Odd Girl In

Oh, I'm well-educated and have managed to be successful......but yes, it can be almost impossible to figure out how to change an ink cartridge or to do some other mechanical thing. What really hurts is that if I don't do it regularly--I can forget how to do it and have to figure it out all over again. I find this true with many mechanical tasks that require manipulating things or fitting them together perfectly. There seem to be a thousand ways to do it wrong and I usually try most of them.

I really enjoyed this post, Pia. It resonated with me because I've had to work at friendships, too, but for a different reason. Due to chronic illness, I've had to learn a new way of being friends because if I don't catch myself, I'll monopolize the conversation with details of my symptoms, my doctor's appointments, etc. When I first got sick, after each doctor's appointment, I'd write a long, detailed email to close friends and family, describing everything that happened, medical jargon included. I'd get back a supportive sentence or two. It took me years to realize that no one is as interested in the details of my illness as I am!

When I changed my approach and began to talk about non-illness subjects with friends, it turned out to be good for me too. But I have to consciously steer the conversation in that direction because if I don't, I just naturally want to talk about the main feature of my life: being chronically ill.

So, although I know our specific challenges regarding friends are different, when I read your subtitle, how making and keeping friends is an "art and a science...and exhausting," I thought: that's me too!

Toni

Another really good article! I think you're so much more "normal" than you realize.

In fact you're one of the least weird people I know.

But in spite of being normal and not-weird, you're still interesting. Keep it up!

Laughing at yourself is also part of your charm.

Laughing at yourself is also part of your charm.

Hi Pia, it`s so heartening to hear how you are living your life to the full...my son has NVLD, he`s only 10 and he is really struggling socially, very few people will accept him for who he is.

... the fact that sometimes people think we are weird, and sometimes people think it's weird that some people think we are weird! Nathalie's pst got me thinking about that. I've had so many expriences in my life being different than others in learning jobs and keeping friends (I have no trouble getting people to like me.. it's turing that into a friendship that is the problem). That I get used to having to explain those difference to others, and you know what they always say..

"You sound very normal"

I feel normal, rational, nice, funny, all those good things... I wonder where the inconsistancey is. Either way, I like the way I am! :o)

If this is the Anna I think is is and as you sound just like her....You're funny and smart and people who are your friends are very lucky

I've been passing for normal most of my life. I was just at the beach and cursing myself for getting the handles to my backpack beach chair wet and not being able to close the chair.

A little girl was talking about me to her grandparents. I immediately assumed that it was something cruel. Then I realized she had a Tommy Bahama backpack beach chair and said something stupid about great taste. She beamed. I have to teach myself this lesson every day--it's OK to be spatially whatever and people would rather be friendly than not

We're different than most people. Maybe that's a good thing