last night, i went out to dinner with my parents and suz at union street, and it was a busy night there. it's really a rather unpredictable place, as far as whether or not it's crowded. sometimes, you expect it to be packed and it's empty, sometimes vice versa. at any rate, we sat in the soon-to-be-renovated basement, next to a long table full of people that looked like they were coworkers or something. and before long, we noticed that they were practically shouting. every one of them. roaring with laughter, at the top of their lungs. it was deafening, i mean literally, my ears hurt (and bear in mind that earlier this week i watched a coworker saw in half a 3" x 6" slug of aluminum, lengthwise), and it takes some effort for a small group of humans' voices to actually hurt your ears.
i guess, being a fairly quiet person, i don't know how the volume gets so inexorably turned up. but on the other hand, i have to stop and think that it's probably not just them. there have probably been times when i've been part of groups that have been every bit as raucous. which brings me to wonder if we still are, and if not, why? is it yet another sign that i'm Just Too Old For This Shit? part of it is, you can't be like that all the time. i think back to college, and remember the nights of inspired lunacy, but there were also times when it was quiet, just because plans fell through, or because people were tired, or because things just didn't click. and just because we're quieter when we go out doesn't necessarily mean we're lame, just that not every party can be as rocking as the next.
so, sure they were loud assholes. but so, i'm sure, have i been, and moreover, i'm sure it'll happen again. they were having a good night, i'm sure, firing on all cylinders, and if i begrudge them that, then i really am getting old. next time i'll just have to take my parents somewhere else. on the bright side, i'm not hung over, and i have leftover macaroni and cheese to eat.