What do you do when your stuck at a party that you don't really want to be at? How do you start a conversation with people that you don't know? How do you find the commonalities and find things that are mutually interesting to talk about? Why are some social gatherings so difficult to have fun at?

Usually when I'm at a party that I don't want to be at I leave. I was just at such a party and I was the first to leave. This party was just dull. Unfortunately as soon as everyone got there they all broke off into their usual little groups and proceeded to chat with each other. I resisted the urge to do this and tried to chat with a few different people before I went over and joined my group. I find that at many gatherings of Christians I don't know what to do with myself. Everyone is sitting around talking about nothing... of course I'm not delusional enough to think that non-Christians don't do this as well but why do Christians seem to do nothing so well. It's interesting because they aren't even enjoying themselves most of the time. You can see it on their faces.

I think that one of the hardest things about these gatherings is definitely trying to find the commonality to chat about. I consider myself well read and knowledgeable about things going on in the world but trying to find others that are seems to be an increasingly difficult chore. Most conversations tend to start with either myself or someone asking me "so what do you do?" Of course I know they don't care what I do and what the hell am I supposed to say when they tell me that they are a 28 year old out of work teacher that lives at home with their parents. Commonalities... I'm sure they're there but that really kills a conversation. So where do your parents live? You must save a lot of money living with your parents! I love your jeans! I don't know what to say to these people. Ahhhh the anguish of hanging out with people my own age.

As for why some social gatherings are so tough to have fun at... That's easy. Most people (myself included) are very insecure and don't want to show themselves for who they really are, lest they are rejected. Until they learn to drop their walls or at least develop an interesting alter-ego they are not going to have much fun in these social situations. If anyone has any suggestions as to which alter-ego I should adopt please feel free to let me know!

Oh just an update on the weather. It clouded over a few hours before the BBQ and started to rain. Maybe it was an omen.

In reality I am grateful that I was invited in the first place. I just wish it would have been more interesting.

Mood: despairing
Music: None