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As
much as I hate doing things sometimes, I've come to realize that I can
almost always find some small degree of fun in just about anything. I'm
not talking about doing the dishes or getting a root canal--I'm talking
about going out and doing social things that may not seem like a good
time on the surface. Like going to the symphony.
That's right: Instead of watching basketball
last Saturday, Beth, Beth's mom, and I went to see the Fairfax Symphony.
Oy. Not exactly my idea of an Enjoyable Saturday Night.
Yet despite my persistent whining all week (to
anyone and everyone: "Package for you, Mr. Arnold." "Oh thanks.
Hey, guess what? I have to go to the fucking symphony on Saturday
night."), I knew that it wouldn't be as bad as I thought. My standard
mode of thinking is this: If I make myself believe that such an event is
going to be so horribly terribly awfully dreadfully painful, it
won't be nearly as bad as I thought. And it works.
Of course, the source of my entertainment is
usually at the expense of others. Derision is my best friend. At the
symphony, I made fun of the performance of the 80-person choir because
all they did was sing a few OOOOOOHHHH's and AAAAAAHHHH's during the
final number (80 people for that? It's good work if you can get it). I
also laughed each time the conductor left the stage (after every single
piece) and then instantly returned just to get another round of
applause. Do symphony composers have self-esteem issues, or what? And I
won't even tell you what I muttered under my breath to the six
slow-peeing old men ahead of me in line in the bathroom.
Yes, I know it's not right to gain pleasure
from poking fun at other people, but I just can't help it. Maybe if I stopped
watching Seinfeld nine times a day I'd be a better person.
You know, now that I think about it, maybe I
have fun at these types of things because I have a partner in crime:
Beth. She laughs right along with me and sometimes she's the instigator.
Not to get all sappy here, but maybe I enjoy myself because my Bethy is
with me.
Then again, maybe I'm just a prick. |
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