The problem/interesting thing about actually emerging from my cave (speaking here of my new-found social butterflyness) and talking to people, is that I've become subjected to evaluative comments about myself and my insecurities. Two from this week:

* A few days ago, an acquaintance told me that I looked like a "Soccer Thug."
(In all fairness, I had mentioned earlier that her hat made her look like a turtle.)

* Last night, a former attorney-turned-PhD student told me that I could date lots of women if I'd just get off my butt and try asking them out. (I must have been drunkenly complaining about my latest dry spell, though I don't remember doing so.)


Food for thought. I don't think I can change the soccer thug thing (unless maybe I grow back the beard that scares Kent Johnson), but perhaps I can try dating again.

Or maybe not. How will this affect the poems? My poems? I haven't written a good poem since I've had a 20-sided die next to my computer. Perhaps it's cursed.