Thoughts on housewarming

[judecorp]

I had a really fun time. (This is a good thing, since it was my party and all of that. Yes, I could cry if I wanted to, but who wants to cry at their party?) There were lots of people from lots of different groups or areas of my life, and it seemed like everyone had at least a marginally good time. There were a few people I was concerned about, and I will probably ask them privately, but for the most part, people were chatty and friendly, and I like that.

For zuzubailey76, I am going to namedrop: 356dreamer, cabrit, crena, crpg_empusae, donewithyou, ebeth, grrlpower, hopemcg, kat_chan, kieron, kungfoogirl, laughingsal, lemur68, pattisimmons, prettyvacantone, spacecadetjen, therewaslight, wasted_breath, whirledpeas, and whod81. Heh. What a bunch of LJ dorks! (There were people without LJs, too, but they were definitely in the minority.)

We have too many beverages in the house now, so we need to find someplace to put them. Thank you to all of the lovely people who brought bottles of wine (now we need a wine rack) and gifts - you are so sweet. It's funny, people kept saying "Congratulations" to me, and my first thought was, "Why are they congratulating me? I just moved!" And then it hit me that I moved in with Jen and that's a Big Deal^TM. So yeah, congratulations, Jennifer!

Everyone seemed to like the apartment, which is cool because I love the apartment so much. The downstairs is so big and open and it makes me happy! I'm glad people liked it. We spread some of Jen's art around and I was glad, because I'm so proud of her and what she does.

The good:

• Seeing Former Coworker Jennifer, because I miss her already.


• Seeing Hope and Megan, because I never see them.


• Meeting Kat, finally.


• That whole "congratulations" thing.


• Lack of drama


• Going to Tee Jaye's after, because I was /starving/.


• I just love everyone.


• But I am obsessed with the Peases.

The Bad:

• There were underage drinkers at my party, and it made me uncomfortable.


• What was worse was that I know these underage drinkers from the place I volunteer at, and that is an ENORMOUS no-no, and I have to tell my Program Coordinator.


• I always worry when people leave that they didn't have a good time.


• One of my good friends got insulted, and upset, and I felt horrible.


• My apartment smells like beer now.

The worst thing, by far, was the youth thing. I'm really beside myself about it. I didn't know what to say, and I didn't know how to explain to the people (or the people who brought them) that I'm not even supposed to socialize in any way with these people, let alone watch them consume alcoholic beverages in my home. The whole thing puts my stomach in knots. I hope I'm still allowed to volunteer. :(

Thanks to everyone who came and wished us well, and to everyone who couldn't come but wished us well anyway, and to photodork for calling! (And those of you who didn't come and don't wish us well, SCREW YA!)

Comments

[grrlpower.livejournal.com]

ya know, I had no idea you volunteered with them. Don't know how I didn't, but I didn't. We met up with them at Union, and when we were getting ready to leave for your plce, they just ended up along for the ride. Again, very sorry. My question -- do THEY know the rule about not socializing? Should there be some responsibility taken there as well?

I wondered about that...

[spacecadetjen.livejournal.com]

With the young people... I had kinda wondered what the situation was there. I didn't even *think* about the fact that the one girl was underage till after I said she could have one of my drinks. Oops! I'm not used to having to worry about that! Hopefully when you talk to the Program Coordinator he/she will get that it wasn't something you had wanted to happen. *hug*

Glad you had fun though and got to see some friends you hadn't seen/ met in a while.

Oh, and though I didn't say Congrats... it's cool that you took that leap. Good for you! I know it will be a big step for me next time I live with anyone. I'm scared of getting in that kind of situation now. (Unknown to most, I'm still a big chicken. heh)

Again, thanks for having us over. It was cool meeting some new people!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I took a bit of a hiatus from volunteering, because my job at the shelter was such weird hours... and then I came back and learned that some of the people from LJ were going there. It was kind of odd for me to see some people, and I actually talked to the coordinator once about it.

I certainly wouldn't advertise it, because youth confidentiality is also a rule so I can't say where I know them from. Sticky, sticky. One of them asked me if the other could come, and I said sure before I saw the person. If I hadn't been drinking myself, I would have explained to both of them that I wasn't allowed to let them in.

Oh well, it's done now. What can ya do, you know? And yes, I would assume everyone knows the rules about socializing, but with anything that involves youth, the adult should take the bulk of the responsibility. I agree with that, and I was the adult, so I should have done something.

I wondered about that...

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I'm not used to worrying about underage drinkers, either. I know one underage drinker, but she drinks with me all the time and I know her parents, so I don't even think about it. (She's in college and I don't worry about her.) I emailed my coordinator, and hopefully he doesn't freak out. Regardless of whether he's cool about it or not, I know that if the Board found out, I would be screwed. So I'm crossing my fingers.

I'm glad you came. :)

Re:

[grrlpower.livejournal.com]

I think it's that sticky point where you personally don't want to ruffle feathers and make things uncomfortable for others. What would you have done? Told Geanna to drive them someplace else? It was a rough spot and I'm sorry you were put in it :( VERY sorry and you have no idea how much I hope this doesn't have a negative impact on your volunteering... I can only imagine what a benefit you are to the organzation and how they would suffer a great loss if you couldn't volunteer there anymore.

Re: I wondered about that...

[spacecadetjen.livejournal.com]

Yea, right now the only underage drinker I know is my sister! LOL

I'm glad I came over too! :-)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Honestly, I don't know what I would have done, or what would have happened. Which is, in essence, why I didn't do anything.

Oh, and I was tipsy. ;) Great for the judgment.

I'm sure everything will be fine. No need to worry - it's really got nothing to do with you. :)

Re:

[grrlpower.livejournal.com]

meh. I make all problems my own. haven't ya seen that yet? Sheena's already called me on it too. Just somethin I hafta work on..

What's funny is that I was totally the rule-stickler person in my sorority. If someone had to be told to leave an event or to smarten up, I was always the one to do it. For that reason I feel bad bc had I noticed your lack of comfort I would have had NO problem whatsoever telling them to stop.

But yeah... I've said my bit. Sorry again!

I wondered about that...

[thatpatti.livejournal.com]

i would hope that the coordinator would, at the very least, value your up-frontness and honesty.

those kind of situations are tough. it's like, you'd like to think that you have the guts/sobriety/moral withstanding to do what you know you SHOULD do, but it's in those kind of situations that we realize just how powerful peer pressure can be.

a couple of times scott has gone to hooters or a strip club with some people at work or for a bachelor party or whatever. he knows it's not something i'm thrilled about, and it's never *his* idea to go to a place like that. but i also realize that for him to say no, while a really nice idea, would be really awkward.

it's not quite the same situation (as yours has potentially much more serious repercussions), but i think it's a similar idea.

anyway, i hope it all works out ok. :\

[iansha.livejournal.com]

Yay for new apartments and moving in with the Girl!
Boo that I couldn't be there! :)

Glad you had a good time!!!!!!!!!!!

LOVE! <3

[00solstice.livejournal.com]

blah blah blah ...


show us the photos!

I wondered about that...

[00solstice.livejournal.com]

I'll cross my fingers for you too...

I apologize for whatever role I played in the matter.

I hope the Board doesn't have a hissy-fit, they would be losing a far too valuable volunteer due to something so random and out of your control!

[poopsmoothie.livejournal.com]

In case I didn't make it clear, I'm one of those 'didn't come, but wish you two well' folks. :)

[donewithyou.livejournal.com]

Thanks for inviting us! We had a great time and Geanna was happy to finally get to meet the two of you.

[whod81.livejournal.com]

i'm not that underage!

A sincere attempt at an apology

[ebeth.livejournal.com]

If I would have known in any way that us being there would have made you uncomfortable I would have not come. I knew you and jen before I even started going to KYC. I didn't even know that you volunteered there until I think you made a comment on one of my lj posts. So its not like I met you through the youth center and am doing anything to violate that. You have volunteered once when ive been there I think. If it would make you feel better if I didn't go back to KYC thats fine. I don't need to go there. I have known that you aren't allowed to meet with volunteers outside the youth center but I don't think of you as jude the volunteer.. I think of you as a friend. I am sorry that not only did I come to your house trashed, but I continued to drink. Not only that but I let Justin drink also. Again, im sorry and I hope you can accept my sincerest apologies.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_epiphany_girl_/]

This is me in California congratulating you on the move-in and great party. *grin*

And I'm glad you had a great time, youth drinking not withstanding.

I wondered about that...

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I forget sometimes, because LJ has really clouded the waters. I mean, I "met" some of these people on LJ and not at the youth group. So I forget sometimes, or else I just don't know where the actual line is. Bleh.

Come on, Patti, let's go to Hooters. ;)

I wondered about that...

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I don't know enough about the new board (most of the old board has termed out - the ones I knew) to know if they would freak. Then again, I don't know if the coordinator will even tell them. We'll see what happens.

It's done now - no big deal. :)

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

You'll have to come have your own private party!

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Thanks, sunshine.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

I was really glad to meet the infamous Geanna! (She doesn't look anything like her stretched out golf shirt photo.)

You two are very cute.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Do me.

A sincere attempt at an apology

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Ebeth,

I sincerely mean it when I say that the very last thing I would ever want you to do would be to quit going to KYC. I would imagine that the volunteer-youth rules are in place at least partially to make KYC a safe option for the youth, and so that the youth won't ever be in an awkward position. I feel terrible that the awkward position has happened, and that you might consider withdrawing yourself. Please don't do it on my accord.

I agree with you that I don't necessarily think of you as one of the youth (I honestly think of you as "Tara's friend" mostly because that's what I met you as), it's just a weird situation all around.

[judecorp.livejournal.com]

Whoo hoo, California HERE WE COME!