A Farewell to Awkward

I have apparently done something to offend postage stamps. They regularly have a mass exodus from the box they are kept in under my desk. Can't think of what it is.

Is there a stamp pilgrimage or Hajj that I am unaware of? If so, I have very devout stamps.

TODAY? The AWKWARD


1. Wanting dexterity in the use of the hands, or of instruments; not dexterous; without skill; clumsy; wanting ease, grace, or effectiveness in movement; ungraceful; as, he was awkward at a trick; an awkward boy. [1913 Webster]


2. Not easily managed or effected; embarrassing.
"An awkward affair is one that has gone wrong, and is difficult to adjust." --C. J. Smith.


3. Perverse; adverse; untoward.


I throw around the word "awkward" frequently. This is largely because I have learned to embrace it. People spend so much of their life trying to escape what they perceive to be awkward, as it is admittedly an uncomfortable experience. But awkward is certainly yet another way to look at the world.

Even the most suave person has a great potential for awkward--whether it is awkwardness of the limbs or a situation.


Awkward is also a bonding experience. If you survive an awkward situation with someone, you will be able to commiserate over it later in life. Unless it’s the sort of awkward where you never want to think about it ever, ever again. Then it will probably have the opposite effect.


I may be putting the awkward aside after this summer, but my studying of all that is awkward has led me to understand that awkward is all in the timing. I've always had a pretty good grasp on timing, so changing it slightly to allow for awkward to ensue is not that difficult.

Say something a second too soon, a second too late (or five minutes too early/late, if you reeeeally want to go for the gold), and you have some awkward on your hands.


By living in a constant state of awkward as shown in the second definition, it is entirely possible you will take on some of the physical attributes of awkward. At least, this is my experience.


(AHHHH FLOBOTS WHY?! Sorry, Pandora Radio just ambushed me with "Handlebars.")

While the awkward has served me well as both an experiment and a defense mechanism, I think I will have to severely cut back on the amount of awkward I introduce into my own life. It can help, but does not usually go over well in interviews. One cannot allow it to become an ingrained habit. Obviously exterior awkwardness will obviously still have a place in my life.


On this note, I must now go buy more stamps, and hold them hostage until the others come out of hiding.