There were about ten of his coworkers, and they were all sufficiently smashed at this point. I was greeted warmly by all the fun-loving drunks, and his boss insisted that have some ouzo with her. I wasn�t going to turn away her offer, so I saddled up when the drinks arrived.

I�ve had ouzo before. I know that it�s generally served with ice and sipped slowly because it�s yummy. However, this was served shot-style, and she was ready to go.

When in Rome, heh?

Before we gave it a bottoms-up, she raised her glass for a toast.

�Here�s to you, here�s to me,

and if we ever disagree, FUCK YOU!�

And then she promptly slammed her ouzo and let out some uproarious laughter.

After my shot of ouzo and a little white wine that my friend�s boss� boss poured for me, we went to another bar near the hotel they�re staying in. Two Honkers pints later, we went to some jazz club. One Bell�s pint later, I noticed my friend had his head in his hands, so I escorted him back to his hotel lobby so I wouldn�t watch him puke on a bar�s floor.

I felt fine, and I slept the sleep of the gods.

This morning I drank the half bottle of water I always keep near my bed for occasions like these, and then got up, made my bed, and got ready for work.

I�ve rationalized that if you miss work because of your drinking, that�s a problem. So whenever there�s weeknight recreation, I ensure there�s no slacking with work stuff. I arrived about 20 minutes earlier than I usually do. Go me!�