I have said it before and I'll say it again. It is HARD to make friends! If you don't have several rug rats, a slew of co-workers, and you're not in college, how in the heavens are you supposed to make friends? I see why people become regulars at the local pub because I think basically I would have to hang out at a bar and try to "pick up" friends. I need to work on my pick up lines. "Is your dad a thief? Because someone stole the stars from the sky and put them in your eyes. WILL YOU BE MY FRIEND?"
So tonight I find myself in a situation that has my palms sweating and my mind in a whirlwind of doubt and self-loathing. Brian and I are going on a second date.
Several weeks ago we were invited to a birthday dinner at some friends house (who are Brian's co-workers...thank God he has co-workers) and they had invited another couple and a friend whom we had never met before. We had a fabulous time! I mean the conversation was flowing, the group was clicking, we were laughing, the stories were titillating. It was so much fun.
And then Brian called me from work and the couple we had met that evening invited us to their house for dinner along with Brian's co-workers. Now, I feel completely honored and a little flattered. I mean, they liked us. Enough to invite us to dinner at their home after meeting us only once.
Oh no, I just had a thought. Maybe they don't like us. Maybe they think we're suckers and they're inviting us over to try to coerce us into a pyramid scheme. I'm going to assume this is not going to happen. They didn't seem the type. One never knows though.
So, eliminating the above option, I'm back to assuming they enjoyed our company, which, after the initial rush of pleasure immediately made me panic. Second date, we have to perform. (Not put out or anything - that comes after the third date right? Oh gosh, what if they're into that kind of stuff and they're going to try to proposition us? I'm also going to assume this is not an option.) What if they deem that they're first impression of us was wrong, that we are NOT after all super cool, funny, or interesting but instead, we are real dullards? I mean, we have to be charming, witty, engaging, intelligent conversationalists, and try not to smell bad. (Did I put on deodorant?) It is so much PRESSURE! I don't know if I can do it. As of this writing, I can't think of a single darn thing to talk about. I haven't watched the news today. I can't ask who they voted for yesterday. I have done NOTHING interesting for days and weeks it seems. I am thoroughly expecting disaster.
Perhaps it is this kind of over-analysis that is the true reason I can't make friends. Here goes nothing...let's hope I don't make a dolt of myself.
