Who am I?

[anotheranon]

Started by a very interesting post over at geekchick's LJ, I thought I'd participate more fully here, taking her five and adding a sixth. I even made it public, so that folks not on my friends list might get some idea of What's Going On Here?

1. My online and in-person personalities are wildly different - namely, I am MUCH shyer in person than on the screen! However, if I've got some "screen time" with someone under my belt, it's easier for me to break the ice in person, because I have at least some idea of what they're interested in so I can start/participate in conversation. I know this is counterintuitive ("People lie about themselves online all the time! You don't even know what they look like!") but there it is.
   
2. I am very, very bad about overbooking myself. Even fun stuff can get stressful if I don't have a moment to breathe. This is a function of my being interested in a lot of different things and having only so many hours in a day :P I am trying NOT to do this, but don't always succeed.
   
3. Conversation with me can get weird. I have little interest in or ability to do do small talk about the weather, sports, or the latest reality show escapades :P I WILL talk about my odd interests using big strange words ("farthingale", "circular parry", "princess seams") and lots of pop cultural references, so if I don't make sense, feel free to tell me to slow down, explain, and/or shut up!
   
4. I'm one of those people who "fails to thrive" in highly intense social environment (for example, cons), even if I'm having a wonderful time. After a couple of days, I'll need at least an hour or so to myself or I'll get anxious and cranky. This is seldom, if ever, personal.
   
5. Even as an old married thing, I do have little crushes from time to time. I seldom discuss them because it might make friendships awkward, and because without encouragement I can just enjoy that "woo!" feeling without wondering if I'm making someone uncomfortable or otherwise getting stressed out about it. If for some reason you find out that you're one of my crushes, smile, be flattered, and don't worry, I'm not going to press you about it.
   
6. I am paranoid about my identity. The reasons for this are many and of varying legitimacy, but it's the reason why you don't see any clear pictures of me in my icons, or why even my costume pictures don't often show my face. I often lock posts that might give away where I live or who I know in real life, partly to hide myself and partly to protect the privacy of those I write about. I also seldom use real names in my LJ unless I've checked with the individual and know it's ok - you'll see a lot of initials here.
   

Comments

[geekchick]

Conversation with me can get weird.

But it's a good weird! =)

[semmie17.livejournal.com]

I can't vouch for #1 being accurate at all -- you've always talked my ear off, saying very interesting things, making me ponder and making me laugh! :)))))

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Watch out, I might start talking about tranzados or other weird costumey things :P

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

But you see, I had a kind of online "history" with you, so I wasn't as freaked :)

And thank you :) I do try and make people laugh :)

[geekchick]

You say that like that's a bad thing. ;-P I like it when people say things I have to go look up. =)

[rubyjones.livejournal.com]

#1 is interesting. The Internet seems to be a great outlet for shyer people to let their inner extrovert shine through. The main negative consequence of this is that [relative] anonymity brings out the nasty side of people. I don’t understand why some people come online to bag others. Get a life. But back to your point, I am pretty much the same online and IRL, so I was greatly disappointed when I met in person with someone from online who turned out to be the antithesis of his online persona – like I wouldn't notice that everything about him was the exact opposite to what he had said online! Despite that experience though, I like to believe the best in people and I am still optimistic that most people are truly showing their own personalities (and pictures! The guy had used a photo of himself, but it was at least 10 years old!). I still believe that the Net is a valid way of meeting new people – with the huge advantage being that some of these people are in other countries and I would never normally get to meet them.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

Believe me, I know how some people can be very nasty on the internet! I guess it's just easier when there isn't someone standing right there to punch you out if you're rude, insulting or otherwise crass.

Ironically, I remember one very rude online personality who was actually quite mild-mannered in real life. Strange boy, had problems.

For me the advantage of Internet socializing is finding people who actually share interests with me - most people don't really get into the minutiae of historic costume, different fencing techniques, or weird sci-fi tv shows :P