Sooner or later one finds oneself at a social event where endurance is on the agenda. A family dinner, when a certain unexpected, yet familiar jackass stops in for a visit. Or a company party, held at a time when you really need to get back to your desk, so you can finish your work and beat the traffic home. Or a wedding. Any wedding. In each of these types of events, we're required to stay, endure and smile. Even if we feel trapped.
Which brings me to a recent summer gathering, which was billed as an early evening beer/wine event. (These are few and far between, as we get only three months a year to wear shorts outside. And half of those days require an umbrella.) One usually arrives with some sort of drink and snack ready for light conversation. It can't be called a formal cocktail hour, because there are kids running around, distorted country music, and no dress code. It not really a cookout, if there is nothing but munchies and beer. But most of these that I have attended over the years have been fun. Why should this one be any different?
The first clue that something was different about this little party was the hosts had moved a TV out onto their attached deck. The second clue was all the kids and mothers seemed particularily happy. (And the guys looked a little sad.) I dropped my beer into the cooler and handed some food to the host. "What's up with the television outside? Is there a big game on or something?" I unknowingly asked. The host, a big Red Sox fan muttered, "I wish. It's for High School Musical 2."
Well, I wanted to quiz him more, but instead sought the advice from girlfriend. Upon learning what was actually going on and that she knew ahead of time, I immediately began to suggest we seek an exit strategy. But instead I got the "ssssh slice" from her. That's when she makes a low sssh noise to silence me along with a short karate chop to emphasize her position. She wants to see it as much as everybody else!! I had been hoodwinked!!! Fine, but I told her she was driving me home. I quickly joined the other guys and proceeded to drink beer. Nobody mentioned the television, or what we would soon be watching. We drank beer. Knowing any protest, resistance or complaining on our parts would result in an immediate tits and ass shutdown. You can't have a tits and ass shutdown. It's just not worth it.
So by the time the television was turned on, most of the guys had settled into the living room. It's an open area, so we could see the show out on the deck with the kids laughing with excitement. That was nice, and I guess they had been waiting all summer for the big event. The women all proceeded to walk back and forth from the kitchen to the kids, bringing them snacks and drinks. The more these ladies yacked about this thing, the more obvious that this was planned along time agos. I tried to shoot daggers at girlfriend, but she wouldn't look at me. Plus I was mellowing out as the beer worked it's magic. The lights soon dimmed and the show began . . .
Hahaha... a "tits and ass shutdown" is a deadly tactic.
Being a girl, I will confess that I have seen both HSM and HSM2. Also, I may or may not have written "WATCH HSM2 TONIGHT ON DISNEY!!!!" in my agenda. Oh man... I can't believe I just admitted that.
I understand your point of having to endure an event that you would rather not have to. I've been there myself. I also understand that complaining can result in shutdown. I've learned to smile and make the best of the situation. Beer has helped too.
Being the dad of a 7-year old girl, HSM2 had been a highly anticipated event for quite some time before it's debut. I attended my high school band reunion that night with my wife, so we couldn't watch it, but our daughter saw it at the sitter's house. Our household has HSM and HSM2 stuff everywhere - clothing items, school supplies, etc., etc.
What Diane said. I am blissfully ignorant of this HSM1 and 2 shit. Flix, if it's any consolation, I would have been drinking beer with the men in the living room, too.
Slate has an interesting piece on the HSM entity (for lack of a better term). I believe HSM2 became the most watched cable program in history when it debuted. It's also rather interesting that it's "record breaking" debut has certain caveats, the major being that the Disney Channel does not air outside (non-Disney/ABC/etc) commercials. One might find this a bit peculiar for a TV channel, but then simply read Dan's comment: "Our household has HSM and HSM2 stuff everywhere - clothing items, school supplies, etc., etc."
Also, for those interested, there's a very curious/surprising ABC News article in which the reporter asked HSM fans and their parents for their opinions on the nude photo "scandal" - lol. The responses were hilarious.
11 comments:
Sooner or later one finds oneself at a social event where endurance is on the agenda. A family dinner, when a certain unexpected, yet familiar jackass stops in for a visit. Or a company party, held at a time when you really need to get back to your desk, so you can finish your work and beat the traffic home. Or a wedding. Any wedding. In each of these types of events, we're required to stay, endure and smile. Even if we feel trapped.
Which brings me to a recent summer gathering, which was billed as an early evening beer/wine event. (These are few and far between, as we get only three months a year to wear shorts outside. And half of those days require an umbrella.) One usually arrives with some sort of drink and snack ready for light conversation. It can't be called a formal cocktail hour, because there are kids running around, distorted country music, and no dress code. It not really a cookout, if there is nothing but munchies and beer. But most of these that I have attended over the years have been fun. Why should this one be any different?
The first clue that something was different about this little party was the hosts had moved a TV out onto their attached deck. The second clue was all the kids and mothers seemed particularily happy. (And the guys looked a little sad.) I dropped my beer into the cooler and handed some food to the host. "What's up with the television outside? Is there a big game on or something?" I unknowingly asked. The host, a big Red Sox fan muttered, "I wish. It's for High School Musical 2."
Well, I wanted to quiz him more, but instead sought the advice from girlfriend. Upon learning what was actually going on and that she knew ahead of time, I immediately began to suggest we seek an exit strategy. But instead I got the "ssssh slice" from her. That's when she makes a low sssh noise to silence me along with a short karate chop to emphasize her position. She wants to see it as much as everybody else!! I had been hoodwinked!!! Fine, but I told her she was driving me home. I quickly joined the other guys and proceeded to drink beer. Nobody mentioned the television, or what we would soon be watching. We drank beer. Knowing any protest, resistance or complaining on our parts would result in an immediate tits and ass shutdown. You can't have a tits and ass shutdown. It's just not worth it.
So by the time the television was turned on, most of the guys had settled into the living room. It's an open area, so we could see the show out on the deck with the kids laughing with excitement. That was nice, and I guess they had been waiting all summer for the big event. The women all proceeded to walk back and forth from the kitchen to the kids, bringing them snacks and drinks. The more these ladies yacked about this thing, the more obvious that this was planned along time agos. I tried to shoot daggers at girlfriend, but she wouldn't look at me. Plus I was mellowing out as the beer worked it's magic. The lights soon dimmed and the show began . . .
Hahaha... a "tits and ass shutdown" is a deadly tactic.
Being a girl, I will confess that I have seen both HSM and HSM2. Also, I may or may not have written "WATCH HSM2 TONIGHT ON DISNEY!!!!" in my agenda. Oh man... I can't believe I just admitted that.
I understand your point of having to endure an event that you would rather not have to. I've been there myself. I also understand that complaining can result in shutdown. I've learned to smile and make the best of the situation. Beer has helped too.
Being the dad of a 7-year old girl, HSM2 had been a highly anticipated event for quite some time before it's debut. I attended my high school band reunion that night with my wife, so we couldn't watch it, but our daughter saw it at the sitter's house. Our household has HSM and HSM2 stuff everywhere - clothing items, school supplies, etc., etc.
I have not yet watched this. Is it the new Grease?
oh dude, i got hoodwinked by my lil bro and a couple of his friends. it was the only way they could get 13 year old girls over to the house.
needless to say, that zac efron sure is one pretty chick, and i can totally see "slut" in vanessa's eyes even without high-def.
Yikes - - I have to admit that this is one of the perqs of being childless - not having to endure endless showings of bad tweener movies
What Diane said. I am blissfully ignorant of this HSM1 and 2 shit. Flix, if it's any consolation, I would have been drinking beer with the men in the living room, too.
Mish, you would've so fit in with everybody!! The question is, do you dance or just sit and watch?
Dan, it sounds like you're living HSM2!!
Pru, fortunately it was better than Grease.
Ha, that's funny Kitty. (Zac is always ready for his close-up!!)
Diane, think of all those great Disney shows you could be watching.
LA, nothing makes a musical like a cold brew!!
Hah. Hilarious.
Slate has an interesting piece on the HSM entity (for lack of a better term). I believe HSM2 became the most watched cable program in history when it debuted. It's also rather interesting that it's "record breaking" debut has certain caveats, the major being that the Disney Channel does not air outside (non-Disney/ABC/etc) commercials. One might find this a bit peculiar for a TV channel, but then simply read Dan's comment: "Our household has HSM and HSM2 stuff everywhere - clothing items, school supplies, etc., etc."
Also, for those interested, there's a very curious/surprising ABC News article in which the reporter asked HSM fans and their parents for their opinions on the nude photo "scandal" - lol. The responses were hilarious.
This crap makes me want to bang my head against the wall.
I probably would have loved it when I was 12.
Q
Post a Comment