Awkward: Log Flume for 5

Super-awkward.......

As far as my definitions for situations on a hierarchical level of personal hell go (think DANTE's INFERNO), I think I've added a new situation. Now I'm contending my recent amusement park trip against my previous most awkward post-relationship moment- being stuck sitting next to my ex-boyfriend on a train, while my friends sat in the row in front of me, less than 24 hours after we broke up. When later confronted about the event they said, "Oh, we thought you might still have some issues to work out." No, our issues were pretty well settled as of last night, when I told him it was over. And by far the best quote came from a friend that was a little not-too-caught up to the news: "I didn't know you guys had broken up. I thought you wanted some couple time."

To return to my story, I headed to an amusement park this weekend with some friends, and Fred (he was invited by one of our guy friends, for the record). Fred and said friend (lets call him Greg) showed up to the event wearing superhero capes. For anyone that's been out of the loop, I have barely spoken to Fred three months. I did attend his birthday party (with mild protest) earlier this month after receiving a personal invitation. In said invitation (via text), he said he would like to be friends again and he missed me from his life, as I am/was one of his closest friends. That said, it would seem reasonable that he might attempt to talk to me, right? Haha, wrong again.

While Fred did spend time apologizing to my friend for singing Stephen-Lynch style songs about her at the party, and time chatting with my other friend about various summer plans, he said nary a word directed at me. Let the record show I didn't say much to him either, but that's my prerogative as the hurt party in this situation. I don't have anything particularly nice to say to him, so I'm choosing not to say anything. But he, who (refer back to above) claims he wants to have things be different (as in me talking to him on a frequent basis in a polite and friendly manner), better learn to start the conversation if he hopes for anything to change. Even a simple "Hey how's it going?" might show some effort on his part that he actually means what he says. Why would I want to be friends with someone who can't even say hello to me? I'm not seeing any reason to be buddies or make any efforts toward forgiveness at this time. See his announcement via Facebook that he's dating a 19-year old AND the prior 'I need time to think things out, I'm not ready for a relationship yet' posts in case you've forgotten why this whole thing begun. So in essence, I'm issuing him a challenge (it has become known and my and Java's phrase to live by) - MAN UP! Real men say they are sorry (they don't text it), they make efforts to live up to their claims, in theory they tell the truth, and they don't do things that might reasonably make their friends upset.

Furthermore, I have so easily made a decision about what my plans are for 4th of July [as I had planned to take an annual road trip to the Birthplace of Freedom - AKA Boston - with my friends, (including Fred)]. Drum roll please- I'M NOT GOING! Not only will I get some much needed downtime, but I will avoid a weekend of uncomfortable tension- yay! And as an added bonus, I won't have to sit there and watch Fred and New Christine (an explanation on her name to follow in the next post) all weekend. Yes folks, he invited his child bride girlfriend on a trip he knew I was coming on. That seems to add another check mark in the "He's a douche" column for those of you keeping score. But rumor has it she's hesitant to go, because she thinks some of his friends hate her, (I was not mentioned in the grouping ironically enough) so I'm curious to see how this plays out.

So now that we're all caught up, let's return to my awkward moment. Fred did have the good sense not to try to sit next to me on any roller coasters, as I might have tried to hit him in the face with my hands and blamed it on gravitational pull (damn that G-force). But when our group decided to hit the log flume, it all went crazy. We decided it would be reasonable to squish 5 adults in a log flume (broken up into two parts and probably broken up best to accommodate 4). Everyone climbed in before me. I stood there on the turntable loading dock saying "Hey guys, where am I supposed to squeeze in?" Of course the only room to be found was to squeeze into the front, smack dab behind my friend and right in front of Fred. In another time and place (read 5 months ago), I would have been thrilled with this prospect; it would have made me giddy. But given the circumstances, it made me ill and uncomfortable. I could not wait to get out. So I sat in a log flume, Fred just inches away from me, my friend's ponytail in my face, and got ridiculously soaked. It was not my idea of fun.

How do you know? - Movie vs. Life

I just finished watching the Reese Witherspoon/Paul Rudd (and Owen Wilson) movie, "How Do You Know?" Now, the movie was about 2 hours, and at times the movie is a bit intense at times, but I really liked it.Why? It was hones,t true, to life, and at times fumblingly awkward but adorable. It raised some important points:

- Sometimes you really like someone but they don't make you happy.
- Sometimes you word vomit in front of someone when you want to play it cool.
- Sometimes meals are nice when they're 100% quiet.
- Sometimes talking to a near stranger about your life craziness can be the best thing.
- Sometimes you fall for the person you least plan to fall for.
- Sometimes your crazy "I think this is in private" freak-out can work to your advantage and make you seem crazy-adorable instead of crazy.

The greatest strength of this movie is that everyone was having a rough time. Between the varied issues of failed careers, relationships, crumbling family life, pregnancy... everyone has problems, and yes they tend to get in the way of our otherwise smooth lives.

The main characters found each other at not-so ideal times, but they really needed that person in their life. They often spoke in half-sentences, mutters, and wished they could rewrite conversations. The self-doubt that was on the surface of each character: Reese's showing up at Owen's apartment and asking to stay the night and not be asked about any crying or cuddling, Paul Rudd asking Reese (after he kissed her) if she had come downstairs to tell him not to wait for her, Owen leaving Reese a message where he says she can't see how sad he is (and he takes a photo with his phone to text her).

So, How do you know if someone likes you?
I'm guessing you often don't. Relationships are hard. Love is hard. Talking about your feelings (big shocker here people- is also hard). Unless you ask and be a little insane (see Paul Rudd staring at Reese through the window of the taxi she is sitting in- and her promptly telling him to stop staring at her like that). But there are times when you realize (miracle of miracles) that someone really does care for you. This movie offered a completely touching (and not overly sappy) scene where PRudds goes to find out if there is any chance between he and Reese.

Spoiler alert! PRudds shows up at Reese's lavish birthday party that her boyfriend is throwing for her, and he asks to talk to her on the beautifully decorated terrace. She has already been presented with a totally lavish watch (that is so not her) by the boyfriend, who says its a pre-engagement present. His dad gave his mom a watch and bam!- 7 years later they got engaged. PRudds got her a can of play dough and told her a sweet story about how it came to be a kids toy after it was originally used to clean walls. His final part of the story: its a great present for her because it shows that we're all one small turn away from getting the right fit. Conclusion- He gets her. He maybe even COMPLETES HER (Love Jerry McGuire)! She realizes she can be herself, totally herself (even taking an excruciating about of time to open her wrapping paper) with PRudds. Isn't that all we want? I know I do.