Tynan, you seem like an interesting guy. Its been a slow day at work, so I amused myself by reading several of your blogs, having come across a link to the Indoor Pool story on a private BBS -- one of those inner sanctum types that you note in Infiltrating Communities. You remind me of a friend of mine from college. He bought a Rolls Royce at an auction once, just because he found himself at an auction where there was a Rolls Royce to buy. He doesn't have that kind of money, but it made for a great story.
But enough about me, or rather what I think about you. :-).
The drinking thing is an interesting question and its the first of your articles where I've seen a genuine request for feedback. That seems unusual for you, as if you aren't comfortable with your opinion on the matter. Its also the first one that seems a bit judgmental, rather than simply offering perspective and encouragement, without condemnation. Damn, there's some more of what I think about you. :-) I don't mean to sound judgmental at all. I do wonder about why this subject is different for you.
Back to drinking. I like drinking. I started in high school, like almost everybody. Drank like high school kids do. Most people grow out of it, drinking like that which at the time serves two purposes -- to alleviate social nervousness and to appear to be older (and thus more attractive) than you are. You attacked social nervousness by investigating it directly, getting input from experts in the field. Most folks just buy a six-pack and be done with it. Your approach is probably more successful in the long-term, but an expensive in both time and money proposition. BTW, girls drink for the same reason as boys do, even the really hot ones. It just seems stupider because from a guy's perspective, girls don't have a good reason to be nervous or to need to appear as anything other than hot. It isn't quite that easy for girls, I'm sorry to say.
I still drink, but I only drink what I like. I don't remember the last time I was nervous in a social situation, nor the last time I was particularly bored in my social life. Life is too short to spend it doing things that are annoying or boring. I'm pretty self-indulgent and drinking is one of those indulgences. I also don't remember the last time that I was particularly drunk. I drink because I like it, not because I need it. Probably for the same reasons that you pick up girls or put swimming pools in your living room. It can be fun and enjoyable, like sex. You know the old saying... wine, women and song... and if you have to give one up, song.