SP Hit List: Bad Mood Arising

I see the bad mood arising. I see trouble on the way….

Here we go. You are geared up for a night out on the town, in a club or at a friend’s. You have gallantly finished the work week, put away the daily grind and myriad distractions that comprise the lives we live and you are ready to raise hell enjoy a civilized night out. You and your friends, or your date, or what have you have gathered on this great night and the mood is light with the promise of untold  amusements. Gaiety is afoot (no, I am not afraid to use that word).  Then in walks Pigpen. You know the Peanuts character that walks around in a dirty cloud? Yes, Pigpen walks in with his bad mood and attempts to bring the party down with him like some social Chernobyl.

Anecdote time: SP had the pleasure of being invited to a very nice dinner party last weekend in the country. You know the routine by now. Tasty food, stimulating conversation, liberal libations, even an impromptu dance party after dinner were all in the cards . Oh it was a grand time, I tell you, except for one annoying distraction: Pigpen. Evidently, Pigpen was in a snit with his wife over an argument or marital strife or what have you. He stared intensely and scowled sourly at the other guests throughout dinner, drinks, even on the dance rug. He tried in earnest to bring the mood down to his level, but thank God, we, the rest of the party, were far too strong to be diluted. Any lesser souls would have succumbed to his attempt to ruin the night, but oh not we dear reader. This hearty band of merrymakers squashed him.

Let us delve deeper into this annoying phenomenon. First, why should anyone even know that someone is having marital problems or in a bad mood? This should be disguised from all but our closest friends and family. Second, if one is in a mood, STAY HOME! If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times:  it is the responsibility of every single person at an event to contribute to that event’s merriment.  Dance for your drinks and sing for your supper.

Now believe me. As sunshine and roses as I like to believe my personality to be, there are times when the black cloud descends even on the effervescent SP. I know. It is hard to believe, but it is true. And when this happens I respectfully decline an invitation. Who wants it? Not I, not the guests, certainly not the host. Leave your bad mood at home until the sun shines again and you can offer your best self to the world, not your worst.  Good times can be hard to come by. Don’t throw a wet blanket on the festivities. Stay at home and curl up in it instead.