I'm quite social when I'm in a group, especially if there is any kind of common ground. But, once I'm on my own again I become a hermit. I always think it is funny that I am INFP on the Myers Briggs personality test. I didn't really see myself as an introvert because I do chat away pretty easily to just about anyone. But, this makes sense. Cause I am quiet too and yet social when there is a reason for it.

10 Myths About Introverts

(Posted by Linsey on Facebook).

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk. This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.

Myth #2 – Introverts are shy. Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.

Myth #3 – Introverts are rude. Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.

Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people. On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.

Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public. Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.

Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone. Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with one person at a time.

Myth #7 – Introverts are weird. Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.

Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds. Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.

Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun. Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.

Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts. Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.

Today is the last day of the A - Z Blogging Challenge. Today, Z is for zeal.

A long time ago I was a volunteer for a web directory called Zeal, they called the people who worked for them zealots. They gave us badges instead of actual pay. It was different from the Open Directory, where I also worked. But, Zeal closed down years ago. Now I work for BOTW, Best of the Web. Sometimes, I wish I was putting in more time there. I do like finding sites to list and tidying up existing listings.

Anyway, zeal is my word for the day of zed because zeal is about having passion and finding something you really enjoy and care about. Zeal is an action word. What are some things you have zeal (persistent, fervent, devotion to a cause) for? Do you have some of these things in your life each day? How can you find time or space to fit in at least a little of something you feel zealous about into each day?

It’s funny how things become vintage. I remember when my Aunt Alice (my Grandmother’s sister) came to visit me in the hospital and gave me my first pair of dangly earrings. They were not expensive made but they were gold and elegant looking and most of all, when I wore them I could feel them swaying just under my earlobes. It meant a lot to me.

Now here we are, about 30 years later, I still have those earrings tucked away in my jewelry box with all the other stuff I don’t wear. (I never became the girly type to wear make up or jewelry). Now those earrings could be called vintage. It makes me feel older than I really am. My Aunt Alice isn’t here any longer. I miss her but I do think about that day now and then, and many others.

Do you have a special pair of earrings or something other jewelry? Is there something in your jewel box that makes you remember someone else, especially a family member? Even though my earrings aren’t especially valuable I would like to have someone in the family to give them to. It’s a shame that none of the younger generation in the family now will have any memory of my Aunt Alice. So the earrings will never be special to them in the same way they are special to me. That’s kind of sad.

Snowflake watching is a real hobby. You need a magnifying glass and warm clothes. Bring your camera too and try to photograph the snowflakes. I think the challenge would be to be out on a day that is cold enough so your own breath isn't melting them as you try to focus in close enough to see their patterns.

Flickr: Julie Falk: The Snowflake Project
Flickr: FWWidall: Snowflakes
Flickr: Mark Cassino: Snowflake Photos
Flickr: Snowflakes, Snow & Winter
Flickr: Awesome Snowflakes
National Geographic: Snowflake Gallery

Snowflake Photography Resources:

Reposted from Popular Mechanics Magazine: Wilson A. Bentley: Photographing Snowflakes
SnowCrystals.com: Snowflake Photography
JPG: Photographing Snowflakes
Pop Photo: How to Photograph Snowflakes
EarthSky: How to Take Photos of Snowflakes
Weather Scapes: Photographing Snow Crystals and Rime

Suite101: The Snowflake Man, Wilson A. Bentley

How nice does it sound to spend a lot of time shopping, bargain hunting, day tripping around town and not spending any of your own money? In fact, you get paid to do it!

I doubt the actual job is as deluxe as it sounds. Working for someone else is still working for someone else, following rules, having a schedule, meeting a budget and so on. But, it does sound like an ideal job for a shopaholic or a hoarder. Lots of window shopping without stacking up your credit card debt or having a home full of clutter.

Your clients would range from business people too busy to get all their errands run, senior citizens or others who can't get around easily, and others who don't want to do the research to decide what the best buy would be. It would be a busy around holidays like Christmas. Still, a career you could keep up all year, taking advantage wedding season and other times when people traditionally buy more.

Would it be a creative job? Possibly. The research (looking for the item at the best price or something harder to find) could be interesting and creative. Helping clients come up with colours and designs that would would give you a creative outlet too. You might get some travel in it, if you need to drive into an urban area to stock up for someone or buy more exclusive items.