Frank J and Sarah K just arrived, and they are fitting in with this group very well. Everyone is sitting in the kitchen, and I'm hanging out in the living room. The conversation is going on about blogging in general, traffic, and so on. Boy do I feel like a small fish in a big pond. I'm thinking that I need to find a way to drive my numbers up, but nah. I'm just not that vain.
Tammi and BW have run out to get the prime rib, and Bou is making Chocolate Mousse cake for later. I think that they're trying to fatten me up. For what? I'm not sure. Wait, I'm not the only one eating this fare, so the women are trying to fatten us all up. I'm hoping that this doesn't turn into a Hansel and Gretel thing. Not that I don't enjoy being eaten, but just not in the "Preheat Oven to 450 degrees" way.
The conversation has changed to felines, as there are many cat-owners here. Animal personalities seem to be nearly as eclectic as people's are. All the guys are proclaiming that they are "Dog People", but I think that we actually like the little kitty's more than we let on. Don't tell anyone I said that though, keep it between you and me.
BW and Tammi just came back from the store, and BW "busted" me for sitting out here by myself, so I'd better go join the conversation. Since Teresa arrived, we now have a third laptop around here, so I'm sure to be posting more soon.
***Update*** LeeAnn and her hubby just arrived with their sweet puppy Boo-hahn. Everyone is sitting around in the kitchen and having conversations that will just flow from subject to subject. Just. Wow.
I must confess that I'm a little freaked out right now. As I've stated before, I'm pretty-much a loner. I'm not used to being around this many people, not to mention that they are (at least) as intelligent as I am. The class of people that I normally am around is more along the lines of the "Me Grog. Grog hit nail." mentality. I hate the fact that I'm being a little standoffish, but it's my defense mechanism in these types of situations. I shut my yap, and stand back. Just one of my various neuroses.
I also feel a little like an ass for getting drunk last night. I essentially passed out in Tammi's favorite chair. I guess I'm the only "real" drunk here. Jesus, just writing that makes me want a beer. It's no big deal to the "Family" though, at least not a readily apparrent one, and I appreciate that fact more than I can say.
I guess I'll quit guilt-tripping myself now, and try to get back into the conversation. More later....
****Update**** It took us breaking up into smaller groups, but I've finally gotten my nerves under control. Or was it the beer? Who knows? Who cares? This has gotten to the point where I'm completely comfortable again, and I must say that I'm having a wonderful time. Everyone is imbibing frosty adult beverages (with a few exceptions), but the conversations are so damned interesting, even the non-alcoholics in our midst seem to be having a good time.
I think that the most fascinating thing about everyone here is that they are exactly what I expected. I never knew that so much could be conveyed about a personality through a blog, but I'm now a strong believer. It's been an outstanding day, and I hope it gets better. I'm not sure how it could, but my Family (and friends) never cease to amaze me. That's enough for now. More later...
Posted by Johnny - Oh at February 12, 2005 11:52 AMEvery family needs at least one wallflower, Johnny, and I bet they're happy you are theirs! Tell everyone one Susie says "Hi!".
Posted by: Susie at February 12, 2005 01:46 PMBoy are we alike. I too am uncomfortable in large groups, small groups are more to my liking.
Kind of shy and it takes me awhile to warm up to people I've never met.
I'm sooooo jealous, sounds like you guys are having a great time.
Posted by: Machelle at February 12, 2005 07:19 PMI'll let you in on a little secret....several were dealing with the "people overload"...all in their own way. We're just so happy you're here, wouldn't have it any other way!!!
Posted by: Tammi at February 12, 2005 09:55 PMAwwww, isn't Tammi the greatest! Anyway, Even though I live in NYC I am as shy as they come. Yes I'm able to put on the social butterfly persona in a large group, but I prefer small groups of 1 or 2 people to talk to and really get to know.
As for the social liquid lubricant...been there done that. You're not the only person to ever pass out on a chair. I know I can't handle it so I just sip iced tea instead.
The nice thing about our family is that we're all misfits in our own special way, and we love each other just the same.
Hope you enjoy!!! for all us wall flowers.
Posted by: michele at February 13, 2005 10:14 AMI'm really glad you could be there. It was terrific meeting you! And if you felt the need to be a bit quiet for a while - that wasn't a problem. Hope you had a good trip home!
Posted by: Teresa at February 14, 2005 09:49 PMConfession time - I'm a wallflower, too. Mostly it's because when I go to "normal" parties, the attendees are mostly... let's just call them "dim", shall we?... and it's very draining to listen to them talk.
This time around it was wall-to-wall wit. What I liked best about the Reunion was the way the groups ebbed & flowed. It was like we always separated into groups of 3 or 4 and slowly mixed & matched personnel between the rooms. It's like you'd start in the kitchen, step onto the deck for a smoke, pause in the living room on the way back in, get up to whiz and wind up back in the kitchen again.
There were no cliques that I noticed.
Very cool.
Posted by: Harvey at February 16, 2005 12:38 AM