May 10, 2010
I have been to a bar.
It was alright.
This situation was so momentousness that it caused Kevin to text message me “What the hell are you doing in a bar?!” That’s how serious this situation was. But it was Airek’s birthday so even though I didn’t understand the “bar” and didn’t think I’d have anything to do there, I went ahead and went. Which was good! Got to wish him a happy birthday and talk and play a little pool and had fun! Still, I escaped fairly early, and that was good too. I hope they all had a good time, though.
Seriously, though, I guess I just don’t get it. There’s nothing about a bar that really makes it seem like a place to hang out. I suppose it’s claims to fame are 1) It’s got alcohols and 2) It’s a public setting where you could meet people. I guess that’s all it needs to work. However, I really don’t care about either of those things, so I just don’t really have any need to ever go to one on my own. I went and enjoyed myself this time, but once the ratio of people I know to people I don’t was skewed heavily towards “people I don’t,” I departed. I’m sure all those people are completely great, don’t get me wrong, I just… didn’t want to deal with the awkwardness of trying to engage them when they’re already in a very strongly defined social group. I guess I’m just antisocial or some shit. Whatever.
There was also another strange concern while I was there. I came in with Cara, which was cool, because she is cool. But while we were playing pool, this guy drinking with a girl commented on the game a few times, and it occurred to me that he probably thought we were a couple.
Now, I like Cara a lot. There’s nothing the least bit insulting about being considered to be dating her, even if that is in no way the case, and certainly nowhere in our future. But it was more… being considered a heterosexual couple that bothered me. I could feel particular social assumptions about me being male being put on me. I’m pretty sure he thought I was throwing the game, for instance. (I wasn’t, I was just playing completely like shit, and Cara was on fire) It bothered me a little. Not enough to get in a huff about it, but apparently enough to mention it on a bloeg.
Anyway, that was my bar experience. Afterwards, we got an ice cremes at Port Cape and then I went home probably right when the actual party was starting. Huzzah. It was fine, and if I had a good reason like that party, I don’t doubt I may end up at a bar again. But there was nothing about it that made me go, “Damn, why am I not going to bars all the time!” Even if I wanted to drink, it would be better at someone’s place with a few friends, you know? I dunno.