I wouldn't call myself shy. At least not when first meeting people. I love parties, being thrust in with many strangers. What fun. What is so hard for me is to then go to the next level, beyond the casual conversation of small talk. I'm afraid that people will discover that deep down I'm a very shallow person. This makes me hesitate to make the call to have someone to dinner or spend an afternoon with a new acquaintence/friend. If I have a reason to be thrown together with people, like at work or through music, etc. being with them is no problem because we have that between us. I first recognized this trait in college. 20+ years later, I still have it. But as I get older, I find myself being much more willing to state my opinion and offer up ideas. I think this is helping. I'm finally coming into my own as a person and am not so afraid of letting others see what's inside.

It does amaze me how shy people and nervous (like me) people can get up and perform.

emily