This last weekend was supposed to be very fun and full of volleyball. I was asked to play on an acquaintance's team for a fund-raiser volleyball tournament. I am always up for some volleyball so I was looking forward to the all day tourney. My acquaintance asked me to bring a guy-friend that could play. I invited one of my recent friend that is a blast to play with, J. I meet him in SLC and when we got there I realized it was pretty much an all-Polynesian tourney. There were probably 12 white people there with about 100+ Poly and me. J kind of stuck out, but I didn't mind being there because I've had plenty of time with poly's before.
When we started playing, J and I were informed that we picked up two extra players from another team that hadn't show up. It didn't effect my playing time because the two extra players were guys. It was a coed tourney so there had to be three or more girls on the court at all times. Although J was supposed to be on the original team he didn't get much playing time. With two guys added to the already four on the team none of the guys stayed in much. So half way through the tourney J left to hang with his girlfriend. I thought it would be better because then we would have consistent people on the court. Well... before J left we were winning about half of our games. Actually exactly half of them. After he left we won only one of the three games we played, therefore kicking us out of the double elimination bracket. :(
Not only did the playing level go down after J left but I felt more out of place. Weird I know but I have good reason. The acquaintance of mine is an interesting guy. He had a difficult time waking up for the first game and I just figured he stayed up late. I was right but I found out what he was doing during his late night hours in the middle of our second match. I was right next to him on the court and he leaned in the talk to me. The smell of alcohol hit me like a wall. I was so shocked to smell him so strongly. Who in the world drinks in between any sports game?! Every time I was by him I had to do one of three things 1- hold my breathe, 2- turn away, or 3- breathe into my hands. I was so surprised that someone would literally be drunk while playing!! After J left, I felt even more uncomfortable because I didn't want to talk with my team very much but I didn't want to sit alone.
The next thing that made it hard to be at the tournament was another breach on the Word of Wisdom. A few of the people my teammates knew would take their breaks outside. The weather was beautiful so I could see why I would go out there. However, when these people came back inside to sit by the teammates that were by me, I again had to plug my nose and turn away. they were smoking right out the front doors and then coming in to play volleyball. Again, who in their right mind do that?! I mean seriously. What did I get myself into?! I did not feel like playing anymore!
One last thing, the guys on my team, apart from J, were quite unique. They all fit in with each other very well because I think they all were gay. I'm not trying to be rude or anything but I just couldn't stand spending the entire day with gay men around me. Some of the guys were seriously acting way more feminine than I would ever act.
As I have been thinking about what I see as a wasted weekend, I can't help but notice what peace and comfort I feel by living the gospel standards!! I don't think it would be very fun to be the one that makes others uncomfortable by reeking of alcohol or smoke. I wouldn't want to stand out from a group because I was one of the rare ones that "swing a different way" when it comes to relationships. Not only does the gospel allow me to keep the company of many different people without making them uncomfortable, it also allows me the health and strength I need to perform in sports! I have heard from many different sources that getting outside of your comfort-zone is good for you but I have decided to never leave this particular comfort-zone!!!
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