Hello Friend-
I’m happy to bring you what might possibly be the greatest discovery in party-going behavior analysis in the past 20 years. And that is a verifiable fact.
After much experience and thought, I have come to understand that the safest social (and possibly structural) space in any room is the doorway. When there is any doubt about a person’s social standing in a group of people the go-to place is the doorway. It is comfortable, it is safe, and most of all, it is acceptable. It says that a person is interested in joining the party but that the person isn’t presumptuous. It provides a quick getaway while also establishing one’s presence.
The doorway is the most reliable of places to be. Picture Dude X in his high top sneakers, jeans and semi-urban full-zip hoodie; his glass is full of coke and some sort of alcohol, the fresh ice cubes clinking against each other. His eyes browse the room full of new faces looking for A) a familiar one, or B) someone to connect with. Too afraid to join the table but also looking to have a good time, he leans his right shoulder against the doorjamb, putting most of his weight on his right foot while crossing his left behind the ankle of his right. Blocking the doorway, he almost looks cocky, but since he’s not raising his glass in the company of anyone, his presence is safe, just like the space he is occupying.
Now, none of this is to say that being in the doorway is bad thing. In fact, depending on which doorway it is, it could easily be the most heavily-trafficked place in the party, providing more social stimulation than anticipated. However, assuming that is not the case, the doorway can soon become uncomfortable, uneventful, uninvolved, and lonely.
That, my friend, is a place that I hope to NEVER EVER, EVER be in during my last two months (exact starting yesterday) in Chile, especially this coming Friday. You see, I’m celebrating my 21st birthday along with La Court/Coco/Nescafé this Friday. And as the host and the one celebrating his birthday, and as the one who has recently discovered the link between social awkwardness and the physical location in a given room, I am dedicating this Friday to the inauguration of Plan Do Work.
Plan Do Work is my detailed and precise plan to go all out (at the appropriate times; i.e. not before tests or any important responsibility) during my final months in Santiago.
Although I’m looking forward to my birthday party and the parties to come, I also know that I have lots of work to do before I head home.
Last week was Hell Week; two tests and three essays. I think I did well on most of them, but I won’t find out for sure until next week probably. I also started working again at the high school teaching English classes. However, the program through the Chilean government is either not operating this semester or really behind schedule and my high school doesn’t have any other volunteers. Definitely a bummer since the school is heavily underfunded and the teachers are spread extremely thin throughout the week. It’s enjoyable work though, and I’m glad I can do it.
Last weekend I also got the chance to travel south to Pichilemu to help construct houses again. This time was different in many ways, but still a good experience. Instead of working in a camp of emergency housing, we were out in the sticks at an old lady’s home where she lived with her husband and several of her kids and grand kids who all had their own homes on her large property. Our group of 11 hit some speed bumps on the way to finishing the house, but in the end we got it done. The woman and her family made us awesome food the two days we were there. Probably some of the best I’ve had in Chile so far.
I’m also juiced on the possibility of getting to work for a new startup whose aim it is to provide running tours of Santiago to tourists and people on business who enjoy running. Everything is really up in the air, but it’s an exciting opportunity. I’m just hoping it works out.
Well, friend. I should get going. I have to make a play list for Friday and actually study. Ick.
I hope that you are well and I am very much looking forward to seeing you in person soon. Two months is a long time, but it will all go by too quickly, I know.
Derek
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