Monday, December 25, 2006

Almas Del Silencio

From my prolific posts, perhaps some of you guys out there have come to the erroneous conclusion that I am the sort of wildly gregarious social butterfly who flits from one blooming occasion to the next. Honestly, lately it seems like even Charming Calvin has started to think along those lines - which is far from the truth since honestly, I see myself as the shy, retiring sort.

Endless rounds of parties and social events leave me cold since I actually dislike making meaningless small talk and honestly, laudatory introductory speeches always leave me utterly tongue-tied. How many insincere plaudits can I give myself after all? Either I ramble on endlessly on some inconsequential topic making like a mindless blathering fool or I end up secreting myself in a hidden corner with a platter of food for an excuse for my antisocial behaviour, being the silent observer which is what I do best.

And I can always take notes to blog about some of the caricatures I meet :P

Definitely improving though ( with the demands of my career ) since now I've at least steeled myself to socialize a little, slapping on a sincere smile and forcing out a hello - instead of receding into the background like the proverbial wallflower.

Bashful Boy
But I am shy...

But my little love, Charming Calvin, certainly puts me to shame since he took on the role of a stoic Sphinx all throughout Christmas Dinner for some inexplicable reason :P For him, it was truly a silent night, apart from a brief exchange of grunting monosyllables with one of the guests, Bony Betty ( not to be confused with Big Bicep Barry's Bountiful Betty ). While decent company manners insist on us making at least a fair attempt at polite, civil conversation with those sitting at our immediate sides ( though we might abhor their company ), Calvin remained unspeaking, unresponsive and unmoved, utterly focused on his platter.

Admittedly the scrumptious fried calamari certainly took up a large share of my attention but still...

The man assures me that he hasn't developed a sudden inexplicable dislike of my friends which leaves me wondering at his unpardonable reticence. An undiscovered vein of sheer bashfulness? An instant attack of debilitating acute laryngitis? Blatant admiration for the delicate hand-drawn design on the Turkish plate? :)

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

merry christmas paul

Anonymous said...

Hrm. Probably too many people at once for the poor guy. I hope he's feeling okay.

Anonymous said...

i'm like that. if i don't know the company, i usually keep quite, since my conversation is highly contextual and it in public domain seems quite crass. otherwise, i'll talk like verbal communication is going out of style.

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas, Paul! I hope your downtime Christmas moments with Calvin wasn't so silent after all. :-)

Anonymous said...

Always the question of meeting too many of the friends at one go. =P

Anonymous said...

Cat got his tongue, perhaps?

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas.. you are not a social butterfly but a social bee. Ha! Ha!

As always, Calvin fall in sleep again.. :)

Anonymous said...

Hmm, something on his mind?

Anyway, merry christmas Paul

Anonymous said...

He's sulking because he didn't appreciate the Persian rug you got him. Haha. You managed to get time off during the hols?

Anonymous said...

Wow, a real Persian rug?

Did you buy it from a REAL Persian?

If not, i'd be asking to see some certificates of authenticity..

Like my genuine Folex that I bought down Petaling St.. I'll be taking it back next year for warranty. Meh.

Anonymous said...

why on earth are ppl saying 'merry christmas' here in April????

ummm... as for calvin.. well, mebe u need to talk things over with him. i notice, even de last post was abt how calvin probably feels neglected n alone. mebbe, some of dat is rubbing onto him, and he needs some Affirmative Action. work on it, paul. best of luck. :)