And if Mick's wrong about who you are, he might accidentally be nice to someone else.

I've never been shy, but I've suffered from a lack of confidence I've tried to pass off as shyness. Shy people may not lack confidence though, and they'd really rather NOT be in the middle of things or perhaps even noticed.

Getting 'upset about reading Getaway memory threads' sounds an awful lot like the Christmas thread we once had where someone said they really hated reading about everybody else's happiness. I'm planning on enjoying and contributing to these 'huggy' threads without guilt, as much as the FSGW members who aren't on Mudcat probably enjoy talking about the Getaway at the monthly sings or other events. I can't make other people happy and I have enough work making myself happy these days.

Listen to Ebbie's wise advice. (please forgive me for the praise ;-) I developed a bunch of different ways to cope. One of them was telling that little (figurative) voice that said 'Well, I'd LIKE to, but...' to shut the heck up right before the 'but'. Another things is to live in the moment. Have fun where you are, with whomever your with, even if they aren't a good friends. Most people aren't good freiends but just enjoy each other's company. That joking-around stuff may be awkward for you because it's not your style. Don't let anybody make you believe it has to be. If you ask, people probably enjoy you for how you are, not how you think you should be. If you're you're an elusive Luna moth and think you need to be a social butterfly, faggedaboutit! Luna moths are rare and mysterious, and many people never notice them. When they DO, it's usually with a hushed sort of wonder.

People are likely not as close as they can seem. I'm thinkin' of a Fri night jam, watching Bobert & Claymore play together. Why did I NOT get a photo of THAT?! I notice now that most of the things I really enjoyed, I wasn't actually involved in. They're things I just loved watching or listening to.

LEJ - Exquisite poem, but are you sure those weren't turkey buzzards? I owe you a PM.

Peace - I really had hoped you'd be a surprise attendee. I would have loved to have met you and heard your music. Maybe next year?