A Social Dilemma

I’m not an entirely social person. In fact, the few companions I’ve managed to procure in life will often hear me lamenting my general lack of sociality. And, really, it only seems right that a fellow should have more than 3 phone numbers saved in his cell phone (granted, I just learned how to do this a few days ago). Fortunately, I was recently presented with both a social opportunity and also (as usually comes with opportunity) a social dilemma.

You see, since I’m noticeably lacking in acquaintances around the college campus, I generally kill my 15-30 minutes between classes by reading books. Yes, that’s right, not magazines, not textbooks, but books. Books with stories even. Yes, I know, quite rebellious.

Now, a few days ago, whilst I was lounging around reading in the Atkinson Hall lobby, I was approached by a classmate. A fellow who shares in being educated on the subject of Business Finance, as it were. So, in order to display both general welcome and an eagerness for friendship, I placed my book aside when he approached and allowed a conversation to be sparked.

Unfortunately, though a conversation was quite easily sparked, my interest was not. Truthfully, the fellow was outright boring. Which, of course, wouldn’t be so bad, only I had to set my book aside while being enveloped by this boredom. So, the time that would have been spent with Ray Bradbury was instead spent listening to the fascinating tale of how a college bloke (whose name I can’t be bothered to remember) once took a test drunk. It was truly a disturbing experience.

And now I am left to ponder. For quite a while I’ve been lamenting my lack of sociality. This experience has suggested it may well be a blessing. Surely if I surrounded myself with a large circle of buddies I’d hardly ever have a spare moment for enjoying literature without being pestered with dull collegiate anecdotes.

Thus, the dilemma I’m faced with. I must make a choice. On one shoulder rests a social life, on the other rests literacy. It is apparent that both will not be possible. So, as always, I look to you diary readers for words of wisdom. I’m certain I’ll be greeted with many below.

<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-languag

e: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA”>Although I do ask that you leave them before the entire site shuts down . . .

You could take the middle road. Find a few friends that do not bore you, and share your interest in books. They are out there, they are just hard to find because like you, they are busy reading, but would still like to have a bit of a social life too. 🙂 Hope it helps.

heatherette

February 3, 2006

Strangers, or rather newcomers always seem to take you so seriously. I find it quite amusing. Just think, if youd been busy flouncing around with other peers youd never have meet that lovely girl of yours. Not to mention you’d not have time for us fellow diarists. So I suppose I’m selfish in saying that you ought to choose literacy. We both know you already have.

Miss Britt

See, you’d rather not associate with boring people as well. Understand why I would rather not date one?

Learning_To_Breathe

Start a book club, or find one on campus. That would allow you to meet people who share your interest in literature, and who may be faced with the same dilemna.

Yoshiboy

February 4, 2006

i find alot of social interaction relatively boring :/ or at least i must do compared to some of my friends because some of them LIVE for social interaction.

Never put down a book for a conversation with a college student. ; )

michael.

February 5, 2006

I read on the bus, sometimes people look at me with narrowed eyes, as if male nurses who read are weird or something.

ryn: Funny that. Lots of people who have only read one book in their lives seem to think I bear a striking resemblence to overeducated sheltered rich American virgins from loving genius families.

october rain

Take the books. People are overrated. And trust me, I have even less friends that you. ^_^

February 7, 2006

My parents are paying “up to” $3000 a semester…so if it’s under that, I don’t get the money back. So I really don’t care how much it is if it’s under $3000.

Valkyrie_11

February 8, 2006

Ha,Ha,a good book is a lot better than a bad friend.Saw your note on Brief as Fireflies re death.It was very perceptive.Re the books:I know someone with the same problem,she is so broad spectrum in her interests that people can only relate to a small segment of her personality at a time which means a lot of nice but rotated friends & 2 good friends but 0 significant other so far.It takes time.

February 9, 2006

oh psh!!! I get back on AIM!

That’s supposed to be I can’t*

gtg835q

books? well, that is odd. Reading is so uncool (ignore any implied bitterness) I only I have a few friends, but I find it suits me, I’m close with all 3 of them and only lament the small number when all of them are busy when I want to go out. I find casual acquaintences generally unsatisfying. but thats just me. random-

February 11, 2006

Happy Birthday!