Social Phobia

I've always gone through cycles of shy and outgoing, and apparently lately I've been extremely shy. Also afraid of people I don't know. This may be due in part to the creepy guys on the bus who think they REALLY need to have their hand on my leg while they confess their love to me. What the hell, guys. What the hell.

Anyways, I am, lamentably enough, finding this shyness to be in the way of making new friends or even keeping the old ones. It's driving me away from interacting sometimes. I can cope just fine when someone starts talking to me, though I get a little nervous, but keeping up connections is hard. I can't make eye contact, can't keep a conversation going.

It's been like this ever since I started college (two years ago). I think it's for a few reasons: one, I left the ever-so-safe bubble of my high school, and now my world is no longer full of safe people. Two, I'm starting my adult life. When ISN'T that scary? Three, I lost a lot of confidence in myself, especially with the job market being what it is.

In good news however, I DO have a job now! I'm the lead graphic designer at my school, and apparently I've done so well I've gotten a raise. That, my friends, is freaking gratifying.

Anyways so I'm getting my AA in Graphic Design, then spending a year or so getting residency in Washington, so that when I decide to dig myself deeper and get a BFA, I'll at least have access to scholarships and in-state tuition. But it's the path I really want to take, which continues to surprise me.

If I can then get a job that will pay for MOAR EDUCATION I'm getting a masters in Comics. Hands down.

Anyways. Yeah.

I wish I could keep friends for longer than a year. Grrahh. At least I have Ryan. We get along so freakin famously.

Also? Go listen to Paul and Storm: www.paulandstorm.com ....They...were awesome in concert. They are one half of the band DaVinci's Notebook, and they have excellent vocals and extremely fun geeky music. They're the opening band for Jonathan Coulton, for those who know him. Those who don't? UH? www.jonathancoulton.com

Okay. We're good now.