BarBQ

Have you ever been to one of those parties where you were the host's close friend, but somehow that prevented you from mixing with others because they thought you were kind of uppity and therefore reasoned you probably had none of the brains required for proper socialising? In the end however the story ends nicely with you making friends with the people you meet around you.

This is exactly how I felt during the CCA barbq that I just came back from. In the beginning I did dread that it would be another one of those dreary, boring barbq's where I would just sit there by my lonesome, mope around, pull a long face a wonder when the hell would everything end and be done. For a while I did act in that manner typical of me - just busied myself barbequeing stuff and generally being out of people's sight. I did get bored enough to think to myself: please please please let this end like this so I can go home and rest and read my unfinished Top Gear. And it did seem like it would end like that.

Until we got to the games, that is. It all started out as a waterbombing session so beloved the world over for its simplicity, instant fun and the capability to turn any boring old bozo into an prancing participant. So my plan of dodging all waterbombs didn't work and the next thing I knew, I was getting hit on by so many bombs that a tornado seemed like a mild shower in contrast. But that wasn't the end of it. We played next a game where you had to guess a number. Game rules state that you have to guess a number - dreamed up by our friendly Sabster - and if you guess it RIGHT, YOU get to do the forfeit. Make a long story short, I GOT HIT both times because I was standing in a sweet spot where I so nicely guessed the winning, offensive numerals. I had to go over to the next bbq pit for the second forfeit and ask a girl for her number, a picture with her and then politely tell her to throw a waterbomb at me. Thanks to you whoever you are :) that was sporting.

Next two games - Indian poker and Simon Says - also saw me in a spot of good fun as I got hit with all sorts of fantastic forfeits. Seemed like I was the guy who did all the forfeits and used up all the waterbombs. And for those of you who might see my ridiculous attempt at a poledance on Youtube (filmed by none other than Lina, thank you lol), I can only solemnly declare to you that I AM NOT PROFESSIONAL AND NEVER WILL BE, though I did pick up a few tips from Jamie Lee Curtis in one of her movies =D

To be very honest I never expected that I would have fun during this barbeque. But I did have fun in the end and that changed everything. I believe that I would have enjoyed myself, even without being the butt of jokes and the waterbombed guy, because I did give myself a chance to interact more with people whom on a daily basis I never would have. A chance presented itself and I grabbed it with both hands. I got to have fun with people whom I was not close to before and that made a difference to me tonight. It made a difference to know that in spite of myself, I believe I now know that the people around me are not merely bystanders in the walk through life but are unique, quality individuals who deserved to be recognized in their own right.

And I have been humbled by that.

I did try, E, I really did.
But as luck would have had it,
nothing came to fruition,
even though it had been one of the more daring endeavours undertaken.
A chance - I hope - shall present itself again
and let me not let it slip.