Shyness as an evolutionary tactic

I've been told for years that "shy" and "quiet" are bad. I was labeled "shy" during a performance review at one company, and that was considered the nail in the career coffin. I'm still being told that I need to speak up more. In many business, quiet is bad, even though the talkers often don't add a damned thing to the conversation.

But I digress.

I remember the commercial that the writer of this article refers to. It made me angry. The idea that any sort of reticence is considered automatically bad and needs to be chemically engineered out of one's system, that character traits are disease states, pisses me off. Yes, there are anxiety disorders that are debilitating, that hamper the sufferer's life. Some people should be treated. But being one of life's watchers doesn't make me abnormal. It doesn't make me better, either. It just makes me a differently-shaped piece in life's puzzle, and if that gets under your skin, well, tough.

Shyness as an evolutionary tactic

I've been told for years that "shy" and "quiet" are bad. I was labeled "shy" during a performance review at one company, and that was considered the nail in the career coffin. I'm still being told that I need to speak up more. In many business, quiet is bad, even though the talkers often don't add a damned thing to the conversation.

But I digress.

I remember the commercial that the writer of this article refers to. It made me angry. The idea that any sort of reticence is considered automatically bad and needs to be chemically engineered out of one's system, that character traits are disease states, pisses me off. Yes, there are anxiety disorders that are debilitating, that hamper the sufferer's life. Some people should be treated. But being one of life's watchers doesn't make me abnormal. It doesn't make me better, either. It just makes me a differently-shaped piece in life's puzzle, and if that gets under your skin, well, tough.

My tweets

• Sat, 14:50: Just Sad: watching my 112 lb dog bark furiously at a bumblebee resting on the edge of a board. Bee ignored him.
• Sun, 09:32: A lesson in political maneuvering: The Road to Gay Marriage in New York - http://nyti.ms/lB7OzK
• Sun, 09:33: RT @ebertchicago: The thing is, without bee pollination, we die. http://bit.ly/jXbdZ7
• Sun, 09:34: Another coolish, sunny morning, another breakfast on the deck. I could get used to this.
• Sun, 10:23: Shyness as an evolutionary tactic http://j.mp/lAfiiv

My tweets

• Sat, 14:50: Just Sad: watching my 112 lb dog bark furiously at a bumblebee resting on the edge of a board. Bee ignored him.
• Sun, 09:32: A lesson in political maneuvering: The Road to Gay Marriage in New York - http://nyti.ms/lB7OzK
• Sun, 09:33: RT @ebertchicago: The thing is, without bee pollination, we die. http://bit.ly/jXbdZ7
• Sun, 09:34: Another coolish, sunny morning, another breakfast on the deck. I could get used to this.
• Sun, 10:23: Shyness as an evolutionary tactic http://j.mp/lAfiiv

Sunday afternoon

Out on the deck. The rain predicted for the weekend has yet to materialize, and may hold off until tomorrow. Yesterday grew cloudy and a little cool, but today has been lovely--sunny, 70s, light breeze. I'm spending as much time outside as possible.

A pot containing the carcass of today's roast chicken, bits from the freezer, and assorted herbs and veggies is simmering away, my first attempt at stock in a while. The roast chicken was possibly the best yet. I managed to insert the temp probe in just the right spot, and this time the chicken roasted through w/o overcooking--the juices ran clear when I cut into the thigh joint. The bed of fennel, onion, and carrots had roasted to the point of sweetness. Had mashed parsnips on the side. Full now.

The pups get tired when I spend most of the day outside. Gaby wants to be with me, but even though she tries to sleep, she's distracted by every sound and is exhausted by the end of the day. Then there's King, who prefers it cool, dammit--I just let him back inside, where the A/C is keeping it more to his liking.

I want 5 months of this weather. Ain't gonna get it, but gonna wish anyway.

Sunday afternoon

Out on the deck. The rain predicted for the weekend has yet to materialize, and may hold off until tomorrow. Yesterday grew cloudy and a little cool, but today has been lovely--sunny, 70s, light breeze. I'm spending as much time outside as possible.

A pot containing the carcass of today's roast chicken, bits from the freezer, and assorted herbs and veggies is simmering away, my first attempt at stock in a while. The roast chicken was possibly the best yet. I managed to insert the temp probe in just the right spot, and this time the chicken roasted through w/o overcooking--the juices ran clear when I cut into the thigh joint. The bed of fennel, onion, and carrots had roasted to the point of sweetness. Had mashed parsnips on the side. Full now.

The pups get tired when I spend most of the day outside. Gaby wants to be with me, but even though she tries to sleep, she's distracted by every sound and is exhausted by the end of the day. Then there's King, who prefers it cool, dammit--I just let him back inside, where the A/C is keeping it more to his liking.

I want 5 months of this weather. Ain't gonna get it, but gonna wish anyway.

My father's daughter

Dad was a junk collector.

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My father's daughter

Dad was a junk collector.

( Read more... )