In order to function in society, we must become potheads of European ancestry.
Monday, July 30th, 2007
I think back to the conversation we had a few days prior when Gino came home late after going to a bar with a couple of his work companions. He expressed concern over his lack of desire to behave accordingly in social settings, such as parties, bars and the office. He hastily added that this does not apply to the times he is in the studio during the school year, when he is amongst peers with a common goal. “I just feel…uncomfortable.”
“And out of place? Like you’re not supposed to be there, yet you’re forcing yourself to remain because you just don’t know what to do?”
“Sure. Yeah. Something like that.”
“Hmm. Me too. I don’t like large groups, but I keep myself in the situation for the sake of the people whose company I actually want.” I continued, reminiscing the previous Tuesday, on which I was to watch a movie: 1408. The showing was at 9:55pm, but I decided to go to the mall around 7:30pm. And until the movie, I sat in Barnes and Noble by myself, watching 300 on my iPod.
Also on the day of the conversation, I left a birthday celebration significantly early resulting more out of social awkwardness than anything else.
We both concluded, that night, that we are socially retarded. The following weekend we saw Eagle vs. Shark, a movie about socially awkward individuals.
Just this weekend, Gino went to Austin to visit a friend. He came back home yesterday. “It was fun,” he said. “Except that one party that we were at for about an hour.”
“An hour?”
“I told her that I was feeling uncomfortable, so we left. I felt like a jackass making her leave the party, but I really didn’t want to be there.”
“I was at a birthday party yesterday, and for two hours I sat by myself and watched Daria on my iPod. But after gifts I played Scattergories.”
“We need to do something about this.”
He nods. “And do you know how we do that?” Not wanting to look like a fool, I scan the box for an answer. He notices my hesitation and answers for me.
“We must be ‘baked savory crackers.’” It seems to be completely out of our hands.
Today, after work, Gino and I drove down to Mockingbird to see a movie. It was good.