How an Un-Fun Person Attempted to Have Fun

A friend recently told me that while I was fun to be around, I didn't know how to have fun. And then I was all, thanks? I didn't quite understand, so I pressed him for more details. He went onto explain that my definition of “fun” strayed from the traditional sense. He asked when was the last time I went snorkeling. Or danced until 3 a.m.. Or sang karaoke. Or packed a picnic and attended a concert in the park.

My answers were: Never. A decade. I wouldn't put people through that misery. I hate ants.

Precisely, he said.

For weeks after our conversation, I challenged myself to have fun. But seeing how I consider sitting on the beach with a good book fun, I consistently drew blanks when it came to ideas. It actually got to a point where I asked JD, WHY CAN'T I FIND FUN STUFF TO DO TO PROVE MY FRIEND WRONG?!

The answer came as a surprise on a recent trip to Lake Tahoe for a wedding. We walked through the quaint town and saw a gondola ride that boasted of views from the tallest peak in the area. I usually run away from anything touristy, but I saw this as the right time to be fun. Or at least tempt to appear fun.

I dragged JD on board with me, which might not have been the best idea…

We're both afraid of heights, so the entire ride was spent detailing our impending death (death by rolling down the hill, death by crashing into another gondola…I'm telling you, we're a ball of joy to be around. Really.).

When we finally reached the peak, the views were downright amazing. It was a chilly day, but we made the best of it. JD offered to take a photo of me (Don't you need proof of you being fun?!) and while he captured other smiling I'm-on-top-of-the-world moments, I'm posting this picture because, well, this is me. This is the moment before the smile appeared. And, when I look at it, I am reminded to take time to try new things, to be a tourist once in a while, and the best part of having fun is proving your friends wrong along the way!

Happy Friday!