"I don't do goofy photos."

It's simple words like those that baffle me.

We were taking group photos earlier tonight, and someone said we should switch it up, "Let's do goofy photos...!" And behind me I hear "Yea I don't DO goofy photos," as a few others chimed in.

What does that mean? When did they lose the sense of fun and ridiculousness that I think is vital to one's well-being? Was it they never learned the importance of play? Or is it a public versus private persona that is being threatened?  So many questions, so little time to run studies to find out.... 

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Yesterday, my boyfriend started to ask me to imagine a time when I was uncomfortable socially. He stopped before he was done asking the question as he realized that I was incapable of ever being uncomfortable socially, and therefore couldn't fathom such an idea. Yes. By all considerations or measurements, I'm an extrovert who thrives in social situations. I don't, however, reach out to fulfill a need to be social.  I am perfectly content curled up in front of a big screen watching re-runs of my favorite rom-com's. 

In many respects, I reach out to fulfill others' needs to connect with another human being. I see people and I read their sadness. Their anxiety. Their uncertainty. I speak to them plainly, and I gain their trust, as some have articulated, "I don't know why, but I'm comfortable with you" when they are normally reticent. I appreciate their trust, and I do my damnedest to keep the fragile connection.  Frequently I wish I could do more. I wish I could resolve their problems. I wish I had more resources than just my time and my honesty. Yes, I know it matters because we live in a strange world where "social media" is the buzz word, yet Wherever I look, we're looking down, and not at each other.  

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So if you were wondering, my foray into Introduction to Apparel Construction has had mixed results. The good? I now know how to sew a button! AND to operate an industrial sewing machine! AND sew a straight line!  The bad? I am easily just as slow at sewing as I am at writing papers.  I don't know if it falls under time management as I know what needs to be done and I know the deadlines I face, and even as I work incredibly hard and continuously, I just always seem to fall behind. "Slow and steady wins the race," doesn't quite work in academia. Especially not in a quarter system.   Nevertheless, the first sewing project I completed was the assembly of a bag that was made from 40 disposable plastic bags!  And yes, I patted myself on the back when I completed it, and I have been carrying it around everywhere.

Picture to follow.

...and I need to write more.