A downside of the virtual community

[shaolingrrl]

Last night, for about two hours, I thought Fudge was lost. (That's her picture.) I had been taking the garbage to the curb, and at some point probably committed the risky combo of kitchen door open and gate open, though by the time I realized I couldn't find her, I couldn't remember whether I had or not. Anyway, there was a very good possibility

Comments

[amysisson]

So glad your kitty is safe! We had a similar scare when one of ours was inside a cabinet that was latched from the outside. I called Paul at work, he raced home.... by which time I had found her, but it was a good hour before I did, and Paul had been in the backyard (i.e. door had been opened, presenting escape opportunity).

And I don't know who, if anyone, I would have called if Paul had been away. Hmm.....

Anyway, I'm glad you said that about you at cons, because I NEVER would have known you were this introverted! It's not that you floated and weren't noticed; rather, it's the time Paul and I met you at a Strange Horizons party and you seemed completely at ease with us. Perhaps that's because you were talking astronomy and science!

[shaolingrrl]

Having a topic definitely helps. :-) I'm also pretty much "on" at cons, plus I think I've gotten worse over time. The writing not going well (as it's not right now) makes me feel kind of a fraud, so I'm worse then, too. (I guess I've decided to open up a little, huh. :-} )

[dave_gallaher]

You've got the folks you cat sit for right across the bridge....

Glad Fudge is OK.

Dave

[shaolingrrl]

Thank you, Dave. :-) I have a short list of people I would dare call, but a really, really long list of people I shouldn't bother. That's where you and Spring have been all this time.

[deborahlive]

But also I'm just kinda bad about this social stuff. I think one of the things I like about the virtual community is that I can have friends from all over and still stay isolated... [snip]

Me, too. I tend to be a hermit but I'm not anti-social... really! And I know that sounds like a contradiction... but it isn't.

Cons are easy because the Topics of Conversation and Modes of Behavior are (mostly) agreed on ahead of time. Takes the guess-work out of walking into a big crowded party. I experience major social anxiety when I have to go to a school event, even though I know (and genuinely like!) many of the other parents at N's school. It's small, friendly, should be low pressure, but... you know.

Anyway, just wanted to say "Me, too!!"

[deborahlive]

And glad Fudge was okay all along. Storm hides somewhere-I-haven't-found-yet and scares me like that every now and then. I usually find him when he strolls out and asks what all the fuss is about.

[shaolingrrl]

Yeah. It's weird. I love being around people, if I can just hang out and listen. Sooner or later I want to say something, and then I do. But to go in and be brilliant off the bat--it just makes me queasy.

Thanks.

[shaolingrrl]

Not shitty. Not at all. Thank you.

[melissajm]

Glad Fudge is Ok!

I'm like that too= Shy, but a "social animal" at cons. And sometimes I've wondered if it's unhealthy that so many of my friends are online. Then I figure it's not as though I'd have more friends if I didn't have the online ones, and they're important to me, so I'm glad they're there.

[shaolingrrl]

Oh, heck, don't get me wrong! I'm totally glad you're all out there. I just sometimes wish for a "Hugs-On-Demand" service. :-)

[melissajm]

Yeah, virtual just isn't quite the same. ;)