Happy Hour Friday is a thing I’ve been doing ever since the COVID pandemic, or Friday the 6th of March, 2020. Today will be #197. We’ve only missed seven dates in the four years. It’s part of my therapy – my treatment plan. 🙂 Happy Hour Friday falls under “taking care of yourself.” Which Psych-girl usually signs off with. Of course, another part of my ITP (individual treatment plan) is “don’t drink too much.” Let’s get into it.
Friday
was typically the end of the work week in America. That is “was” because things have changed. What’s changed is work. Work now can be 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Because of Globalization, the Internet, and the Pandemic’s shut-down. Additionally, the speed of life now. Because of the aforementioned, and technology in general. However, we humans are creatures of habit. Especially of habits that bring us relief. Overdone – such habits become addictions.
Nevertheless, if managed, the Pleasure Principle can be a part of taking care of oneself. 🙂
I like to drink. So does my friend Dennis. When we started this ritual he was still working (in construction in SoCal). Our Happy Hour Friday’s started by what Psych-girl calls a “happy accident”. Dennis’s wife just happened to upgrade his flip phone to an iPhone at that time; and Facebook’s Facetime was becoming a thing because of the Pandemic.
He and I have been friends since college. Since 1968. However, we did lose touch for a decade or so. You know how it goes. Right?
So there was a confluence of events, happy accidents? that led us to Happy Hour Friday! Without it, I’d be seriously adrift. It gives me something to look forward to. It keeps me, not only connected, but grounded. We’re 1000 miles apart and yet … it might even be better* this way.
My Day
is usually uneventful. I’m retired, as is Dennis now. But he still showers at the end of the day, after “work?” and before Happy Hour. Because it’s a big deal. Like a date. Like going into town. Me?
Mostly, I was a shower-before-work dude. Funny how those habits remain with us.
This Friday, as usual, I took a walk. And lo! the magpies were having a meeting.
With all the science, study, etc. and so on – nobody can explain animal behavior like this. Including our own.
In Conclusion
I’m getting excited for Happy Hour! Just to check in with my friend. How was your day? your week? What’s going on? Just like sessions with Psych-girl. But for free!
Take care of yourself.
Cheers.
* better
Better because: 1) there’s no driving 2) Can’t get into a bar fight 3) you can leave anytime [and blame it on a wifi glitch] 4) bed is just a few steps away 5) no chance of having sex w/a stranger. In other words, you are in almost complete control w/o the risk of harm. [If you live alone.]
Those are the only conditions under which I drink more than just one to be social. My Friday night best friend lives 30 minutes away, and while we used to meet up at a Mexican restaurant we have taken to just meeting at my house. The drink are cheaper and we don’t have to wait. Besides, my back patio is pretty awesome! Cheers!
Sounds great! Nothing quite like a best friend, a whiskey, and a back patio w/a view. My father’s last station was Dallas/Fort Worth (1972) where I visited w/wife#1. Like here, it’s probably grown a lot since then. There was much doomsday-ing back in the 70’s. However, here in the USA the air, water, and greenspaces are all much better. Cheers!
And but so, last week I had the pleasure of a visit from my buddy from SoCal, my Happy Hour partner. Along with his wife. We had, of course, a great time. First we did a sober lunch out at a local restaurant, his cousins, then returned to my apartment for Happy Hour. More like three, hours. His wife drove and didn’t drink so that was cool. Which she is, too. ~ Drinking with friends is the original, classic, quintessential therapy. 🙂
2025 update. I got sick around Christmas and have quit the whiskey for 21 days now. However, I still showed up for Happy Hour. Not nearly as much fun; but still necessary to keep my spirits up. Gonna hit in a few hours, try a little whiskey this time. Chase these blues away. 2025 has been a bummer so far. got to turn this thing around.