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I care a lot about what people think about me. Whether it’s my coworkers, the readers on this site, or even my best friends, I’m constantly anxious about the way my actions are going to be perceived. Will they think I’m trying too hard? Will they think I’m pretentious? Is there a way for me to do what I want to do without it being misinterpreted and making me feel like shit in the long run?
Obviously, this is just another example of me overthinking everything that I do. In fairness, it’s gotten a lot better. I’ve started just owning who I am and doing whatever I want to do, and apologizing for it later. For the most part, it’s been working out. People appreciate the assertiveness and spontaneity. I’m sure my boyish charm doesn’t hurt either.
But this week, I found out that there are some things that you really can’t get away with, and it’s coming to bite me in the ass. For example:
I made a small but significant mispronunciation.
Chicago was beautiful last Saturday. The highs were in the upper 60s with hardly a cloud in the sky. Naturally, the only thing that we had on our mind was drinking while being outside in any capacity. I fired off a few feeler texts only to remember that all my dude friends live in the suburbs and all my lady friends were out of town. Luckily, my friend Angela was around, and so we both walked about a mile from opposite directions to meet up at Derby in Lincoln Park.
My personal go-to warm weather drink is the classic Gin and Tonic, and I can’t tell you how excited I was to get back into that. I downed four in the first two hours and kept going throughout the night. After catching up with Angela, I got invited to a friend of a friend’s going away party. Gin Drunk Charlie accepted, and realized upon walking in the bar that he was the only man with the group.
We ordered a few rounds, and when I finally needed a refill, I stood up, and dizzily looked around the table at everyone else’s glasses to see who else needed a round.
“What, uh, what are you looking at, Charlie?” asked the friend of a friend.
Being the only man in this situation, I thought it would be really funny to say something sassy. The only thing is that Gin Drunk Charlie doesn’t know how sassy works. So what I tried to say was, “Just tryna git you betchez some more dranks!” But what I actually said was this:
“Just trying to decide whether or not I should get you bitches some more drinks…” which is way more aggressive and not what I was trying to say at all. I was met with several angry faces and ultimately decided to just go home.
I contributed a significant chunk of change to the alcohol industry.
Not to dwell on it, but between Friday and Saturday night, I probably had 15-20 gin drinks, plus a bottle of red wine with dinner Friday night. Normally I’ll just drink whatever’s in the well because I hate myself, but last weekend felt different. Maybe it was because I was trying to impress people, maybe it was because the tease of warm weather brought it out in me, but I was calling out the kinds of gin I wanted with the confidence of an oil tycoon.
Sunday morning was the first morning in the longest time that I’ve woken up legitimately afraid to check my bank account, and let’s just say that I had every right to feel that way. Luckily, I’ll be out in the suburbs this weekend trying to save some money.
I started working out before going to work.
Traditionally, I’ve been a post-work workout guy. I hate getting up early in the morning, the people at the gym that early typically take themselves seriously, and I just don’t fit in. However, as of late, I’ve been seeing myself partake in more and more post-work shenanigans, and I’m not ready to give that up yet.
I think I saw a headline at some point that alluded to working out giving you more energy, which would be dope. That’s what I need the most. When does it kick in? Because right now, I’m calling bullshit. Getting up early to hit the gym is making me want to pass the fuck out at 2:30 p.m., which seems a little counterintuitive to me.
And finally…
I was outed as a PGP contributor at my office.
I don’t know how it happened. Maybe I flew too close to the sun. Maybe I’m too vain in attaching my Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat handles to my account. Frankly, it doesn’t matter how it happened. The fact is it did, and people have read through everything I’ve written here and are looking at me differently. I’ve had several difficult conversations this week with my colleagues about it, and if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that I took a lot my relationships with coworkers for granted. That, and that people really don’t like my takes on U2.
So what does this mean for me? No more office-based humor, that’s for sure. It also knocked my ego down a few pegs, which is necessary every once in a while.
Time to start over and build it back up. .
Respond
Charlie
Using sarcasm as a defense mechanism since 1993. At any given moment I'm either tired, drunk, or stressed out. Get at me at charliepgp@gmail.com or whatever.
@therescharlie
@herescharlie
herescharlie
Charlie, I like your articles. You seem like a cool person to kick it with. That being said, don’t give a fuck about what people think about you. Usually the ones who judge the most or the hardest are usually the biggest closet pieces of shit. It’s you’re job to not care about anything because it deflates insecure people’s false egos and it also eliminates their ammunition supply for when then try to get under your skin. People are generally terrible so by not caring but also being a laid back cool person, you’ve already succeed over most of the population. I was outed as the notorious PGP commenter at my last job and my ex boss who is in his mid 60’s (has a son my age) even said my shit was funny. I used to get down voted into nothingness on here but then ppl caught on. Now look at me lol
Nived is right. I hope your co-workers read this comment – “Go lick a taint you cock-juggler”.
Cock Jogger just made me laugh out loud at my desk
But you had such a great cover. I mean Nived – it’s undecipherable.
When they figured out it was my name spelt backwards I felt naked and afraid
That really took the mystery away from your name. At the same time it’s so obvious I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.
Haha I’m sorry. I’m mysterious like Ray Mysterio
*Rey Mysterio
When you coming out with an article though?
Dude, one of mine got published a couple days ago about bugs and Seattle. Demand is high
A couple of days ago.
Are they on #teamLizzie?
Now we’re asking the real questions.
Tell your colleagues to sack up, this is satire.
Or…..this also gives you a good chance to identify which colleagues are cool or not.
“I’ve started just owning who I am and doing whatever I want to do, and apologizing for it later.”
Be yourself, man. If they don’t like it then they can fuck off.
Charlie just keep doing office humor, what’s the worst that could happen they fire you? Your job probably sucks anyway.
Just think, if they fire you for writing for PGP, you’ll have some awesome content.
How did your work find out it was you? Maybe, I haven’t read all your stuff, but it doesn’t seem like you’ve written anything that could make it too obvious.
Eh I could see the whole western work days and bagel encounters giving him away…that being said I wish I was one of his coworkers
Use your newfound knowledge to run the office. Turn the office against those who have a problem with you through your writing
Your work stories are inspiring. So much so, that I had to start a Tropical Thursday and even the owner has started bringing in Pina Coladas for end of the day.
Its easier to ask for forgiveness than it is for permission. Honestly, you do you and who the hell cares what anybody else thinks!
I love your username. Such a great historical figure.