The first time I typed “Analisa” into Microsoft Word, that familiar red squiggly line popped up underneath. “Did you mean ‘analysis?’” the program asked. I think it was some kind of prophecy. I grew up to become an incredibly analytical young woman.
I like to analyze things. Solve puzzles. Find patterns. I like numbers; using statistics to make comparisons and look for trends. I like books riddled with symbolism and thematic patterning. But people are my favorite. I love analyzing people’s behavior and actions to get at what they’re thinking, or the way they think, or who they are.
Sometimes this is a blessing. My roommate has told me many times that I’m a good listener and I give good advice. I’m pragmatic, reasoned, reflective, and careful. But it’s also a curse. I tend to be a little guarded when it comes to meeting new people. I’m busy keying into the way they act and their behavior, figuring out who they are. And since I know how much weight my actions, my body language, words, and tone each carry, I’m careful about what I’m conveying and slow to get to know. And for that reason, things can get a little awkward. Meeting new people, interviews, things of the like – they all force me outside of my comfort zone of listening, reading, and watching others until I know how to respond.
So why write a blog? Partially because I’ve learned a lot from observing other people. Also, because it forces me to start talking about myself. And frankly, partially because some of the resulting awkward moments in my life are just too funny not to share.
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