“But do you have any idea how much energy it takes for the pathologically introverted to do things like smile and not hide under tables? More energy than I have on any average work day, I can tell you that right now.”

Oh, and this:

“And that left us with the usual me, the one who works like mad during every free second so that I can feel like I’m not a complete waste of space.”

Yup, this too:

“I was afraid that I’d say something that would make it obvious that I hadn’t been paying adequate attention. Because god forbid I don’t know the answer to every question before I ask it!”

And OMG this definitely:

“Naturally this did WONDERS for my already overwhelming sense that I really didn’t belong, given that I’m nowhere near being an expert in anything web-related, and clearly had nothing of any interest to say to anyone.”

What the hell is wrong with you? Beats me.

I have found, however, that folks like us tend to beat ourselves up way more than other people would think of doing… we have such high standards that it shocks and dismays us to realize that other people’s standards are much much lower. Does this relax us? No. It makes us work harder. Why? Beats me.

Glad you’re home safely and back with the husband and kid!