Tuesday, September 01, 2009

I Could Go On For Hours and I Probably Will

Here are some lonely boats.

I'm sure it's the time of year, but I can feel people pulling me into the world of forced social engagements. I have my Fall retreat at work tomorrow, my friend wants me to work concessions at a high school football game on Friday and then there's the show choir potluck on Sunday. If I've said it once, I've said it a million times; I'm not a joiner.

I do try to show up and support my girls in whatever they're doing, (I just spent two hours today at cross country time trials) and I volunteer to do stuff that I know a lot of my coworkers aren't into. It's just all the "getting to know you" exercises, the events requiring name tags, and the forced socializing that I have problems with. Luckily, we don't do any role playing exercises at our work retreats anymore. The last one we did made me want to stick forks in my temples.

So, it really isn't all that bad, and if I get sucked into working concessions at the football game, I'll at least be with a friend of mine I've known since college, I can just think of so many other things to occupy my time that wouldn't be quite as painful. You know?

Okay, wish me luck at the prospect of less name tag wearing experiences in the future.

7 comments:

Ananda girl said...

Oh good luck with that.

I hate those events too. I do not want to fall into the arms of a co-worker to build trust. I don't trust them for good reason, thank you very much!

Life is too short to pretend that I get that crap. But it is crap... in my opinion.

rel said...

Churlita,
I feel your pain girl.

But I know you'll end up having a good time anyway: that's just you.
rel

Pamela said...

Forced social engagements. Nice phrase.

Mnmom said...

I feel the same. I'm quite outgoing but small talk etc makes me feel too self aware.

AlienCG said...

Being social isn't for everyone, especially when it's forced. Also, if it's people you don't care for, then it really sucks. Good luck to you.

laura b. said...

Wow, right here with you on this one. I tend to perform rather poorly at compulsary social events.
Sounds like, as with the rest of your life, you have acheived a good balance.

Churlita said...

Ananda,

Crap is right. Our retreat today was actually bearable though.

Rel,

You were so right.

Pamela,

Thanks.

MNMom,

Plus, it's annoying and takes up time and energy I could be doing something better with.

AlienCG,

Yeah. I like the people I work with and the parents of the kids in show choir, it's just that I don't have a lot in common with them.

LauraB.,

Compulsary social events is an awesome phrase.