What's Your F*cking Problem? (WYFP): YKos wallflower edition

** Won't you please share the joy of WYFP by recommending?
WYFP is our community's Saturday evening gathering to talk about our problems, empathize with one another, and perhaps share advice. Everyone and all sorts of troubles are welcome. May we find peace and healing here. :-)
thanks Elizabeth D

Let me start by saying this has not been the easiest diary for me to write. When I volunteered to take the slot I did so without thinking what it would entail. Generally speaking, I do not post diaries very often and for good reason; so many others have such a gift for writing that I sometimes just sit in awe of what I read on this site.

I am a social introvert by nature. I tend to have few close friends and usually don’t do well at social functions where I’m a part of a large group of unfamiliar people. Most of the time I find the conversations interesting, but my self-consciousness keeps me from engaging in the discussion. Usually, I stand at the perimeter of a group, listen for a while, and move on to another discussion where I will repeat the same unapproachable behavior. After my many failed attempts to mingle, I’ll typically proceed to the outskirts of the gathering where I can relax, be alone, and begin the mental countdown to my exit within an acceptable time frame. It is a real problem that I haven’t been terribly successful in overcoming, and probably never will. Of course, my wife is just the opposite.

You might be wondering then why a wallflower like me would decide to attend such a huge gathering like Yearly Kos next week. Well, the common bond of this community (and especially WYFP) was definitely influential in my making the decision. I feel that I’ve come to know many of the posters on Daily Kos and I’ve decided that it’s time to reach beyond the safety of anonymous cyberspace. I know that I might disappoint some and I might be disappointed by some others; might not get the opportunity to meet those I care about and yet might find that I care about others I haven’t had the pleasure of getting to know. My only hope is that I can overcome my insecurity for the duration of the convention.

So, if you happen to be in attendance at Yearly Kos next week, and see a salt & pepper haired mid-fifties male showing the signs of anxiety that I have mentioned, please walk up to him and remind him of this Saturday night diary (or just kick him in the ass). I’m sure he would be grateful. Oh, and if you are attending Yearly Kos let me direct you to two diaries that your's truly found very informative: Flying Solo at Yearlykos!! August 1, 7pm by Bendygirl and Flying Solo II and other off-the-schedule Ykos events by mem from somerville.

Sorry about the short diary, but it really is the participation from the community that makes WYFP a Saturday treasure. Anyway, what’s on your mind tonight?