I took a quick trip to NYC. While here, I went to see a new Broadway show called “If/Then” starring Idina Menzel. I laughed and cried so much. I thought it was a wonderful story and such a unique production. It deals with the choices we make in life. If we pick that option, where will it lead? Something simple like answering a phone call can change our destination. I pictured how the decision to have one drink could alter my future.

I related so much to the main character Elizabeth. A woman in her late thirties that overthinks everything. Always wondering “what if?” (The title to the opening song by the way.) It was about relationships and the difficulty of trying to figure out our lives. Plus, Ms Menzel has an amazing, powerful voice!

I walked around the city before the show taking photos. I was waking down one street and was snapping pictures of a liquor store window. A guy working inside came out. “You looking for locally made stuff? We got a whole section inside.” I told him no, actually I was taking the photo to write about the challenges of not drinking in New York City. (The idea of the blog until I saw the play.) We chatted a little about that challenge. He said “I can take it or leave it. I ride motorcycles. So I don’t even touch the stuff when riding.” I explained to him that I have less control. He told me at least the city has a lot of other things to offer. I agreed. He said “on this one block alone, there are two bubble tea shops! You don’t need a bar.” I didn’t bother to tell him the texture of bubble tea grosses me out.

I love New York and I love that I can now visit and remember all of my time there. Way too many blackouts in that city.

Mistake 170- I was living in New York and was out with friends. I met this gorgeous guy from Croatia or Serbia. He had a name that was difficult to spell. He had a great smile. He joined my friends and I at a club dancing. I don’t really remember but he and I kissed on the dance floor.

I woke up the next morning with a note next to my bed. He said I passed out so he left. I had my clothes on so guessed that I did not pass out during sex. I never saw him again. I think he went back to his country. I could look at so many of my blackouts and drunk nights as “what if I didn’t drink to that point?”