husband: "Remember, we're new here so just (pause)... well (pause again to carefully choose next words)... just don't overdo it."
wife (aka: ME!!): "What does that mean? Don't overdo it?"
husband: "Just don't go over the top. You're really (pause- and by now I'm getting tired of the pauses)... well, you're just really outgoing and people here may not know how to take your sense of humor..."
wife: "So, you're saying (pause of my own) don't be myself..."
husband: (shit-eating grin) "basically..."
... welcome to your new home! For all of you who know Steve and I, you'll laugh at that conversation. You'll also understand the bruise Steve had on his right bicep after I gave him a healthy dose of my right-jab.
I need to give Steve a little credit for his observation. This relocation has been just one of several moves in our adult lives. Each time we've arrived in a new city most folks have been quickly introduced to the nervous, high-energy version of me. You may have met her... not much of a filter? Chooses trial-by-fire for testing out someones ability to laugh at themselves? Talks, A LOT!!!?... Steve no-doubt had all of these things on his mind as he gave me the first piece of advice I'd receive in Pierre, South Dakota. "Don't be yourself!"
Naturally, I ignored his advice. After dinner and drinks with a group that included a wide variety of law enforcement, I had made several new friends and a lasting impression on the chief of police (no pun intended with the 'chief'). It's not what you think! He was kind enough to welcome us with a round of shots. Now, I'm not an expert on shots (Whitlow, no comments, please), but I didn't expect the chief to choose something bright pink that smelled like watermelon!! Steve politely declined, and after the rest of us raised and emptied our glasses, I turned to thank our host... "Hey Chief, thanks! Kind of a girly choice though, dontcha think???"...
As it turns out, a great number of people here, including the chief share the ability to laugh at themselves. I'm extremely thankful for that, and for Steve's advice. Thanks for the blog ammunition, husband! Please remember... Just be yourself.
