I don't do well in public
functions I've come to realize. I you think is pretty done good at
doing the public awareness, mingle schmooze thing but I don't think I
have those skills. Perhaps at one time I was a bit better than I am
now but now I really know I'm just a wallflower. I went to the Assist
function that I wrote about earlier in the week. I don't have a lot
of good clothes oh I mean I have clothe which are clean and
functional and cover-up all the essential parts. I don't have nice
clothes, clothes that you wear to opening-night, parties, funerals,
mission farewells etc. I guess I haven't had a need for them really
and so I have none some a bit self-conscious when I go to these
things. I didn't really worry about the assist, Inc. function because
it's in the afternoon late afternoon and many people who contract
with Assist to do their work dropped by the office on the way home to
have cookies, punch, wine and a few other snacks. So, they don't
really expect to the really dress-up though a lot of people do just
the same. I tried to come middle-of-the-road. I found a warm ramp to
put around my legs that had a winter motif and I wore a fairly decent
top, one I rarely wear but found in the back of my closet.
I dawdled All afternoon
killing time until it was time to dress up warmly and head into the
city for my event. We're close to winter solstice now darkness comes
quickly and early in the afternoon. The event started at four
however, I got to the library about 4:30 PM checked out the cheap
books and wandered around then decided it was time to go to the open
house. But try to get in discreetly that David bounded to the door as
soon as I tried to handle. There was already 30 people at least in
the room. Professionals in their professional close talking to each
other smiling, some flushed with beer or wine all handle small plate
of veggies, Christmas goodies IE cookies, fudge and the like. I was
sort of surprised there are no chips, I love chips. Guess that's what
happens when you get things catered. Swedish meatballs, piles of
chicken (it's usually turkey I don't know what happened this year). I
looked desperately for somebody I know. I can't monopolize Dave to
his staff and has to mingle and does a great job. After he thanked me
for showing up and directed me to the food line cut it disappears and
so do I. It's weird I don't have the sensation as much as I used to
maybes because I'm retired and I don't do these events like I used
to. But, I got my small plate and backed into the wall and nibbled
away. It's odd because some of the people I've worked with fairly
closely over the years walk right by me and did not even acknowledge
I was there. I'm surprises guys don't trip over me but they don't. I
was already wondering how long I have to stay before I can make up
the line for the door and head home. The fogs in the city adding to
the premature darkness of this December evening. More bodies filter
in from the mist. Roger, the director or the previous director of
Assist, Inc. finally stops by and we chat a little bit. It was really
weird. I was in the middle of telling Roger something and he noticed
somebody else and just walked away! I have to admit I was a bit
shocked. However think I hit it well mingle can I do.
Truly, I was about ready
to leave and this lady would been mingling pretty well, actually
walked up to me and started talking. She said she didn't know anybody
there, she was somebody's +1 at the event. I'm not totally sure what
her relationship is with her host he's a retired architect who it
spent part of his life as an instructor up at the University. They
were definitely a couple of some sort. Her name is Nancy I believe
she's older than me (it's hard to tell) that she was really nice. She
wasn't goofy, and she wasn't drunk and it was in the mercy
conversation she really wanted to know about me, who I was, what I
was doing there and then she told me about her self. She had's
professional jobs in the city, have is been in Salt Lake all of her
life in fact she is now living in her parents home that she was
raised in and the place has ghosts. The places in the avenues as
gotta be a great place. And she's right she's not ever going to get
rid of it is totally paid for has been since her father died. A nice
place to be. She set. She invites me to her partner seems like a nice
guy I wonder can I be friends with these people? How would I do that?
We end up talking a lot more and longer than anticipated , real party
talk. We establish her from the same political party which hates the
current political environment. We almost get close to making those
comments of we should get together or what we meet sometime but we
never do. They asked me if I want more wine, having drank wine for
over a year or any other alcoholic beverage I've become a
lightweight. I feel like one of those ghosts, spirits who have to
take up physical form for one reason or another and have to get back
to the ether because maintaining physicality is just to exhausting.
At work by way towards the
front door visiting with Nancy and I think his name is Bill. Then
wandered off back to the table to get more drinks and I figured this
was a good time as any to exit stage left. I know that's rude. I
almost got out of the place without anyone noticing – – not that
anybody would except my friend David want to make sure I was okay and
thanked me for showing up. I assured him I was fine and dandy and I
want to get home before the temperature got colder and the night
darker. And with that I shook his hand and slid back into the ether…
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