I predict that party will not be full of people who are waiting to pounce on other guest's talents and denounce them. It will be full of people who are showing off their own talents and/or nursing their own impostor syndromes.

Talent Show

NO.

That was my answer after reading to this part. I didn't even get to the description. After reading the description. My answer is NO NO.

If you are more game than I am - much praise to you.

BTW, I have a big case of imposter syndrome myself. That self-doubt shit will kill you.

NO was my answer too. Unless it was among really close friends. That party is not an introverts friend.

I agree.

Although, maybe you can pretend your from the West Coast and post you're pictures to wherever it is that they are going to be posted.

(I'm going to blame the agreement problems here with the slight nausea I'm feeling which is some combination of heat, humidity, and not eating right.)

My first instinct was NO, too. Not because I'm an introvert, but because I don't like being told what to do. If they had worded the invitation a little differently, made it more optional, it wouldn't have rankled so much. As it is, I'd be tempted to show up and say something like, "My talent is staring at people until they feel really uncomfortable," and do that for five minutes. But YMMV.

That being said, you are a very talented photographer, and your pictures deserve to be seen by as many people as possible (and maybe start a business, like Jesse said!) so if there's any way that you can show them at the party while still nurturing your introvert, then I say go for it.

I could write an essay re: why the invitation hit me in the wrong way from Amy's fist shake at authority to introversion to basic logistics to feeling like talented people in public-pleasing genres reap benefits at occasions like this. WTF am I supposed to do? Write an academic paper for public fun?

Anyway. Tom you actually have a public-pleasing talent so if you can muster the courage I think you should do it.

Also -- cross-fit is HARD CORE

Lots of derby people do cross-fit. Not me, because I'm too lazy. But I take a TRX class twice a week and the occasional Body Pump class.

I could write an essay re: why the invitation hit me in the wrong way from Amy's fist shake at authority to introversion to basic logistics to feeling like talented people in public-pleasing genres reap benefits at occasions like this.

I am right there with you. I'm sure they meant well, but -- I would eat glass before I'd go to a party where I was REQUIRED to perform like a goddamn trained poodle. (I have in fact skipped a wedding because of shit like this. [Also because I didn't really want to shell out plane fare to San Diego.])

As it is, I'd be tempted to show up and say something like, "My talent is staring at people until they feel really uncomfortable," and do that for five minutes. But YMMV.

Ah ha ha! That's fantastic.

If I were Tom, I would make a little slideshow and just show it -- no talking, etc.

LeN, I would totally suggest my sister write an academic paper or deconstruct some shit for public fun.

Since my talent is beating people up, it's at least more people-pleasing than I'm gonna be. And I'm gonna do what I'm gonna do.

An invite like that is pretty clear about you not having to please the public, if you can satisfy the letter of the law (and perhaps amuse the fuck out of yourself). It's way better than a lot I've seen.