Inapropriate laughter is definitely the best, especially when it is unappreciated by the bystanders, but most especially when it it unappreciated by the bystanders who have made you a social outcast.

I was at summer camp when I was 12 and I was hated there. I had the worst time ever. Part of the reason was because I didn’t know what Guess? Jeans and Reeboks were (they were the newest fad, but I went to Catholic school and wore a uniform and hand me downs) I was considered a total dork and admittedly I probably was a total dork.

Another reason is probably because I was smarter than anyone there. I told the counselors that we should not be playing in the river because there was a lightening storm and they scoffed and told me I was an idiot and the only way it was dangerous to be in water during a lightning storm was if you were in a pool with a light. “Know It Alls” get hated quickly.

We were at “the lodge” having our daily pow wow. Everyone was in a circle in the middle of the room and I was sitting in the window. I was “the outcast”. I was imagining jumping out that window and running away. I just wanted to go home.

One might wonder if there was any one thing that could happen that would instantly make my time there worse, what would it be and could it possibly happen?

Oh yeah, it could and it did. I got gas. I thought for sure I’d be able to sneak it out quietly. I did the old lift the side of the butt up preparing to eek it out.

Did it work like that? Of course not. I ripped the loudest fart.

I can still see it. It’s like slow motion. Every head in that room turned and looked at me with complete and total disgust.

What did I do? I laughed. I laughed so hard and so loud. Everyone just shook their heads in disgust.

I went home that day.