I've recently signed up for an account on a chat forum where everyone comments on the MSNBC weekday lineup although I've been a lurker for a long time (as in years). And I realized that not only have I lost the normal social ability to meet people, the awkwardness extends to the internet. I'm hesitant between sharing too much and not sharing enough, tend to be pedantic, and rather self-conscious.

How pathetic is that? I'm intimidated by the internet. I'll keep at it for at least a month since I got an anonymous sponsorship, but am seriously debating renewing it myself. It's only $5 a month, so it might be worth it when I get back from the trip, but it's an illuminating window into how I fear what most people see as normal like a simple chat forum.

Then again, maybe practice makes perfect.