Low Maitenance Friendship

Back in my college town after winter break, I have realized how much I like being here. Most of the people here are so nice. They just are. The friends I have here are the low maintenance kind. They aren't easily offended, they are supportive, and we don't expect anything extra from each other. That's my favorite.

We have so much fun up here, no matter what we do. A lot of the time we don't do much at all. We just relax and joke around with each other. If we go somewhere, it's usually a basketball game or church related activity.

I have a story. But first, you need to know something about me. I hate card games. Hate them. I hate most board, card and dice games, but card games are one of my worst fears. For some reason I can't hold more than about 4 cards at a time without dropping them all over the place, and I always forget the rules of the game...they are so confusing to me, and there are so many to remember. And I have humiliated myself soooo many times while playing card games in the past. I don't remember every instance, but I do remember feeling very stupid and bored while playing card games when i was little. And not so little. And I remember being teased A LOT while playing games. So now I become so nervous and self conscious when I pick up my hand that my mind goes blank, I can't talk right, my hands become unsteady, and I just end up humiliating myself yet again. I can perform singing and dancing on stage in front of hundreds of people, I can pull embarrassing pranks, I can talk about nearly any subject without feeling shy, I can give speeches with no plan or preparation, I can ride any roller coaster, but I do not have the nerve to play a card game. If it looks like I am enjoying a card game, I am probably doing a little acting. Card games are sooo nerve wracking to me! (Like country music, there are a couple exceptions. Pit and 5 crowns are okay. Sometimes.)

So, here's the story:
The other night, I went to my favorite apartment across the parking lot, and a couple of my roommates were already there, and everyone was already immersed in a card game (I think it was called B.S. or something about lying) when I walked in. I received a friendly welcome and an offer to join in, to which I replied, "oh, no thanks, I am awful at card games." So, I was offered a seat, and we all made conversation together while everyone but me and a couple others in the other room kept playing. And that was it. There was no "Oh, come on, I bet you are better than you think!" statements, no offended peers, no teasing, and no pressure to join in. We just kept talking as usual. I didn't have to be left out because I didn't play, and I didn't have to be forced to undergo a transformation into an avid card player. It was kind of a new experience for me. It was wonderful.

And that's what I love about my friends up here. We embrace what we have in common, and don't bother with what we don't. Everyone is so accepting and friendly. We don't try to impress each other. We don't "keep score". We just play and have fun. :)