Three Days of Debauchery

As I sit and write this, my brain is most definitely operating at a much slower rate than usual, body is sluggishly aching in odd spots around my spine and every blink of my eyes feels like a chore. I naturally have a lot of energy and I hate to admit this, but no longer can I compete with the 22-year-old Vilay I used to be.

I've been out every night for the past 3 days (karaoke, home jam sessions, tiki bar, Russian-American wedding, gay bar). I understand the concept that "going out" doesn't necessarily mean "drinking incessantly", which I'm not saying I do, but sometimes the indulgence of it all happens by default. But the bingo-bango combo of hot, humid days, mixed with a lot of socializing, singing "Barracuda" at midnight, drinking libations titled "One-Eyed Willie" and 3 champagne, vodka and caviar toasts makes for one big trip to Hangover City!

A word that has recently made its way into my life in the past 4 months (thank you Mr. Ryan) is HEDONISTIC. I personally would never describe myself as a hedonist, but after thinking about it...perhaps I am? What's really wrong with being one?
Here's the Urban Dictionary's definition of a hedonist which I found amusing: "A follower of Hedonism, which preaches that the greatest good in life for mankind is the pursuit of  pleasure. Personal indulgences become their only aspirations. Most of this theory and its followers were rejected through logic hundreds of years ago, but high school goths and wanna-be pseudo-intellectual philosophers often adopt it to feel different from others. It served as the basis for Utilitarianism. In modern slang it most often is synonymous with devil worshippers."

They then use the word in this sentence:
"Little Billy was picked on and had his feelings hurt so instead of sucking it up and becoming a man, he dressed all in black - becoming a hedonist to make him feel special."

Merriam-Webster gives it this definition:
1) the doctrine that pleasure or happiness is the sole or chief good in life
2) a way of life based on or suggesting the principles of hedonims

I will agree with Mr. Ryan that the use of this word in today's society is experimental, however if I were ever forced to choose between hedonism and asceticism, I think you all know which one I'd choose. Does this mean I'll be building an altar in my back yard and torturing/killing kittens as an offering to Lucifer anytime soon? Obviously not, but the likelihood I'll continue my epicurean lifestyle is almost certain. Ciao for now!

A tradition in Russian weddings - a shot of vodka and a bite of caviar. I can't say it was the most exciting  thing to happen to me yesterday, as I was hungover and was attending an outdoor wedding (humidity kills). Lesson learned.

The lovely newlyweds Alexei and Christina making the last traditional vodka toast to their parents.

An awesome trio of mushrooms I spot next to a tree.