friends and strangers alike. What should I do, world?

Email me at: christian (the at symbol) 30daysofdrinking.com