Another Friday evening and what’s to do? I could go out to a bar or club (do those still exist?) maybe a movie I’ll end up walking out of because it’s awful. So many choices.When I was younger, therewas always a group that would meet at one place or another after wor some adult beversges and, of course food. As usual though, the beverages ended up outpacing the fare and instead of being smart and tsking a cab home, we’d all drive, mostly alone, t oue various home for the evening.

What’s odd is that in thoe days, nne of us were ever pulled over for drinking while driving. None. Things changed overtime and driving while under the influence of anything, including the radio, became a mortal sin and more and more cities, of all sizes, began setting up checkpoints to look for those that were inebriated. In some cities, like the one I lived in, they even published the intersections where the police and sheriff deputies would be stationed. Of course, people avioded those intersections if they were over the limit, and others jut because of the traffic jam that incurred.

Of course there were checkpoints that were not published, that moved around the city every couple of hours and so it mattered little trying to avoid law enforcement. Sooner or later you would have a good chance of coming under their gaze. That’s when it became simpler to have parties at home, a monthly gathering, at each others homes, with each person bringing food, home cooked or take out, and the host that month providing a main course, maybe some home barbecued ribs, or a fried turkey. When each person entered, they dropped their keys in a basket at at the end of the night, it was up to the host who could drive home or be forced to cab, or call someone to pick them up. otherwise, they stayed over, on the couch or spare bedroom. A way to imbibe, have fun with friends, and stay out of the klink. Oh. Wives and girlfriends were invited as well.

Tonight I’ll st here and probably watch a movie or two. I have several of the streaming services to choose from so I may be disappointed on one, but am sure to find something that won’t bore me too much as to walk out on it (turn it off).