The party was awkward, of course. What I mean is...I am awkward at parties.
I hate parties but my girlfriend has been inviting me to her Christmas parties for years, although I rarely make an appearance. In fact, I've only been to one and that was over a decade ago.
I was at the park taking pictures when she called me out the blue. She told me her party was tonight and asked me if I'd come. I finally said okay. She needed some help so I stopped by to help her set up for it. I suggested that she rearrange her furniture so traffic could flow better. She laughed and said how she'd been thinking of rearranging it exactly that way; so we got busy with it.
I enjoy helping people...especially on the spur of the moment. That's the kind of person I am. I rarely plan things, she knows that about me. If it were planned...I'd do a no-show.
After getting all that settled and as I was leaving she gave me a hug and said, "You know, you're the only friend I have who never rubs me the wrong way. There's nothing abrasive about you." I smiled and said I'd see her later and left.
I was the first to arrive that evening.
I knew a few people as her guests trickled in...
Chuck was there. He's the guy who gave me my old Minolta shortly after we went our separate ways. He thought I needed an outlet for my creativity, but it is only recently that I've begun to explore that side of me.
Chuck's doing photography now and is going to be selling his work at some local shops so we discussed that for a while. I'll have to show him my work sometime. It's probably not as good as his...but...
Steven and his wife were there. He was a guitar player and was in the same band as Chuck back when Chuck and I were together. He was always trashed, but has cleaned up his act now that he's a family man. Nice guy. Very friendly...open...funny. Always smiling and cracking jokes. I never did get along well with his wife though. She wears the pants in the family.
Amy was there. Hadn't seen her in a long time. A very nice Irishwoman...a 'ginger'. She's finishing her Master’s degree in something. Not sure exactly what, even though I talked to her for most of the evening.
No one recognized me at first...the long curly hair threw them; plus the fact that I'm the last person they would have expected to be there. I wore my hair short back when we all hung out together. Chuck liked it short, short, short. He always said that women who had long hair were 'too fussy'. So when he saw me he said..."Going fluffy again, I see." and laughed; then I flipped my hair and said "Yea, it's my last hooray", and chuckled.
It's odd...but as we stood there talking, I noticed how he kept his distance from me. I guess I was not the only one who was uncomfortable that night. He would shuffle back and forth nervously as we talked. But then...he's always been a high energy type of person. Maybe it was just that...or...maybe he wanted to escape as well.
I still have butterflies in my tummy. I'm so awkward at parties and was there for three grueling hours before I could escape into the cold to have a smoke before going home. As I lit my cigarette I noticed my trembling hands. I didn't smoke at the party...knowing how my hands always betray my cool exterior.
I love smoking outside...alone. The peace and quiet helped soothe my nerves and the cool crisp air felt good on my face.
I'm such a hermit. Terribly so...even with wine aboard I get tense around a lot of people. Sometimes...I forget how awkward I am around a group of people. I guess some things about a person can't be changed...even with time.
Did I mention that I hate parties?
I hate parties but my girlfriend has been inviting me to her Christmas parties for years, although I rarely make an appearance. In fact, I've only been to one and that was over a decade ago.
I was at the park taking pictures when she called me out the blue. She told me her party was tonight and asked me if I'd come. I finally said okay. She needed some help so I stopped by to help her set up for it. I suggested that she rearrange her furniture so traffic could flow better. She laughed and said how she'd been thinking of rearranging it exactly that way; so we got busy with it.
I enjoy helping people...especially on the spur of the moment. That's the kind of person I am. I rarely plan things, she knows that about me. If it were planned...I'd do a no-show.
After getting all that settled and as I was leaving she gave me a hug and said, "You know, you're the only friend I have who never rubs me the wrong way. There's nothing abrasive about you." I smiled and said I'd see her later and left.
I was the first to arrive that evening.
I knew a few people as her guests trickled in...
Chuck was there. He's the guy who gave me my old Minolta shortly after we went our separate ways. He thought I needed an outlet for my creativity, but it is only recently that I've begun to explore that side of me.
Chuck's doing photography now and is going to be selling his work at some local shops so we discussed that for a while. I'll have to show him my work sometime. It's probably not as good as his...but...
Steven and his wife were there. He was a guitar player and was in the same band as Chuck back when Chuck and I were together. He was always trashed, but has cleaned up his act now that he's a family man. Nice guy. Very friendly...open...funny. Always smiling and cracking jokes. I never did get along well with his wife though. She wears the pants in the family.
Amy was there. Hadn't seen her in a long time. A very nice Irishwoman...a 'ginger'. She's finishing her Master’s degree in something. Not sure exactly what, even though I talked to her for most of the evening.
No one recognized me at first...the long curly hair threw them; plus the fact that I'm the last person they would have expected to be there. I wore my hair short back when we all hung out together. Chuck liked it short, short, short. He always said that women who had long hair were 'too fussy'. So when he saw me he said..."Going fluffy again, I see." and laughed; then I flipped my hair and said "Yea, it's my last hooray", and chuckled.
It's odd...but as we stood there talking, I noticed how he kept his distance from me. I guess I was not the only one who was uncomfortable that night. He would shuffle back and forth nervously as we talked. But then...he's always been a high energy type of person. Maybe it was just that...or...maybe he wanted to escape as well.
I still have butterflies in my tummy. I'm so awkward at parties and was there for three grueling hours before I could escape into the cold to have a smoke before going home. As I lit my cigarette I noticed my trembling hands. I didn't smoke at the party...knowing how my hands always betray my cool exterior.
I love smoking outside...alone. The peace and quiet helped soothe my nerves and the cool crisp air felt good on my face.
I'm such a hermit. Terribly so...even with wine aboard I get tense around a lot of people. Sometimes...I forget how awkward I am around a group of people. I guess some things about a person can't be changed...even with time.
Did I mention that I hate parties?
