So it's 8:45 and I'm at home. I've just finished setting up my PS4 for a work related test that's starting at 9:00. I haven't eaten and don't feel like making something, so I think, "I can totally make it to the nearest take-out place and back." I drive there, and I'm in and out in a breeze. Then I get cocky.
I can get Starbucks and be home in time, right? I walk in, and there's a couple in front of me finishing up at the counter. I order my coffee, and while I'm waiting, they come up to me and ask if I could help jump start their car. Now they seem nice enough, nothing dodgy about them, but it's around 8:55 at this point. Anxiety takes over. Any other time, I'd have gladly helped out, but I don't really want to have to awkwardly explain that I have to be at home in front of my PlayStation in five minutes ... so I make a judgement call.
I lie. I say, "I'm so sorry, but I walked here." There's guilt, sure, but I'm in a rush for time, and rational me realises they're in a busy parking lot by a Starbucks; these guys aren't going to have any trouble getting someone to help. Sure enough, not long after, they're heading out with someone who's a much better person than I am. A minute later, I grab my coffee and walk out the store.
I take a few steps. Across the lot, I catch the eye of the guy getting his car fixed. Directly. Opposite. Mine. I look around, giving my best "what was I doing?" impression ... and then I turn on my heels and walk home, rather than deal with the crippling embarrassment that would be driving my car in front of them.
An hour later, I changed my T-shirt and went back for it.
Hello! I'm Neilan, and I've been making poor decisions as a result of awkwardness since 1986. Do you?
I can get Starbucks and be home in time, right? I walk in, and there's a couple in front of me finishing up at the counter. I order my coffee, and while I'm waiting, they come up to me and ask if I could help jump start their car. Now they seem nice enough, nothing dodgy about them, but it's around 8:55 at this point. Anxiety takes over. Any other time, I'd have gladly helped out, but I don't really want to have to awkwardly explain that I have to be at home in front of my PlayStation in five minutes ... so I make a judgement call.
I lie. I say, "I'm so sorry, but I walked here." There's guilt, sure, but I'm in a rush for time, and rational me realises they're in a busy parking lot by a Starbucks; these guys aren't going to have any trouble getting someone to help. Sure enough, not long after, they're heading out with someone who's a much better person than I am. A minute later, I grab my coffee and walk out the store.
I take a few steps. Across the lot, I catch the eye of the guy getting his car fixed. Directly. Opposite. Mine. I look around, giving my best "what was I doing?" impression ... and then I turn on my heels and walk home, rather than deal with the crippling embarrassment that would be driving my car in front of them.
An hour later, I changed my T-shirt and went back for it.
Hello! I'm Neilan, and I've been making poor decisions as a result of awkwardness since 1986. Do you?