Imperceptible morphication

Slowly, and I would argue imperceptibly, the social construct of our community is changing, notably as it relates to altered states of consciousness, and related social gatherings.

What I really mean is that folks don't drink like they used to, and the very fabric of our society is changed, and I say not in a good way.

I think we were better off as a community when there was more social drinking.
Much better in my pa's day, yep, that's for sure.

Just talk to the ol' timers. They'll tell you.
Many more memorable events, by their own recounting, involved a big piss-up.
And ain't that what it's all about? memories! The more the merrier.
Count me in.

Examples of the morphication abound.
Tonight's event a prime example, as I now relate.

The 52 Annual Ch. Acc't Dinner; this one at Bryston's on the invite of EMoles.
150 like suited souls, with hardly a wit of enthusiasm among them.
They oughta make having done a small doobie an entrance token.
Or at least a couple of stiff scotches. As was long the practice.

And can you believe this: the cocktails followed by the dinner meal followed by dessert, and then the guest speaker Dr. Fernando, followed by cash bar and networking was over by 8:30 pm!!?

Sheeucks, my kids don't get out of the shower till 9:30pm, predrinking starts at 9:30 or 10 or later and then it's time for  a public appearance, and then the altered conscious state peaks. and for a short while the buzz/mania  continues.

Anyway the event was a mere shadow of its formal self.
Add up all the credits, ( the smiles, the laughs, the fun, the memories ) then subtract the debit shit, and there was invariably a positive difference.

And, ye-as, I acknowledge the debit stuff is no trivial matter. It has heft. But the heft gave rise to hype. And the hype is what annoys.

Meanwhile as a gang, a society, we somehow got mesmerized by the hype.
And we somehow ignored all them credits.
And the Temperance cabal got traction.
But we can now see more clearly the consequences.
And some of them are not so felicitous.

I knew it was going on quite some time back.
The trend line has only continued in the same direction.
Less drinking, less socializing, less positive; net.

With the Sat. Industrial League Curling one may get serious data.
The charting would be simple, simple.( good grade eighter)
And the conclusions would be obvious.
Temperance traction is highly co-related with  dwindling numbers of participants and diminished intensity of socialization of curlers.

And then there is the ACT, a local chapter of a fraternal group I associate with.
Same kind of story, same kind of numbers. Dismal and dwindling.

And so I sez to m'self, Self:how is it that all this is Good?
And to this very moment, perhaps beyond, I don't know how it could be good.
Seems to me it is no good, net.

Well the energy tank is near dry,
so I close for the moment.
Anxious to return.
y'rs etc.