Well, right before I left the office tonight, I got a call from an old friend (from my former job) inviting me to a Happy Hour. I thanked him for the offer, but declined. I didn't even think about it, just gave an automatic response.
Why did I do that? A hundred or so people packed into a small bar, migraine noise levels, toxic breathing space...who wouldn't enjoy that? Maybe I'm not really human. What other explanation could there be? It's not like I consider myself a 'social outcast', in fact I can blend in very well with people--WHEN I WANT TO. And therein lies the problem. What does a person do when they don't feel comfortable being involved in the things that most other adults do? (Bars, sporting events, church…)
Yeah, you're right-- I'm a pretty boring guy! I don't understand it myself--and it's not like I haven't tried all these things. Sometime back, I signed up with an online dating service & was surprised at how many women asked a variation of the same question: "What's your favorite club? Do you like darts or pool? You like a live deejay or band? Do you prefer mixed drinks or beer or wine?" I usually got stony silence or disbelief when I replied "Er...I haven't been to a bar in years--sorry, that's just not me. But if you really want to go..." (Too late!)
And here in Pittsburgh, not being a sports fan is a SURE SIGN YOU'RE NOT HUMAN--or at least not a Pittsburgher. I think the women in this town are bigger Steelers fans than the men! Don't get me wrong; I think it's great that people enjoy supporting local teams & sitting in an open arena during a blizzard or thunderstorm, screaming their heads off--good for them! I'd rather be at home though, reading a book or watching old sci-fi movies on TCM.
Some of my all-time favorite movies; I just can’t get enough of watching aliens taking over Earth
My human friends understand this thing about me and bars though, and will often say "Doug, there's so many single women in church! They have all kinds of social groups too, you should try it." And I have, but that religion thing always gets in the way... I'm not saying I'm an athiest--but listening to people proclaim their faith in various saints, virgins, angels and Messiahs does nothing for me. I'd sooner be wary of ghosts.
Well, instead of suspecting myself as being alien--maybe I should focus on the things I DO like doing. Okay, so maybe I don't like those items I listed above...but I love going to the movies. I'd go at LEAST once a week if I had someone to go with me. I enjoy going out to eat, shopping in bookstores, (I used to love) amusement parks, the zoo, & I'm a big fan of Natural History museums. (But again, if I'm WITH someone.) I also love musical theater, some of my best 'evening memories' are going to see Phantom of the Opera, Mama Mia, Miss Saigon. I'm just more of a 'one on one' type of person, I suppose.
(And maybe I shouldn't admit this as it confirms my 'couch potato' status, but my idea of a perfect Saturday evening is spending it at home, with a couple DVDs & a pizza or home cooked meal. I think I prefer the term "homebody" over that couch thing though...)
All of this...just to say I don't like Happy Hours.
