So Is This the Most Pathetic Saturday plan ever?

Could be this:

Frank: I told my wife I wouldn't drink tonight. Besides, I got a big day tomorrow. You guys have a great time.
College Student: A big day? Doing what?
Frank: Well, um, actually a pretty nice little Saturday, we're going to go to Home Depot. Yeah, buy some wallpaper, maybe get some flooring, stuff like that. Maybe Bed, Bath, & Beyond, I don't know, I don't know if we'll have enough time.

Well played sir. You have an excellent point. 

I would like to dispel this myth.  We also eat pizza and make fun of the other competitors. 

Well first of all.  That sounds like FUN to me.  Junk food and fantasy draft.  Best party of the year (almost).

But if you are totally not into it, why did you say yes?  Surely he can find someone else that's part of it to drive him, OR he could drive himself and stay the night or something.  OR, he could just be a grown up and drink within reason and not get smashed.  One drink an hour is perfectly acceptable still.

I would call him and say no if you are going to have a lousey time.

You are 100% wrong with this statement.

It's BBQ, chili, and wings!

Not at all.

You might be surprised with how much fun you really do have.

Came in to post this

Leaving impressed

I think this is fantastic, and what you are doing shows how admiral you are. Sometimes doing things that aren't what we consider fun is what being a friend is all about. At least he isn't asking you to help him move his rattlesnake collection. Go for it.

I would LOVE to help move a rattlesnake collection. 

FWIW, it's not like this friend is a regular heavy drinker. This is one of maybe 3 or 4 times a year he goes somewhere where copious amount of alcohol are involved. And like I mentioned, he has been my driver after I was beat up from racing. I owe him a solid. 

Also, the host is someone I don't get to see much, and doesn't bother to invite me to this thing since he knows I'm not into FF, but this would be a way to see his family for a bit too. 

It's not like anyone is trying to exclude me from the male bonding ritual. It's a self-imposed exile. Now that I have become a fan of FX's show "The League" I may decide to join up one day. 

Is this a new beer I'm not aware of?

It's the prospect of this that is making me prepare for an 8 mile run. 

As it happens, a small surprise for a 4th friend's birthday is being planned for after this event, so I'm committed one way or another. 

Honestly, part of me thinks I should stay and practice my new discipline of not trying to be a hipster d-bag about things I'm not into, and I know there is a part of the old me (pre-recovery) that would jump at the chance to be such a smug above-it-all clever wiseguy about the whole thing. And I don't want to be that guy anymore. But I am not sure I'm 100% ready yet, so that's why the run. That. and there will be a whole lot of Penn State banter going around, I am sure, and I am trying to stay the heck out of those conversations entirely right now. (Though the friend I'm driving, as well as the birthday guy who is a PSU grad, are both reasonable people who are not freaking out over the NCAA or the statue removal.) I am just not sure about the other guests whom I don't know well enough to get into serious debates with, but I would probably do so anyway. 

As I read this, it sounds like I am trying to save myself from myself by just avoiding social situations because I am incapable of being properly social and civil. This is interesting. What started as an off-hand observation about nothing has turned into public therapy. How about that? 

I turned a leaf some time ago.  Attitude goes a LONG way.  I used to get into events for my wife just KNOWING I was going to have a bad time.  Guess what, self fulfilling prophicy.

I started to go into things looking at the postives and how a CAN have fun.  Granted, I might prepare a bit like bring my Ipad or Kindle or laptop.  Maybe scope out if there is a movie theater near by and check out a flick?

Someone mentioned about, and it's a great point.  You could probably speed things along AND have fun by offering to be the draft "secretary".  Logging it into the computer or putting the names on the board, time keeper, etc...