@Th3solution I watched that show religiously as a kid. We had an off shoot of the Disney channel called Disney Cinemagic which showed that, the Aladdin and Tarzan shows, the Lilo and Stitch TV show etc alongside movies. Obviously quality varied!
Well it's officially winter here in Aberdeen. I'd much rather be at home gaming than having to go into work but oh well, hopefully it doesn't last long as it's blinking cold out there. already have roads closed everywhere in and outside the city!
I managed to talk my bosses into letting me work on some sound design for our devices tomorrow, instead of my regular programming work. This is cool because a) I've never done it before and it's gonna be fun, and b) I intend to stay up late to watch TGA and this means I don't need to go to the office in the morning
@Voltan it came down hard last night but it's more a case of city folks not knowing how to drive in this type of weather, I'm originally from a small village in the middle of nowhere so used to it. It's certainly not as bad as it used to be, maybe lasts a day or 2. Be worse with Ice tomorrow if the temperature drops tonight.
Your lucky you get that option, I'll watch them tomorrow. I could just get highlights on PS but there is something about the awards that I enjoy watching the event unfold!
@nessisonett I think it's mostly forcast for areas between Aberdeen and Inverness so you should be ok. Might continue into tomorrow here, but hopefully clear up by the weekend.
I've worked at my current job now for almost eight months and managed to avoid social anxiety until today. We had a Christmas party at work and it started out great. They divided us into different groups and we worked together to build a gingerbread house as well as solve a quiz.
Then the social anxiety kicked in during dinner. We had to choose a card and sit at the table with the matching card. The table I sat down at had no one I knew. Literally no one. On top of that, they were all women 10-20 years older than me and we had literally nothing in common to talk about. So during an entire hour, I just sat quietly and ate my food. It was so freaking awkward, I just wanted to die. Then we had a music quiz about Christmas songs and I couldn't contribute to it at all. Then it became 7 PM and they still had more activities for us to do. At that point I just couldn't take it anymore, so I left. I had been at the party for almost 5 hours and I think that's more than enough of my time.
But yeah, this has easily been the most awkward I've felt at work during this entire year. I've tried to become better at being social at work and I think I've succeeded overall. But this day completely ruined that streak. I just wish I could've chosen where I wanted to sit during dinner lol. That would've made all the difference in the world.
And the thing is that I don't really consider Christmas parties to be times where you can get to know other colleagues. Most people just want to hang out with people they know, so it's hard for me as a new employee to enjoy myself when they randomly choose groups for you to be in.
But I swear, I never want to switch jobs because I never ever want to feel like a new employee again. I absolutely abhor that feeling.
@LtSarge I've been in those situations, and unless you are an outgoing extrovert it is awful. I refuse to go to any work or social outings now if they impose 'where you sit'. I've worked hard all year, I want to relax and enjoy an evening with people I know and have things in common with.
@MatthewJP Exactly! That's how I feel too. Now is not the time to get to know other people, especially when you mix departments and you've only worked with people from your department. It just ruins the evening completely.
And the thing is that we have a Christmas lunch coming up in a couple of weeks. I swear to god, if they don't let me choose where to sit then I'll completely boycott all Christmas activities next year.
@LtSarge I hate it when they have these activities at work events, it makes me feel really uncomfortable being forced to take part in some of the nonsense they have planned, especially at this time of year.
I don't go to the main Christmas parties at work any more, mainly due tothere is always someone that ruins it for everyone by getting way too drunk. One year the police had to be called out because some guy was getting too pushy and could not be calmed down. Sad thing is some people thought that was a good night. 🙄
I try to avoid going out around Christmas time these days, as I find it too busy for my liking. Plus everything seems more expensive and it is always a nightmare trying to get a taxi. Not an enjoyable experience for me and all a bit too stressful.
Life is more fun when you help people succeed, instead of wishing them to fail.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
@JohnnyShoulder Yikes, that sounds awful. I've been to after works and people would drink alcohol but it would never escalate like that.
But yeah, I don't really mind these activities as long as they're carefully planned. I mean honestly, I think it would've been better if they had placed me in a group with at least a couple of colleagues that I knew. Because then they could talk with the others and I'd be able to ease my way into conversations easier. I think that's why the party started out great because the groups were predetermined with a good mix of people but when it came down to dinner, the groups were chosen randomly and that's when the evening started to go downhill for me.
But I doubt they'd change anything just for me. I now realise why my friend skipped this year's Christmas party. I probably should've done the same.
@LtSarge I'm all for people having a good time, but sometimes people don't know their own limits. I've been in some states before, but I've never hurt anyone and at work events have been pretty well behaved, and still had some really good nights out.
Yeah unless a bunch of people complain or something, these things rarely change from my experience. We've not had one this year as their was not enough interest. Think the current economic situation hasn't helped, as this can be a rather expensive time of year.
Life is more fun when you help people succeed, instead of wishing them to fail.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
@Kidfried That sounds like the best work event ever!
@LtSarge in regards to not having anything to say to some people, this was something I used to struggle with. You could try just making small talk, and go from there. The weather, plans for Christmas etc. If they have kids that is a great topic to bring up usually as that can be a big time filler. I usually try to avoid stuff like politics, as that is when things can get a bit awkward if there wildly different opinions.
Life is more fun when you help people succeed, instead of wishing them to fail.
Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.
@LtSarge You don't need to have anything obvious common with women 10-20 years older than you though, just be honest and ask questions to find out what it's like being a different gender and 20 years older! Not everyone loves Final Fantasy 9 (for some reason) and, really, how many chances in life do you get to hang around with a group like that?
Historically, I struggle in these situations too - honesty is the best policy I find, don't be afraid to let people know how you're feeling. Even if I felt a bit dorky I'd literally say, in a fun way, "I feel a bit awkward sitting here with you all as I don't know any of you and I am a bit crap at socialising". If they are decent people (most are!) they'll see what you're going through and throw you a bone. Then have a little drinky poo, ask questions and show a general interest in them. Be yourself, mix up your words and talk crap - weird is fine. If they point and laugh at you they are ar*eholes, get up and find another table because it's not you who's the problem.
It is hard though, I've struggled in the past. Just try and have the right mindset going in and sustain it and you might find you start having a bit of fun. "I don't like Christmas parties" is setting you up to fail. When I get an invitation to an event I try and make my first thoughts positive ones and try to get excited about it but it really doesn't come naturally. At the very least remain neutral and open minded!
It does help that I don't get invited to loads of social events though - I can handle a few a year but if I had a wedding every weekend I'd shoot myself!!
Oh and of course take up social smoking for extreme circumstances Great opportunity to get out of the room for 5 minutes and you might bump into someone who likes Zelda in the yard
@LtSarge You don't need to have anything obvious common with women 10-20 years older than you though, just be honest and ask questions to find out what it's like being a different gender and 20 years older! Not everyone loves Final Fantasy 9 (for some reason) and, really, how many chances in life do you get to hang around with a group like that?
Historically, I struggle in these situations too - honesty is the best policy I find, don't be afraid to let people know how you're feeling. Even if I felt a bit dorky I'd literally say, in a fun way, "I feel a bit awkward sitting here with you all as I don't know any of you and I am a bit crap at socialising". If they are decent people (most are!) they'll see what you're going through and throw you a bone. Then have a little drinky poo, ask questions and show a general interest in them. Be yourself, mix up your words and talk crap - weird is fine. If they point and laugh at you they are ar*eholes, get up and find another table because it's not you who's the problem.
It is hard though, I've struggled in the past. Just try and have the right mindset going in and sustain it and you might find you start having a bit of fun. "I don't like Christmas parties" is setting you up to fail. When I get an invitation to an event I try and make my first thoughts positive ones and try to get excited about it but it really doesn't come naturally. At the very least remain neutral and open minded!
It does help that I don't get invited to loads of social events though - I can handle a few a year but if I had a wedding every weekend I'd shoot myself!!
That's my top Christmas anxiety tip.
@LtSarge Best advice so far. But don't smoke though, vape if you have to, apparently it's better for you and it smells a lot better lol. But seriously don't start either if you can avoid it, addiction is a slippery slope.
I'm a mixed bag with work events, on the one hand I really like it but on the other, I am quite nervous about it. I did the secret Santa last year considering I had just started and didn't know many people and there were also a couple people I actively disliked. There's a few people I would have been comfortable getting jokey presents for. The guy I got is a great guy though and while he can take a joke, he struck me as somewhat insecure despite his facade so I got him a really nice "coming of age" gift instead. He was fairly young. I am not sure what I would have got for somebody who I actively disliked.
While that team was a mixed demographic of backgrounds and ages, it was entirely men so I don't blame you for feeling uncomfortable around older women. Even as the team slightly diversified gender-wise toward the end of my tenure there, my main go to (for everyone really, not just women) would be to crack jokes. Keep it light for the most part and celebrities are a good thing to joke about because everybody knows them and mostly nobody cares about them. Also word play will get an amused groan if you are good at that. It's the sort of thing everyone wants to laugh at but stifles. I revel in the awkwardness 😆. If you get "the look" at some word play instead of the ever more positive sigh, just say "tough crowd" and excuse yourself. That normally gets a laugh
Can also have a by proxy conversation about games with them anyway because I guess their children are going to be gamers! To be honest though, you never know who is a gamer. I have been surprised about who responds positively when I broach the topic. My 50 something Biology teacher back when I was at school was a big gamer. Would never have thought it unless I randomly and cheekily asked it one lesson. We even ended up swapping games to try out!
Will also say that was a very nice and insightful post and gives another look into your life. Thanks for being so candid!
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