I was so excited about my first work from home day on the new job. Don't have to get up early! Don't have to put on fancy clothes! Don't have to deal with people!

When I grabbed my work laptop, I neglected to also grab a power cord. So I will be dropping by work later today anyway.

The stars are against you, Jesse! Or you are against them, I'm not sure.

Good luck, Sox. I hope you can find a way to ease/cope with the anxiety. Would a valium or some such before the blood draw mess things up medically?

STICK TO THE PLAN, SELF!

I'm not posting this on FB because I'm friends with a lot of Tim's family on there, PLUS this really isn't a complaint about his family, but I wouldn't want them to take it that way.

It's been almost exactly a year since I've worked in an office with other people. Meaning, it's been a year since I've been more isolated than usual on a daily basis, what with working from home by myself.

So being in a (large) house with 7 other people (and 9 more next door who belong to us) started to get on my introverted nerves after 1 day. That's NEVER happened before when we've gone to the beach. Yikes.

It's really not them -- no one is being annoying (other than Tim's dad endlessly grumbling and complaining about EVERYTHING, Jesus Christ, but he does that anyway, so I'm used to it) or weird or intrusive. It's just having people around me all the time is a HUGE change and I need way more alone time than I have in years past, and I don't want them to think I'm shunning them, because I'm not. Except I guess technically I am, but not as a judgment!

Sheesh.

I know how that is, Tep, and how hard it is to explain to people who don't feel that way. Good luck finding some Tep time without hurting feelings!

Don't get me wrong; they all brought books, so there is plenty of quiet time, but I still need to have my quiet time be alone time. I think everyone is cool with it, but I just don't want to come across like they're annoying me.

Long walks help! Or walking long enough to find a place to huddle by yourself for a while. :-)

Sox, I know a great hypnotist who works with fears and phobias -- even if he doesn't 'cure' you, he will help you get into a calm Zen zone. He is in Houston, but he will work over Skype.

Dan Perez Tell him Connie Hirsch sent you.

Sox, I sympathize, so much. I get terrible anxiety around needles. But you will adjust! Soon you'll be all, Needles, meh, whatever, bring me a cookie.

Steph, it's hard out here for an introvert. But they're all book people too, right? They'll understand!

Sox, I sympathize, so much. I get terrible anxiety around needles.

I just had a dental thing done that I was terribly anxious about, and I brought a worry stone to have in my hand as the unpleasantness was going on in my mouth. It was so, so helpful. Not a special stone, per se, just one I found that had a comfortable shape and texture. Just having something else to be able to physically focus on allowed me to relax. A bit.

Thanks you guys. I have Valium and I've been doing accupunture to try and get better at this. It helps. But still, this helps more. Yes, I am posting stoned.