"Differential Diagnosis"

My recent successful fight debut against an opponent I had never seen or trained with before,? showed me how effective using proper technique can be. In the months leading up to that match, I had trained long and hard.? During my sparring sessions, I had come to rely on my superior mass, speed, and knowledge of their attack style to lead me to victory, but when facing an opponent much larger and stronger, using unknown attack styles, my advantages were no more.

It was then that I realized how crucial certain techniques can be, despite their complexity, speed, or strength. Of course, having taken quite the beating from the boxer, I was determined to improve…but first it was time to cut loose!

I arrived at the club feeling like a million bucks and that feeling was only heightened as the bouncer opens the door and greets me by name.? I bypass the entrance, completely avoiding a cover charge, pat downs, or ID checks, and go take my usual spot at Juli’s bar. As she sees me approaching, she begins preparing my usual drink and has it ready for me just as I arrive.

I go mingle about with all the usual Saturday night patrons, returning to keep Juli company whenever the crowd around her and my sister’s station thins out, or if my drink was running low. On occasion, I’d chat up a girl and her friends and bring them over to “my corner of the club” for drinks. “The first round is on me!” I’d say as Juli and my sister prepare the shots and I look like a VIP.

Subsequently, having a group of pretty ladies hovering about in a single location would bring in the chumps guys from the other sections of the club, hoping to impress the ladies by buying them drinks just as they believed I had done earlier. So not only was I feeling like a million bucks, dating the hottest bartender at the place, receiving free drinks and VIP treatment, but I was stimulating business for Juli and my sister’s bar station. Life had finally thrown me a bone and it was good & juicy.

On rare occasions, I might be confronted by a disgruntled patron claiming I was putting the moves on his girlfriend. Normally this would be a tense moment, but being on Cloud 9 allowed me to calmly and graciously charm my way out of those situations. A free drink usually helps patch things up too.? However, should things have gone sour, I was confident I could handle myself much better than my sister had weeks ago, plus I had an added benefit of being looked out for by club security.

Of course, the benefits of this type of “image enhancement,” spilled outside the club as well. Night after night, Juli and I would attend the after parties hosted by many of the same chumps that spend their entire paychecks trying to impress the girls. Pool parties, house parties, cookouts, bonfires, etc. It wasn’t all about the fun for me though, attending these parties also allowed me to keep an eye on my sister who would normally attend these events as well. Who am I trying to kid? I was having a blast!

Unfortunately balancing an eight to five, college, martial arts, Juli and the constant late night parties started to take its toll on me and was slowly changing me into someone I didn’t want to be…

1. Dani says:

   April 23, 2009 at 2:41 pm

   I always enjoy reading your posts. I want to know what happened next…

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2. ScoMan says:

   April 24, 2009 at 6:03 am

   I’m enjoying this journey you’re taking us on through what was obviously and important period in your life.

   Can’t wait to see more.

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3. ChinkyGirLMeL says:

   April 24, 2009 at 6:30 am

   sounds like you’re having a good time. =) can’t wait to read of what’s happening next with you and juli and your next fight. =)

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4. andhari says:

   April 26, 2009 at 8:01 am

   So do I charm you seeing I work in party organizer?
   KIDDDDING

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5. Krys says:

   April 28, 2009 at 8:01 am

   AHHH!! I can’t handle these cliff-hangers!!!

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6. TOPolk says:

   April 29, 2009 at 3:33 am

   “Bartender” talk about a throwback…when T-Pain was somewhat tolerable.

   Anywho, there’s nothin’ like ballin’ out. Knowin the door guys, pullin’ the women, and boozin’ til late night (er, early morning). But damn if it doesn’t wear on you after a while.

   I’m interested to see what happens next…

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7. OmegaRadium says:

   May 1, 2009 at 1:41 pm

   @Dani & @ScoMan Thanks, more to come soon!

   @ChinkyGirLMeL Oh, I was indeed having a blast with Juli!

   @andhari A rap star from Jakarta, who loves Reggeaton…totally charmed.

   @Krys Cliff-hangers are awesome when you’re in control of them. >:)

   @TOPolk Bartender was actually just loosing its coolness when I started seeing Juli. I considered it my anthem or something during that time. Ballin’ out of control is tiring indeed.

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