I have no desire to date, hook up with, flirt with, wink at, or do anything else “with,” “at,” or “on” anyone. So why do I feel this propensity to visit the infamous Boystown Strip (Halsted St between Belmont and Addison)? That may be the $20,000 question. Is it an instinctive tug that all gay men feel on Saturday night? Is it my calling? I doubt it.

I like to be around a lot of people having fun. I like to be around all those possibilities and opportunities, even if they’re not mine. I like to be surrounded by the general sense of optimism and expectation you can feel surging through the air. Friday nights on the strip have a little too much expectation and pent up frustration from the workweek if you ask me. Saturday nights are a little more carefree, you know? Even if I’m not out shopping for anything it still lets me enjoy the atmosphere of the whole experience. Of course, I have to take one or two friends with me (preferably ones that aren’t shopping either) and do the half-assed “ok yea, sure I’ll make out with him. WHATEVER.” and the beer-vodka-slushie goggled “well I think he’s hot… he’s totally hot. No, I don’t have my beer-goggles on. I DON’T. Wait, here he comes. Ok, I have beer-goggles on. WHATEVER.”

I mostly love to people watch, though. And drunkenly laugh my ASS off with my friends (because when I get drunk I think EVERYTHING is funny and I love EVERYONE). I love to be surrounded by people. I just love it. I love having hot friends and not having to deal with sexual tension. The gay ones are rare to find but true gems when you find them.

I do love to meet new people when I’m drunk, though. LOVE it. I especially love to meet beautiful people. Not so much when I’m sober, but you’ll soon notice that I’m sort of a difference-between-day-and-night drunk. Which also explains why, when I’m drunk, I love to dance.

So, tonight’s $20,000 question is: Will Eric go to the strip tonight?

We’ll see. It depends on if I can find friends to go have some hammered fun with that either don’t mind going to Boystown and/or don’t mind the fact that I’m not going there with the unified intention of getting laid. I honestly wish there were less people in BTown trying to get laid and more people just wanting to have a good time. And if you think my perception is off, just go and check it out.

I think I might. Maybe.

1. Oh the weekends I have had
2. Here Come ThE neewWLweds…
3. Always take your friend’s Jizzlew
4. I’M DRUNK BLOGGING! HA!
5. Spray butter never gets complicated