Is it normal i am quite awkward at social events

I am fine at work. I am usually holed up in my office and only see my secretary or one, Possibly two other individuals all day. I am comfortable with people my wife and I know. But I never do well at huge dinner parties or after work event. The neighborhood mixers are the worse. The techo rap music and all of the cigar smoke drives me nuts.I almost dropped cherry pie all over a guy I was talking to I was so nervous. I have to attend it is my least favorite part of my life. I am happy my wife has a good time there and I love showing her off.I always end up offending someone or people think I am a snob for not conversing enough. If I laugh too loudly they think I am drunk. If I don't talk the other guests think I hate them. If I carry on about my interests they seem insincere and fake towards me. I try to tell a joke or an antedote and people are either offended or thinks it's lame. If I listen too long they get bored , if I interrupt a person who has been going on too long I seem rude.If someone could clue me in on what to say that would be great. I can't be myself. That doesn't work in these situations.And I can't always talk sports or the weather. Not all of these people are bad people, I have always been a little awkward socially, and so were my parents. We were a very awkward family though.