Christmas Party?

Tomorrow (Friday) after work our company is having a staff Christmas Party.
It isn't really anything too fancy. In reality, we're all just going to the bar together to have a good time.
I'm looking forward to it. My crewmates are all so unwilling to open up at work, so it's a good chance to break down their walls.

I have a 'date' for tomorrow. It's a MAN.
Now, hold on. Don't get too excited. Owen is his name, and I invited him to come because he's pretty cool. He works on our crew, but he's from a different company. Since our party is G.S. Landscaping only, I asked if it was okay to bring a date. The boss said I could bring a friend if I wanted, so I chose a fellow worker. How nice was that?
Heh heh. Some of you are breaking out in a nervous sweat I bet. I can only imagine the thoughts in your peoples heads (only because mine are so dirty as well). But I assure you, as cute as Owen can be (for a 26 year old, dirty-blond haired boy) he is far from ideal. Too emo, and too much false bravado when he's in a good mood.

I plan on beating everyone at pool, using my elite skills from the past to win every game (oh yeah... [Flexes]).
I'll get to hob-know with the boss, and chat freely with the crew, and practice opening up and having fun in public.

I've begun extreme changes in my attitude, trying very hard to loosen up and enjoy life. I'm too serious, too restrained. I want to be able to shrug off my noble mantle once in a while and just act like everyone else.
So far I have made significant changes. It's not readily apparent, but I can joke and speak in public easier now, I can actually use small-talk (even though I tend to kill it by dragging non-interesting tidbits into my conversation), and I'm trying to smile and work on face and body posturing more.
It's a slow change, but one I'm willing to work at, bit by bit. Just adjusting my attitude by thinking positive instead of rolling with whatever mood fits the situation has actually helped. I feel better at work and around others.

Oops. It's later than I thought. Time to crash folks. Cya.
O_x