Favorite {Photo} Friday--Solitary

I believe I've mentioned before on here that I'm a major introvert. A lot of people (like Katie!) don't believe that, because I'm social and can be outgoing. But the difference is that, unlike extrovert Jason who gets so recharged by interaction with others that after a big party he bounces around like a kid on Jolt Cola (and we are ALWAYS the last couple to leave a party because I almost literally have to drag him out, I am not kidding), being social requires a lot of energy from me. A LOT. No matter how much I like or love the people I'm hanging out with, my energy is drained by spending time interacting with other people. Let me repeat that because it is huge for me and all introverts: No matter how much I like or love the people I'm hanging out with, my energy is drained by spending time interacting with other people.

So it should come as no surprise that after spending 2.5 weeks traveling around to three different places on opposite sides of the continent via nine different flights, hanging out with people, meeting people, taking classes, making small talk with people whom I didn't know but happened to be sitting by, chatting with vendors at CHA, seeing a bunch of different family members, hanging with my nieces, meeting my good friend's serious boyfriend, not to mention seeing classmates I haven't seen in 15 years, I needed a bit of a break and some serious alone-time.

Those 2.5 weeks were filled with all good things--it was amazing to hang out with Lori and meet Anke (my newest BFF and WHY don't we three live in the same state?), and it was great and fulfilling to see my nieces and my parents, aunt, and grandparents, and I even had a great time at my reunion (at least what I can remember of it--OH LORDY). I loved doing all of it; and then I needed some time to myself. It's like I retreat into a "cave," shunning all interaction. Which is kind of crappy, considering that I hadn't seen Jason in 2.5 weeks and we had some catching up to do! Luckily over the years he's become more understanding of my introvertedness, and as he's become more respectful of my needs (yes, for me time alone is a need, not a want) then I'm more willing to venture out of my cave for short stretches to provide a balance. :)

In the midst of my cave-dwelling, last weekend our lovely neighbors (one set of our many sets of lovely neighbors, we're lucky to be on a very friendly street!) invited us to a party at their parents' house on the lake. We'd been wanting to join them at the beautiful house we'd been hearing about for some time, so even though the timing wasn't great for me, we decided to go. Sweet Jason tried to explain to the neighbors about my exhaustion from my travels, just to pave the way for me to take my leave and take a nap if need be. And I am happy to say, it was a great day! There were only two small hang-ups, which I'd like to share in the interest of explaining introvertedness.

First, from the moment we arrived there were screaming children and barking dogs, in that way that seems that you are surrounded and have ended up on the island from Lord of the Flies and there's no way out of the noise and chaos; I didn't know how I'd make it through the day, honestly. Luckily, within an hour it was determined that the culprit was one lone child who was terrorizing every creature in sight and whose mother had absented herself to the house to talk on her cell phone (did I mention the house is on a lake where children need to be watched???); our lovely neighbor, who is a schoolteacher and whom I adore, had a little chat with the mom about her child's behavior and the mom chose to pack up and leave. The entire compound was instantly quieter, I'm not even joking. [Allow me to insert here a small prayer that I never be that mother!]

The second small hang-up was that a friend of our neighbor decided to take it upon himself to make sure I was never alone at any point during the party. Obviously the guy was an extrovert and couldn't imagine any reasonable possibility why a person would actually like to be by him- or herself. I spent more than two hours eating with everyone and swimming in the lake, talking to people (during which time he never introduced himself or made conversation); the moment I headed back to the hammock with my book (I'd not even settled in the hammock or opened the book yet), this guy walked up to me and said in an accusatory tone, "Either that is a really good book, or you are just unsocial." I was so shocked and just wanted to end the conversation that I just said, "I'm really tired." Later when I headed to the dock (when everyone was upstairs on the upper deck) he followed me and said, "What are you doing here by yourself?" I wish I'd had the energy to explain to him that I just wanted a few minutes to myself; instead I just said that I'd come to get a drink (true) and then I headed back upstairs.

I can appreciate that the guy was, in his own way, trying to include me. But the point is that if you are an extrovert (and chances are that you are, since extroverts make up about 75-80% of the population), please understand that we introverts actually crave time alone, even if it's just a few moments. I found this great article that is Top 5 Things Extroverts Should Know About Introverts. All I wanted was a few moments to regroup; instead I felt slightly stalked and harassed; I don't want to be paranoid, but how did this guy always show up within 30 seconds of my being alone unless he was keeping an eye on me the whole time?

In any event, I've been appreciative of my alone time this week. So what else could I choose for Favorite {Photo} Friday except a photo of a lone, solitary boat in Lago di Garda in Italy? Solitude is not a bad thing, my friends--to me it's a necessity! In fact, as if to add an exclamation point to this week's post, this photo was taken by Jason on our anniversary weekend in 2007, while I napped in the car. I'm not even joking. I was so tired and worn out that I fell asleep and Jason parked the car and took photos for me to see when I woke up! If that isn't love, I don't know what is. :)


Have a fabulous weekend, friends, whether it's partying like a rock star or staying at home and catching up on your DVR! :)