Inside Jokes

   I want to talk about inside jokes.  They are either a constant source of joy, or the worst thing in the world. When you have an inside joke, it's fantastic and whenever something reminds you of it you have to stifle laughter.  For example, if my friend Brice or I ever say the phrase "glub glub" we'll start laughing.  But for anyone outside of that, you'll just be annoyed because you don't know what it means. It's terrible.
    I remember one time I was hanging out with two of my friends, and they had one of those moments where they shared an inside joke.  I wasn't there when it was created, and therefore I did not understand the humor of the situation. I felt soooooooooo left out (seeing as how I still think about it, I obviously still bear the scars).  So yes, I do know what it feels like to be on the other side of it.
   A friend of mine once said to me "friendship is like peeing your pants.  Everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth."  I am aware that he did not create this saying, but I did appreciate him saying this to me. Well, inside jokes are the embodiment of this sentiment.  And yes, I know if you see someone peeing their pants in public you're probably going to  have some judgmental thoughts.  But that's wrong because they may have more going on than meets the eye.  And inside jokes? You can't judge people for having them because you know for a fact that you have them too.
   I was jealous of my friends for having inside jokes without including me for so long.  How dare my friends have friends other than me!?  But then I made an inside joke around someone who wasn't involved and I saw the light.  Friendship without inside jokes is like a book without characters.  Nobody wants to be a part of that.  It's integral to the structure of the entity.  And part of what makes inside jokes so special is that it's a bond that is shared by only two people in the ENTIRE WORLD.  That's huge.  So next time you feel left out of an inside joke, just remember that you're witnessing something incredibly special and unique, and that you really shouldn't be jealous of other people being happy.  Thanks for reading until the end.  I appreciate your company, and anything you have to say is welcome.