Joining

I am admittedly a skeptic and at times a cynic, and this has inhibited my opportunities to participate in many group activities. I never joined a fraternity, or a high school sports team, and yet my life is comprised of membership in various sub-cultures and closed circle groups. The Bonanza Fan Club and Hoss’s Riders within that, the Defenders of Funk (my breakdance crew in high school and my first seven years of college), the Transerv Red Army (the bicycle messenger company I worked for in PDX) and now I have yoga, and my small riding crew of 3 full-time members and 124 part-timers. There is a kool-aid stain on my upper lip, I don’t claim to be special.

Aside from these ad-hoc comglomerates though, nothing serious. I’m even suspicious of AAA. I don’t know why this aversion to exclusivity. When the Sneetches start up with the belly painting I run the other way as fast as I can. Am I missing out on something? Have any of you felt the warm embrace of a fraternal organization, a professional association, or an exclusive congregation?

The Munson Monday group ride has me wondering these things.

Juancho

7 Responses to Joining

  1. I refuse to belong to any organization with the word “club” in the title. Also, “organization.” Also, Association.
    Or, of course, church.
    Mostly.
    Girl Scouts was sort of fun sometimes.

  2. Joining for short term common purpose- like a bike ride or putting out a fire- is understandable and even encouraged. If matching clothing is involved turn and run as fast as you can.

  3. I’m with Groucho on this one.

    “I wouldn’t be a member of any club that would accept me as a member.” And I mean that in every way possible.

    But and so, if we are all meeting in the woods with our bikes…count me in.