I've moved my blog to WP: idefiningi.wordpress.com
July 22, 2010
awkward (adj.)
That's my word today. Not because I feel awkward, but because I've been in a lot of awkward situations today; to say the least, spelling the word itself is yet just another aWkWard moment.
Anyway, awkwardness began with my sloth-like attitude today, which somehow in its implied ineffectiveness, actually stirred some thoughts inside my head:
I've been invited to a magazine launch for OCW Magazine. It's edited by a girl who's entering the same program as I am in September. In fact, two girls who are also starting the Masters in Publishing program at SFU invited me.
And though it sounds cool - comedy shows, live bands, free subscriptions, drink specials - my first reaction was to not go. I'm a pretty social person and find it pretty easy to talk to anyone; however, I also really really (reaaaallly) like sitting on my ass and doing the "same ol' thing" because it's familiar. I like adventures, but I also really really (realllllly) like my comfort zone. And you know why?
Because it's comfortable. Duh.
Think of it this way:
However, on second thought:
Who wants to hang out with a bunch of dust mites (REALLY scary...I dare you to click) and make like a clown stretching around a clock? Why not try something new, especially with the little time we have on this planet.
So this is why awkward is my Word of the Day. Actually, it's going to go beyond today and become daily; a new mantra, if you will. I'll say this to myself more often, from now on:
"Do awkward things, Vish."
The more effort something takes to do, the more awkward it is, the more I will likely get out of it. And so, I am joining my new mates and will peel myself off my big comfy couch and hit up Gastown.
And just for fun, I queried "Awkward Couches" and found these:
Okay, now that that's out of my system (stupid Internet): The truly awkward thing that spurred all of this:
Today, I was walking over the Granville Street Bridge. I had a tempo going. I needed to pee; I was hungry; and the wind was kind of un-Van-characteristically chilling to the bone, so I didn't want to spend too much time at particularly wind-prone altitudes.
Eye on the prize I pushed my little legs toward Pacific Blvd. As I went, obstacles made their way into my line of vision (and man, they were kind of coming fast, given my own speed-walking). I meandered around the drunk guy who seemed to be running on solely the energy coming in through his iPod headphones. His saliva almost landed in my face as he spat into the wind. Next came the lady who was walking her bicycle (beats me). Passing her was a cinch. The next person was a challenge, however: I pretty much turned into what I most loathe: a tailgater. I was walking on her heels, trying to figure out a tempo so that I could pass her quickly enough, without startling her. I hestitated. Cars whizzed by and there was lots of noise. A bus drove by me, leaving a gust of wind that pushed me to my right. With the added momentum, I went for it. I passed, as we rubbed shoulders.
It was awkward - at least in that moment. Looking back at it now it wasn't really much of anything.
So, next time you get comfortable, say "Yes" to that invite. You'll likely look back and see it wasn't so bad.
So, next time you get comfortable, say "Yes" to that invite. You'll likely look back and see it wasn't so bad.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I soooo know what you mean about that awkwardness with going to things. Sometimes things are just so much more comfortable than branching out. I even feel that with work. All I see is the potential negatives when I'm feeling so awkward, because I don't want to get ahead of myself and think that the event is going to be something super-duper positive, because that feels like I'd just be setting myself up for disappointment! =P
ReplyDelete