I can’t say I’m much of a conversationalist. I’ve always been more of an observer than a talker. An only child growing up, the oldest one of the cousins, I was more often than not the lone child in a roomful of adults. Listening became more comfortable than speaking. And while I’m not a total introvert, going out on a limb and actually starting a conversation isn’t first nature to me. It is what it is, but I honestly don’t like it. Something to work on I suppose.
The conversations I have at home, morning and night, often follow similar themes… How did you sleep? How was your day? What do you want for dinner? I almost know them by rote. Kiddie ones go from why we can’t have milkshakes for dinner to all things Disney to how monsters are not going to fly through the windows at night. The ones at work revolve around money and payments and bills and contracts and reports. And while all these conversations are challenging in their own ways (do I really want to decide what’s for dinner? how long will it take to get through that monsters are not real? where is that contract and why is payment being held up?) sometimes I’m ready to check out. It just seems like too much work; the idea of explaining myself too mentally taxing after 8 hours of sleep or too daunting after 8 hours at work.
Written conversations are a different thing entirely. This is where I think our true selves come out. At least my true self does. My good friend Tamye and I are also co-workers, and while our offices are across the reception area from each other, we have meandering conversations that span our 8+ hours on the job. The wonders of instant messaging. It’s not unusual to hear the clickety clack of our fingers on our keyboards and then hear laughter a few seconds later.
Sometimes I wonder how we’d get through the day without our little chats… our venting, our planning, our creating, our joking. It’s free therapy. It’s fun therapy. It’s needed therapy. It’s where we decide that we need Mexican food for lunch and then go on to bemoan the fact that we’ve yet to use our treadmills like we said we would; it’s where we vent about our crazy families; it’s where we plan work meetings; it’s where we plan weddings and afternoons of canning jam; it’s where we crack ourselves with our wit and sarcasm, and wonder if anyone else thinks we’re as hilarious as we do. It feels like these conversations are the only place where someone gets me because I get her.
On good days our little conversations are where we can be the rock stars we are in our heads. On other days it’s where we can escape the fact that we feel like we are each holding up our own worlds, both at home and at work. If we don’t crack ourselves up just a little bit and let some of the steam go we’ll simply crack under the pressure.
We joke about starting a blog of just our conversations. A private one because I can’t imagine anyone else making sense of them or finding them even mildly entertaining. Truly they border on separate yet interconnecting streams of consciousness. And though we have never “gone public” with them, I’ve kept a few because they make me laugh and they capture a moment in time like nothing else can. They satisfy that slice of life memory keeping I crave.
{31 Things with Ali Edwards…A little out of order, but that’s life!}
Lori says
It’s so great to have a person that you can talk to like that. I have a virtually running conversation with one of my good friends.
Lori recently posted..Weekend Clothes
teri says
On good days our little conversations are where we can be the rock stars we are in our heads.
I love that. And I know what you mean. It seems a shame to let some of the best conversations go to trash bin. I have a MacJournal that is just for me, and whenever I have a conversation or a “brilliant thought” (albeit few!) that I want to save, I keep it there.
teri recently posted..Baby Shower
Sarah says
My daughter is an only child as well, and I am sure she would identify very well with observing vs. conversing. She has lots to say just not comfortable saying it in big groups.
Wendy H says
This made me laugh! You crack me up. I know what you mean about holding up the world. I’m holding up the NW corner of it.
DynnaLou says
Actually, there are only few people who you can talk to like this.. I think it is nice to meet someone and have a great talk with them and share your problems with them..
DynnaLou recently posted..Panic Away Scam
Crystal says
Subliminal messages are visual or audible messages that we don’t pick up with out conscious mind. These can be intentional or unintentional such as seeing a poster but not consciously paying any mind to it. The US banned subliminal messages in 1974 for being unethical.
Crystal recently posted..Les Arcs Skiing Information
Dawn R. Johnson says
I know what you mean that’s good that you have a friend to share your problem . how i wish they can give you a great advice.
Dawn R. Johnson recently posted..does venapro work
marilyn says
that is so great to have a friend like this. you are very lucky:)
yahoo movies says
I’m not sure where you are getting your information, but good topic.
I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more.
Thanks for wonderful info I was looking for this info for my
mission.
yahoo movies recently posted..yahoo movies
anniversary party invitations says
We are a gaggle of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our
community. Your web site offered us with helpful information to work on.
You have done a formidable process and our entire community will be grateful to
you.
anniversary party invitations recently posted..anniversary party invitations
financial investment advisor says
hello!,I really like your writing so a lot! percentage we be in
contact more approximately your article on AOL? I need an expert in this house to resolve my problem.
May be that’s you! Looking forward to peer you.
financial investment advisor recently posted..financial investment advisor