Cricket, Cricket

So, my dad's family and I have this inside joke. Anytime that awkward silence happens, you  know...the one where either you are totally not interested in what is going on, totally oblivious of how to respond, or you are the person causing this totally uncomfortable situation...someone will break the silence by saying "Cricket, Cricket." This is because, in the country, that is the sound you hear when it is quiet out, just crickets.

Well, Matt (the handsome boyfriend I have managed to keep around for nearly a year now) and I were at a store in the mall recently, picking up the final piece of furniture for the living room. We were in a mad rush out of the store because I had to get to work and all of a sudden, I hear a familiar voice saying my name and then am in the biggest reunion hug ever. It was a girlfriend from my first year in college, my best friend that year in college to be honest. I have to tell you, this girl has the most wonderful personality and disposition. Sweet, bubbly and yet totally laid back, with a heart of gold. Although I knew some people at the college, that I had graduated with from high school, my plan was to venture out and meet a new crowd. She made that experience so worth it, and took me under her wing. We had the best time!

Matt's first question was, after we left and I finished gushing over how much fun we used to have and what a great friend she was, "Well, why didn't you act like you liked her?" What?? Had I been rude? Rewind to the conversation with my old friend. She told me Congrats on getting engaged and rather than explain that I was planning weddings, I simply said no. Typical me, dry, one word answer. Not only that, but this new business venture is so new to me, that I never even thought she may have been referring to some of the wedding comments I had made on my Facebook page. Matt had to step up and save me, I had drawn a blank. MAJOR "cricket, cricket." That was it, everyone was uncomfortable, the conversation ended within seconds and I walked out completely oblivious. It wasn't until Matt and I were in the back of the truck at the loading dock waiting for our new chair, that I began to understand how incredibly awkward I can be. He just kept making fun of me, of course I laughed about it, but I was secretly concerned. Am I that strange to be around?? Can I be that stand-offish in conversation??

I did a poll at work that night, and the answer was yes...FANTASTIC, I want to plan events and I can barely form sentences. So, now I have a new goal. Maybe I should look into ToastMasters. Somehow I feel like that would be extreme, but I am not sure what the class equivalent would be for people that are genuinely bad with conversations. Full of one liners, not so many sentences..if you could not tell by my blogging skills.