Out time

I've been known to say, yeah I'll be there, and then not be there at all. Sometimes going out sounds great at a point well-ahead of the time of the actual event then when the day arrives I just don't want to go - Does that happen to anyone else? Probably.

Last night was one of those times. I'd arrived home from work looking forward to staying there with my cat and watching free practice one and two from this week's Belgian Formula One Grand Prix and then...Oh no, I told my mate I'd go to the pub and support his gig; He plays guitar and sings at events and he was performing at a pub close to home.

I didn't want to go but I showered, threw on some clothing that I hoped was passable for such place and arrived roughly at the same time as my mate. I helped him get set up and then settled in for a meal, a drink and to listen to my mate sing.

Pubs are not really my thing. I find them too noisy and full of too many strangers. Let's just call it too many people in general. I'm not one to enjoy crowds. I prefer smaller groups, you know, two people. Maybe a few more sometimes. I also like quieter places, soft music maybe, the ability to converse. You're probably thinking, how boring is this dude! That's ok, I don't mind; I know what I am, and boring ain't it. I just don't really value being out with strangers. I'm not anti-social, just selective.

I people-watched over a couple hours whilst eating and listening to my mate sing - He's really pretty good and works the crowd nicely so it was entertaining. I watched life pass by, much of it drunk-life, had a couple brief conversations with a few who approached me and basically watched the clock until I thought I could leave without offending my friend. Yeah, I know...Boring. Maybe if you were there too it would have been less boring though.

I had two beers, something I rarely do when I'm in public where usually one is my limit - Crazy-times huh? They were Stella Artois and Great Northern if you're wondering. Before long home time thankfully arrived I was saying goodbye to my mate and was off home.

It was good to catch up with my mate between his sets. He's a fellow I don't see very often and I think he was really happy to see a familiar face in an unfamiliar crowd so that worked out fine. I've had enough out-time to last me a good while now I think and won't be accepting anymore invitations in the near future...Although I'm supposed to be going out with a group from work to mark the occasion of my last day with the company - I wonder if I could ditch it. I'm working on it.

Have any of y'all had the same thoughts? Do you say yes but then not want to go to events? Am I just super-weird? Let me know in the comments if you do the same sort of thing or if you know someone who does it. Maybe you could offer some ideas on how I could open up my social-self a little more. Feel free to comment.