I have a confession. Socially, I'm a bit inept. I'm actually pretty shy if you can believe that, but I can turn it on and be as obnoxious as you please if I'm with old friends. New people give me the hives. So last night, my DH and I start in a new small group at church. All of the women are not there, they're at Bunco (which I tried to play once and found myself too lame to talk, play bunco and move a Diet Coke from table to table -- so not my thing.) Anyway, we are talking about this great verse in Colossians 2:16 about not letting people judge you by what you eat/drink, not having false humility -- all good stuff.
But the leader talks about how there were so many rules that these pagans brought with them, like worshiping the cow god -- for some reason, immediately, I get a picture of the McDonald's glowing, golden arches in my head and I am giggling like nobody's business. I know, it's not funny -- but last night? HILARIOUS TO ME! So now, everyone is looking at me, and I say, "No, no...go on, I was thinking about something funny."
My husband gives me this look and I start bubbling over again, and now I am cracking up. I try to explain what's so funny, which only comes out as more gobbledygook (hence why I write, not speak) and now everyone is watching me, and again, I am laughing and no one knows why -- other than some mental deficiency. So we get home, and I apologize to my DH for embarrassing him in front of new people and explain the neon McDonald's sign and he goes, "OOOH, that's what you were saying. I didn't get that." Yeah um, no one did -- but I had some rousing entertainment. And next week, I get to face these people again. Ugh!
Once, when I was in a figure skating competition. I won first place and I went to get my trophy and I left my skate guards on, and I fell in front of the audience right on my bum. That was such a telling childhood moment for my future ineptitude.
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16 Comments:
Kristin, I can soooo relate! laughing WITH you, Leanna
Oh yeah, speaking is so not my gift either (try explaining that to our church though...the pastors wife doesn't want to speak!) for pretty much the same reason. I get all goofy and make stupid jokes.
I *am* laughing about the McDonald's thing with you though. I have moments just like that. I'd rather be that way though, funny is good. Laughter is good. Even if I am the only one who gets me.
The only reason I can believe that you get shy around new people is that the same thing can happen to me. I HATE to walk into a room full of people I don't know all by myself, but I can act like the biggest ham with all my friends. =)
Keep going to your new small group! We just started a new Sunday school class, and the first time is the toughest.
Oh Suzanne, praise God He did not make me a pastor's wife. Can you imagine the trouble I would get into? I don't know why we hold our pastors and their families up to such high standards, but I don't think I could do it. I'm glad you're still able to laugh!
Leanna, better to laugh with me than at me. Right? Right? LOL
Sally, I just listened to Steve Martin's stand up book on tape, and he's really shy around people. Can you imagine someone who performs like that? He must just shut down the fear.
That is a funny story. I could tell you some much worse stories about myself, but then I would really embarrass myself. LOL.
I'm right there with you!! I think of my husband and rather shy and quiet, but he has NO FEAR in groups of strangers. I am horrified by my ineptitude, but of course, even when I know the people WELL, I say dumb stuff. LOUDLY. It's just that I'm more certain of their love by then.... :)
Oh, Kristin, I'm laughing out loud, here. I can so relate. I bought a James Thurber book at a Greyhound bus station on the way home from college, and the more the busdriver stared at me giggling in the mirror, the funnier it got. No telling what he thought. I'm really shy, too, yet loved being in a play. It's--playing! Spearheaded a new ACFW chapter and served as president--by default--the first year, gave up the office as soon as possible. And bunco! "Where do we go, now? Which table? Losers go which way?Did you get my score? Oops, here's my pencil." Ack! But it gets me out of the house and keeps me out of trouble when my characters won't cooperate. And ice-skating--we won't go there! Thanks for the giggle.
Katy, I say dumb stuff with my friends too, but they're my friends, they expect it. New people expect you to be normal. LOL
Strange thing is most actors are very shy. More creative people are than aren't.
I'm shy at the strangest times. Not at all around people I know well. Nor am I shy around total strangers - IF I'm alone.
But put me in with people a have only a passing acquaintance with and I clam up.
Yeah I know. Hard to imagine, huh?
PS--talk about pagan rules you can't even follow--you should see my last Wordless Wednesday--it was my first and it may BE my last Wordless Wednesday--the picture has WORDS!
I work at a newspaper, and unexplained giggle fits don't always go over well at meetings. Especially when said giggle fit leads to an asthma attack.
My favorite red-faced tounge-twister moment was when I tried to tell my publisher I was adamant about something and changed to obstinate mid-word. Try explaining to your boss why you just informed him that you're abstinant.
I hate having to talk in front of a crowd. Hate. It. As a worship leader at our church, this became a bit problematic. It was all I could do to squeeze out "Please stand," and "You may be seated."
Then came the fateful day when the pastor decided to challenge me. He wanted me to start talking more, sharing more, praying more, reading scripture to tie in with the music. *shudder*
I've been working on it for a couple of years now and, although it will never be easy and seamless for me, it has gotten a bit better. My voice still shakes, I still obsess about what to say, I still lose sleep. But God still works through my bumbling efforts.
Okay, I got a little off track, but I also have a problem meeting new people. I'm comfortable with my close friends and will say almost anything, but put a new person in the group and I pull waaaay back. *shrug*
LOVE the McD's image. :-)
Well, I feel better that there are more Moses out there than Aaron. God will equip us I suppose. Either that, or give special ears to people so they aren't too offended. LOL
LOL. Your blogs make me feel not so bad about myself. At least I'm in good company.
Oh Kristen im her laughing with you.
as soon as you started with Mcdonalds and the golden arches i was laughing.
um what is bunco? is it an american game or something.
I can understand about being shy. I am very much like that. im ok with friends but in a group i tend to feel intimidated (although my goal this year is to not feel so inferior and that not everyone is looking at me when i do things)
I have done a few tours and found i have to put myself out there or it will be a boring time. So i do introduce myself and get to know the others. but put me in a group at a church etc i am the one whos trying to not be seen.
Why do i suddenly want some Mcdonalds?
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