Gits and Shiggles

You know that thing where you're casually strolling down a street or sitting down under some nice tree and eating your lunch or petting someone else's dog when suddenly... you hear it. The telltale manic laugh of a gaggle of girls, often high school aged or similar. You glance over and there they are. Often three or more, all having seemingly lost control of their ability to form words, walk in a straight line or not fall over one another as they collapse into a fit of cackling.

Every time I hear/see this, I think to myself, "Good God. Nothing in this world is funny enough for you to be laughing/behaving like that. Take control of yourself, woman!" Why? Does it piss me off? Am I really that bitter and hardened to be pissed off by a bunch of girls laughing, albeit very loudly and somewhat obnoxiously? In many ways, yes, I am very bitter and hardened. But then again, no. Sometimes, I genuinely feel they are putting it on and whatever they are "laughing" (generous use of the term "laughing." Guffawing, squawking or something else less attractive may be more appropriate) at is not worthy of such hearty laughter.

But then I think to myself (sometimes hours later), "That kind of looked like fun." Because nothing, nothing, is more genuinely heartening or joyous than indulging in one of those incontinence-inducing laughing fits, especially when it is with your Special Lady Friends. Nothing gives you more energy and life than literally stumbling around like a 3am drunkard, snorting and dragging in desperate gasps of air between whatever strange animal sounds are coming out of your mouth.

This seems to be something that only happens with girls. I have seen guys and their Special Man Friends sharing a good laugh but I don't think I've seen quite the same degree of hysteria that one often sees with girls.

Having and sharing a laugh like that is one of life's greatest gifts. We must be grateful and we must not judge others.

J