Warning: Introvert on the Loose

As I mentioned in an earlier post, my personality test scores over the years have placed me progressively closer to the "introvert" side of the scale. So when I found myself scheduled to attend four different social gatherings in one weekend earlier this month, it was a little bit overwhelming, to say the least.

I started the "introvert to party animal" makeover on Friday afternoon with a "life-changing" haircut. My stylist, who is the only person I have trusted to touch my hair in the past six years, has tried to sell me on a number of ideas that he has promised will "change my life." I've played along with some and passed on others, but the Sahag cut is probably the most drastic thing I've let Buddy do to my hair since the first time he touched it (when he cut off about eight inches and made me cry for about a week). Since then, every "let's try something new" suggestion from Buddy tends to prompt a "whatever you do, don't make me cry again" response from me.

At first, I thought my new haircut was so incredibly different that people wouldn't recognize me, but apparently that hasn't been the case. Which makes me feel better, because I really didn't want to change my look. Or at least the look that I get when the stars are aligned perfectly, the barometer is at precisely the right level, the humidity has mysteriously vanished, and I've used seven different kinds of curl-taming, frizz-fighting goop.

After my haircut epiphany, I headed to just-to-the-right-of-nowhere Mississippi for Party #1. After some good friends and good food (passed on the chocolate cobbler, but couldn't resist the brownies), I was off to Party #2. This festive occasion, however, required a pit stop to change into more formal attire and a networking frame of mind. Once inside, I commenced to mingling, and was rewarded for my efforts by a genuine compliment that I really appreciated, an invitation to join a striptease workout class (more on that later), and a "prom picture" that I can't wait to see. Except that our group seemed to have caused the camera to malfunction.

Day 2 of my socially-overloaded weekend featured my boss's 40th birthday party. Somehow I failed to notice the large tubs of beer on ice, so I made the questionable decision to mix my own vodka and tonic. Then I made the (probably wise) decision to sit very still for the rest of the night. Luckily, I chose to sit still with my boss's parents and a friend who's known him since middle school, so I have plenty of ammunition next time I need a day off.

For Day 3 and Party #4, I was back into networking mode for a work shindig. I got to spend the latter part of the afternoon with a woman who, I have no doubt, will be a source of inspiration for the rest of my life. At 92, she is newly- (and somewhat reluctantly) retired, although she admitted that she's enjoying retirement a little bit more than she had expected. Throughout our conversation, others at the party came up to say hello, always reminding her of their names. Each time, she responded, "I know that," in a tone that clearly showed she didn't appreciate the suggestion that she might have forgotten. Eventually the talk turned to college basketball, and she began rattling off names and statistics so rapidly that I wished I could ask her to help fill out my bracket form. (After the mess I made this year, I definitely will be asking next year).

All in all, I'd have to say that my temporary re-invention as a social butterfly turned out quite well. I'm still undecided on the haircut, though.