Sociability and reticence: more thoughts from Conflux
April 27, 2013
I was thinking about the different ways of being in groups as I went to Conflux today; how some people plunge into things like, say, the Australian swimming team at the Olympics, whereas some of us are always at the side, looking on. Are we just frightened of being hurt? Of drowning? Or of attempting the social butterfly, and performing the dog-paddle?
I like a chat, but choke on gossip;
threads of conversation become barbed wire
glutted inside fairy floss.
Sometimes I despise my comparative lack of conviviality, despite my ability to make excellent small talk:
Small talk so fine
that the Higgs Bosun
can’t find a trace
And yet, you can look on things and still feel engaged; exchange truly well-meant pleasantries. Sometimes reticence is no bad thing, but another way of saying that the other person matters. I’m having a great time, but more in my own head than anywhere else.
So, just a quieter time than some. Here’s that picture of the hat again; I think the Victorian expression should be noted. All I need is my embroidery, or its modern equivalent, the smartphone.
Off with her head!
PS Cottier 
I PLUNGE BUT WITH GRACE, BEAUTIFULY WRITTEN…
Thank you!
Last year was my first and only Natcon to date. I found that having already made connections with a large group of people that it was hard not getting involved with conversation. But one of my best experiences was listening to Jonathan Strahan and Robin Pen talk for about an hour in the bar, it was like my own personal panel so sometimes just soaking things in is great too.
Perhaps it’s just the full weekend immersion that just gets a little much for me. Next time I must schedule exercise breaks.
I enjoyed it, though.
Make no mistake I was a zombie for about 3 days. Sleeping in a youth hostel (or rather not sleeping)
When you get to my age it is harder to lose that zombie feeling! It is as if you have eaten your own brain, and it didn’t agree with you. (-: