I started blogging again a little over a month ago now.
I happened to fall into wonderful bloggy and twitter friendships immediately.
For me, this is a land-speed-record for friendship.
See, I don’t actually *like* people.
I know, I know, that’s hard for you to believe. But that’s because you only know me online. In person I’m actually an ogre who has serious issues with social anxiety, and I might even be slightly sociopathic. Ok, the sociopathic part isn’t true… but the social anxiety part really is. I’ve gotten a little better over the years, but it’s still the case that I have to be dragged kicking and screaming out of the house to interact with people, even the few people that I really like and care about.
See, I don’t have a problem planning to go out. I even look forward to it. Until about a half-hour before I’m supposed to actually go, and then I go, well, nuts. I often end up not going. At my worst, my body has reacted by making me sick so I don’t have to go.
What’s the point of sharing all this with you?
The point is that this seems to not be a problem in my online life! It’s amazing! I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to look forward to interacting with people, and then actually interacting with them. 🙂 It’s truly amazing, and I’m so grateful that I’ve found this community, and that I’ve found this part of myself.
And to put icing on the cake, apparently this part of me is a person that people seem to genuinely like, which still surprises me no end.
Someone who’s been wonderful to me in the short time we’ve known each other is Kristi, The Robot Mommy. Her funny robot-y goodness has kept a smile pasted on my face since I made her acquaintance.
Yesterday, to my astonishment and intense pleasure, Kristi awarded me a Best Supportive Blogger award (along with 9 other bloggers who you should go check out, STAT). You can see the badge now on my sidebar (and darn it’s cute!).
I don’t blog or comment or tweet or send hugs to be rewarded, but it’s really cool to get one and know that I’m appreciated. 🙂
Thanks Kristi, I’m doing The Robot in your honor right now.
I'm Not Writing A Novel 
December 1, 2011 at 11:29 am
“See, I don’t have a problem planning to go out. I even look forward to it. Until about a half-hour before I’m supposed to actually go, and then I go, well, nuts. I often end up not going. At my worst, my body has reacted by making me sick so I don’t have to go.”
Yes!!
I will say, once I go out, I almost invariably have a good time. But it’s GETTING me there that is the trial.
December 1, 2011 at 11:33 am
Yes! I’m always amazed (generally) at the good time I have if I can just get over myself. I’m lucky that M is very gregarious and gets me to go out much more often than I ever would have on my own.
December 1, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Okay, i just replied to your comment on my blog, and now I have to come here and apologize. I spelled your name VenIs. Yeah. . . like penis. Only with a v. I was more or less mortified, since you’ve commented one time, and then I misspelled your name when I replied.
So. . . I’m very sorry. Please come back. I’ll do better next time.
December 1, 2011 at 7:09 pm
Hahahahah! I know it was an honest typo, no worries! Thanks for letting me know though. I will be sure to return and read new stuff. 🙂
December 1, 2011 at 11:31 am
Sweet!
So deserving, you are. We write for us but we blog to connect. Your connection has made an impact with me as well.
December 1, 2011 at 2:52 pm
Well, congratulations! Awards are always fun. The wonderful thing about blogging is we can be social while still hiding in our quiet caves (myself included).
December 1, 2011 at 3:51 pm
Thanks Amber! 🙂 Good to know I’m not alone.
December 1, 2011 at 3:48 pm
I feel the same way about going out, maybe not to the point of physical illness, but similar.. But I usually find that once I get there, I have a good time, especially if it’s with people I know and care about.
December 1, 2011 at 3:52 pm
Thanks Amanda, I’m so glad you stopped by! It’s funny how that dread works, isn’t it? And do you find that you’re often the life of the party once you’re out?
December 1, 2011 at 7:32 pm
I’ve struggled with social anxiety disorder since I was a teenager.
If you met me in perosn you would think I was pretty weird and definitely crazy.
I’m glad we found each otehr’s blogs. Like you, I sem to interact with likeminded people online better than I do in real life. I’m amazed at how much support is out there.
Keep writing, Venus. I’ll keep reading
December 1, 2011 at 11:40 pm
I totally feel the same way … I started reading blogs as a way to keep myself entertained at work… and then became inspired to write my own. Since then I’ve met the most AMAZING people and I’m so fucking grateful for all of you!!!
December 2, 2011 at 12:58 pm
Back atcha! 🙂