shout out to: Awkward

I enjoy awkwardness. not really. that was a lie. I just started this off awkwardly....great. OK, what I meant to say is - I enjoy the side-effects of awkwardness - when you walk away from a situation grimacing and thinking to yourself "did THAT just happen?" but then get to laugh a lot and share the funny story with friends. it's the best, really. but in the moment, it's kind of the worst.
to salute the double-edged sword of awkward things (OK, even the spelling of awkward is awkward...what kind of word has two "w's"??), I thought I would post a short list of common awkward moments we can all relate to.

if you happen to experience one of these today, I encourage you simply to celebrate it. plus, chances are that somewhere, somehow, I am experiencing something ten times more awkward, because that is just my life.

1) Holding the door open for someone when they are awkwardly far away (this is doubly embarrassing because it kills two birds with one awkward stone. Holding the door open always results in you standing for a ridiculously long time at a door while putting the person you are holding said door for in an awkward position. should they run up so you don't have to wait longer? or should they try to say thanks while still far away, and then walk to the door at normal speed? plus side of this moment- it is always hilarious when the person you are holding the door for tries to run for it while carrying lots of boxes or wearing a bookbag or something)

2) Hugs (hugs can be super awesome. but they can also be super awkward. especially when you go in for a hug but both lean the same way and end up head butting... . or smooching)

3) The moment after you fall down (Falling down is embarrassing enough as it is. but what is truly awkward is when you fall down and it actually really hurts. Then you are stuck trying not to cry while everyone asks you if you are alright. not only must you squeak out some sort of response while holding back tears, but you also know that everyone at that moment is trying very hard not to laugh at you)

4) Stuck in a sweatshirt (This really is bad news. It is awkward when you try to take off a sweatshirt but it gets stuck around your arms. and then it takes your shirt off with it or something.....double the awkward. the worst is that you know it's happening but can't stop it. and as much as you want to hide in the sweatshirt and never come out again, you know that you must eventually emerge)

5) Texting someone you didn't mean to text (especially when you're like "Hey are you going to go to Jane's birthday party? I don't really think I want to because it will probably be lame." and then you get a text back that says "Hey this is Jane.")

awkward family photos bring me much joy. check them out.