Well, that was unexpected.

The legal drinking age in Australia is 18.

You can drive when you’re 16. You can sleep with someone, too, legally, but obviously, don’t do that at the same time you’re driving.

You are legally allowed to drive before you are legally allowed to drink. I guess that’s fair, given the amount of deaths that have occurred as a result of drink driving.

I’ve been learning to drive recently, thanks to James and my parents. Getting used to James’s smaller car has been far easier than mine, though I dare say I am beginning to get used to mine as well. When I am driving, I can’t imagine myself doing very much else other than concentrating on the road. I find it difficult to believe that people can use their phones to text people while they are actually moving and controlling their vehicle. Even eating seems a bit difficult. I just see it as very risky and unsafe.

We had a work party earlier this week to farewell our beloved little office by the water. I had too much to drink, so it’s fair to say I was drunk. It was the most brutal and unpleasant thing I have had to experience to date. Yes, even over colon issues and repeat episodes of salmonella poisoning. Simply imagining the taste of alcohol in my mouth is now petrifying and makes me nauseous. I threw up one too many times (it was disgusting) and eventually fell asleep, but aside from that, I got home in one piece. I honestly love everyone for taking care of me. I had a crap headache the next day, but naturally, it dissipated.

I actually felt awkward being offered drinks at the places I used to work. There would be celebrations for various events, but it just wasn’t my cup of tea. Drinking in my book, was next to foreign. I only had my first drink at 21 years of age. Super late to the party, I know. A lot of students seem to get smashed by the time they’re 17. It was only recently that I started to drink a bit more, not because I succumbed to peer pressure, but because I started not to mind the flavour, and I decided that I felt comfortable enough around my colleagues to drink. So yeah, you can assume that prior to this, I felt awkward about it.

I’d never been drunk before, actually. Just tipsy enough to stagger a bit while walking, but this time around, I was much worse. I used to be able to drink large amounts but I suppose I’ve changed. It doesn’t bother me, because there is no competition and no prize for whoever drinks the most.

Anyway Georgie, time to keep it classy, no more vodka lemonades. I didn’t do anything regrettable; just calling everyone “baby”, which isn’t regrettable at all. Screaming and shouting at people, but that’s almost the norm, given I’m a loud person. I notice that every time I drink, Tristan’s usually the one who I have asked to pick me up… but even more so, he seems to be the first person I text: “Hey I’m drinking, I’m so sorry in advance if I send anything stupid.”

I’m not sure why. It’s not that he’s the least forgiving. Maybe something in my head knows that I would drunk-text him first, but honestly, I never end up doing anything of the sort. Probably a reflex that prevents me from doing it.

But, anyway… my reason for not drinking before was, “I’m hyperactive without alcohol. So no.” My naturally energetic personality is enough for people. I’m sure of it.

I can’t remember what everyone else’s reason to drink was, but I frankly didn’t see the point.

I guess now, I’m back to that.