introverts and extroverts

I love email discussions. Isn't it fun when you find an email buddy who will send that cyber tennis ball back across the net to you, laden with information and humor? I love people who savor a good long email exchange.

We discussed extroverts and introverts. My friend said that her mother described her as an extrovert, and it surprised my friend because she thinks of herself as an introvert. I told her that I finally figured out a few years ago that introvert/extrovert describes one's nature, not one's exterior actions, you know? Over time, I've learned to deal quite well with my coworkers and friends, but my preference is alone time, quiet time.

I'm kind of strange in that I like to ba alone in a crowd. If I'm writing fiction, I like to take my notebook to a shopping mall or a park, and write while surrounded by people who are paying absolutely no attention to me. If I'm in the office, I can edit my documents more effectively if nearby co-workers are conversing and I can eavesdrop.

I find that this quiets the restless part of me who wants to get up and run around or seek out stimulation. Working is most difficult for me in an otherwise-empty room. I suck at working from home, unless I have the TV on, or perhaps some music.