And... okay, I'm a big dork, am'n't I?

Yes. But you wield a mighty metaphor that I, for one, think is KICKASS.

That is a FANTASTIC metaphor. And very accurate.

I'm also afraid that people who I don't know very well, and who I am hanging out with for the first few times I am convinced I am irritating them.

Heh. I felt the exact same way when I met up with you in Dallas a few years ago. It took me most of that first night (and three or so drinks) to realize that you were actually enjoying my company. FTR, I never got anything other than a supremely confident "I-know-who-I-am-and-fuck-you-if-you-don't-like-it" vibe off of you.

I think I'm becoming more introverted as I get older. Once I get past the "Why would people want to hang out with ME?" stage, I love being around people. Now I find that I need more alone time to regain my equilibrium.

YES, amych! That's exactly how I look at it.

Oh, and if you're a dork, than so am I. And I'm good with that.

Congratulations, Kate and DH!

Dorks FTW!

Aw, thanks Maria! You were wonderful to hang out with! Everyone thought so.

I am a social introvert, I guess. I have no problems being around people; I AM picky about the people I choose to be around and being around large, noisy groups of people I don't know is generally annoying to me. But I have no problems meeting people I don't know, or speaking publicly or whatnot. Or being bossy.

But once I am done, I am done. See ya, had fun, going home, reading, quiet, happy, bye.

I took a personality inventory once that said I am not gregarious. For whatever reason, I got all defensive and challenged the prof who, basically said what Vortex's friend said. "When you are depressed, do you want to be around other people?" Oh, god no. "Then you aren't gregarious."

I also think that I have become more introverted over time, though I believe I have always lived more in my head than in my environment.

I LOVE the shields metaphor. I have shields like Serenity's...adequate for protection, but in constant need of adjustment and/or tinkering.

But I have no problems meeting people I don't know, or speaking publicly or whatnot. Or being bossy.

But once I am done, I am done. See ya, had fun, going home, reading, quiet, happy, bye.

So MUCH this! I could strike up a convo with a dead person, and then I'm out.

Related, kind of.

Good day with Darb today. She's been really anxious the past couple of days, and it's so hard because I don't really know what to do for her. Cleaning all the things was a little traumatic, but she's super sensitive to her environment so I think some of the things I did or rearranged have helped. She's been a lot more confident/interactive today.

I moved my desk into the living room a couple of weeks ago, and she's much more inclined to come up to me when I'm sitting there instead of on the couch. Weird. But my couch and chair are a little big for the arrangement that makes this possible. Gah. I already bought her a car. I don't need to buy her a new living room set.

"When you are depressed, do you want to be around other people?" Oh, god no. "Then you aren't gregarious."

What is your definition of depressed here? Because when I'm depressed, yeah, don't want anything to do with anyone. It's kind of one of the main diagnosing factors of depression--that you isolate. But, when I'm not depressed? I'm most often described as vivacious and gregarious. So, I don't buy that distinction at all.