Hi Lpg.
Going out and having a soda while your buddies are drinking? What does your inner voice say about that? Good idea, or not such a good idea?
I tried that too in early sobriety. For me it was very difficult seeing the alcohol all around me in a place I used to drink, and people with who I used to drink. People, places and things that remind us of our drinking days may cause us to slip up.
When you tell people you aren't drinking anymore, you may get different responses, some of which may not be helpful to your sobriety. It was suggested to me that I hold off telling people for a little while, just to wait until I had a handle on what it takes not drinking in 24 hour increments.