| At A Glance | |
| Author | Heather |
| Contact | Heather@bme.anon |
| IAM | ozzisme |
| When | It just happened |
| Location | San Diego, CA |
I was awake all night. The Southern California BME BBQ was the next morning and I had a long drive... but I just couldn't fall asleep. At 7am, I rolled out of bed and realised that I was nauseous and dizzy. Just delightful; tired and sick. And as I looked in the mirror to get ready, I discovered I had developed a swamp-thing face (isn't it lovely how one's face always seems to find the perfect opportunity to break out?) as well. This really wasn't helping my extreme social anxiety. Not only was I nervous about my first iam event, but now I looked hideous, felt horrible and was utterly exhausted.
Not exactly the great start I was hoping for.
I put on my "I eat babies" shirt (made just for the day) and packed my stuff. My boyfriend Jon and I loaded up the car for the two ho ur drive from my city into San Diego, where the fourth annual SoCal BBQ was being held. I volunteered to help hosts Dave and Betty set up, so we needed to be there early. After grabbing caffeine at a coffee shop, we started the long drive.
We arrived at about 10.15am, just in time to help out. Except one problem: I was way too panicky to get out of my car. My social anxiety disorder makes it nearly impossible for me to approach people... so I sat in the car for two hours, just watching people arrive and silently yelling at myself for being so stupid. So much for volunteering to help. Finally, Jon decided to start unloading the car anyway. Mike, who I regularly conversed with on IAM, came over to help... and I felt less anxious, and finally talked myself into getting out.
The BBQ was held at a very lovely park in a nice part of San Diego. There was a wedding across the street and families picnicking nearby (I wonder what they thought of us) around lots of trees and grass. I walked over to the shady spot everyone was set up and met Betty, Dave and his wife, and Rana, all of whom were very friendly. Missy, Mike's wife, showed up a bit later and it was a pleasure to meet her finally.
Around noon, people began to arrive and the fun began to start. The atmosphere was generally relaxed and calm, but was still really nice. A few people were already smashed and seemed to be really enjoying themselves, which was great. There was a "magic tent," and I think I can safely speculate what was going on in there because everyone left very happy. Jon and I camped out next to Rana and eavesdropped on everyone's conversations since I was too nervous to start one up myself. Photo opportunities abounded and everyone seemed to be taking advantage of them.
When there was a good amount of people around, Dave started up the first game: trivia! I knew a few of the answers, and Jon won two buttons from BMEshop for his correct answers. Being the nice boyfriend that he is (or maybe I'm just really good at the pouty-sad face), he gave me the Dr. BME one . After much fun was had by all, the Run-Like-a-Spaz-frisbee contest began.
I had been previously told of this contest by jpeg who I think was last year's champion. The event involved pairing up, with one person blindfolded and throwing a frisbee, chasing it (preferably like a spaz) and eventually hitting a target, and the other person in charge of giving the blinded person directions. Obviously high quality entertainment, here, people. I think my favourite part was when StarToedSneech careful directed her partner narcissist into a tree. And then a trash can. But not to the actual target until nearly six minutes of narcissist carefully tiptoeing around in untrusting fear had taken place. Everyone seemed to have a great time (exc ept maybe narcissist who only won a few bruises). Mike and his best f riend were the winners of that competition, and took home BME T-shirts and gift certificates.
It was then time for a crazy water gun fight with narcissist playing sniper and everyone else trying to seek revenge.
Finally, after everyone had eaten and had some drinks and a lot of conversation, Dave announced that anyone who wanted to do a pull could; DidierS and Matt from a local piercing studio named Enigma were going to throw hooks. I had come to the BBQ really wanting to pull, but I wasn't sure how good of an idea it was, being sick, tired and having not eaten yet that day (actually, I was sure... that it was a bad idea). Knowing I'd regret it if I didn't, I made the decision to pull.
Originally five of us had planned to pull; I was the only one who never had before. Narcissis t backed out in favour of the water gun fights, one person decided she was way too drunk and another went home... leaving just me and Dave. Dave got hooked first, and I watched nervously. Finally, it was my turn. The two guys were really great about talking to me and making sure I was okay. The hook insertion was over shortly and we were ready to go. However, Dave and I had barely started to add tension to the lines when I started feeling faint as my blood sugar dropped rapidly. After a brief break (and multiple apologies to my pulling partner) of munching candy and gulping water, I was ready to go again. Since I was really nervous about potentially fainting again, Dave suggested we do a sitting pull. Though I didn't get as much tension on the lines as I would have liked this way, it was better than nothing (or, you know, passing out while attached to giant hooks) and I did really enjoy it.
When the pull was over and I was cleaned up and "burped," most people had left already. It was almost 8pm, and there were just a few lingering groups still enjoying themselves. Jon and I decided it was a good time to leave and get dinner, so we packed up and said goodbye to everyone, including saki (who had shown up while I was getting hooked so I hadn't even said hello to yet). We thanked Dave for being a great host and took off.
Though the day got off to a bad start, the experience was wonderful and I really had fun! Now you can enjoy some photos:
