The Holiday Party

About a month ago, I received my invitation for my job's annual holiday party.My first thought was, of course, that I wasn't going to go.Why would I?Things like that are designed to make me uncomfortable.I started talking to one of the other guys who works in the warehouse though and we kind of talked each other into going

Yesterday was the big day.I had been anticipating/dreading this all week.Sure, I'd get a free meal out of it.I would also, most likely, spend my whole time there paralyzed by my own hangups about being out socially.Which way would I go?

We arrived about 20 minutes into the cocktail hour.The first thing I noticed was that nearly everybody was dressed in formal attire.I was in jeans, sneakers, and a grey henlee.So right away I felt a wee bit out of place.I saw a few people I knew from when I worked in the other office, which I guess was cool.We then hooked up with the other people from the warehouse and, as I stood there, I realized the answer to the question in the previous paragraph.I was TOTALLY freaked out at the amount of people there.All I could do was stand there in silence and hope that dinner would come soon.My fiancee had a much easier time settling in, engaging in conversation with another worker's wife.

Eventually we did get to sit down to eat.The food, being served buffet-style, was quite good.I was still a bit uncomfortable though.I decided to do something out-of-character for me and actually had an alcoholic beverage, hoping it would loosen me up enough to enjoy myself.I went with a long island iced tea because, if I'm going to break my own personal prohibition, I'm going to go all the way.I finished one and grabbed another just before the open bar was over.The second one I nursed a bit more, as I wasn't sure of how strong my tolerance was.I did not want to be drunk, just a little buzzed at most.

I didn't get much of a buzz at all, which was pretty surprising considering it had been about 5 years since the last time alcohol entered my body.I also didn't loosen up much.I just sat there for the rest of the night until the DJ started up with that infernal "Electric Slide" crap.(The electric slide, the chicken dance, the macarena, and every other line dancing thing that might be done at a party/wedding is beyond my realm of tolerance.We are banning the electric slide from our wedding.She still wants the chicken dance, but I'm hoping I can wear her down with that one.)I was just coming back from the bathroom when I saw and heard it and decided that was enough.We said our goodbyes to our tablemates and bid a hasty retreat to avoid the associative embarrassment that comes with seeing people you know trying to choreograph a dance with each other.

To be fair, it wasn't so horrible.I was sitting with people I knew.The food was quite good and there was even a dessert bar that had chocolate cake and cheesecake.They also gave away a lot of prizes, of which I won zero.I know this story seems a little plain, but it was a pretty plain night.I find that I am undecided as to whether or not I'd go again next year.It left me feeling just kind of "meh".I guess I'll see how disillusioned I feel next time the invites come around.