Category Archives: Personal

First, the weather is so temperate, even slight fluctuations are unusual. I now complain of being “cold” if it dips below 60 degrees.

Second, while the lack of humidity makes for quite comfortable summers, in the winter it is incredibly dry, and my skin is suffering. I am peeling on my face.

On that note: any suggestions for a masculine moisturizer I could use to prevent my face from peeling off like that scene in American Pyscho?

I don’t know how this happens, but every time I come to California, the earthquake capital of the world, Virginia has an earthquake. When I did my internship here in 2009, Roanoke got hit by one. This year when I make a permanent move, a doozy hits Virginia and is felt all the way up to NYC. When do I get my earthquake??*

*I will regret this sentiment as soon as I am in an earthquake.

Over the last year I have lived in 6 different places. If you count week long stays in hotels, its 8.

For my three years in Richmond while I attended law school, I lived in the same apartment complex. It was in the West End, in the more commercial, suburban part of town. It was nice, quiet and dreadfully boring.

After I graduated, I moved to Charlottesville to study for Bar. I was lucky enough to have a friend who knew of a law student there who was leaving and needed to sublet. I stayed there for about 2 months.

I then flew to CA and took the Bar exam in San Francisco. I spent a work week there, getting in a day early to get a lay of the land and get one last day of prep in.

After I took the Bar exam, I flew back to VA. Completely spent, I took a week to just enjoy Charlottesville. After that I packed up and moved home with my Mom. I had no job prospects and for those of you aware of my mother’s health situation, it was ultimately a good thing.

Finally I found an employment opportunity in Richmond, VA. I have amazing friends, and one was nice enough to let me move in with her on almost a day’s notice.  So, I returned to Richmond. This time in a cooler, younger, more lively area. Eventually she started dating someone seriously, and it was time for me to move along.

Another one of my friends has just bought a place and was looking for someone to rent the spare room. I ended up staying there for a few months.

While in Richmond, I found out I failed the bar exam. I spent most of my nights and weekends studying to take the exam again. While in Richmond, I flew to San Diego to take Bar. Again. I spent a week in a hotel and flew back to VA.

Luckily I passed. Now, I’ve gotten an opportunity to work out in California in my industry of choice. So, I packed up my car and moved out to Los Angeles.

I have discovered that when it comes time to move, you realize how little you actually need. Each time I moved I ended up abandoning more and more. Many times it was furniture. Other times electronics like televisions or xboxs. Sometimes it was even things like important documents – try selling a car without the title!

However, by and large you don’t need that much stuff. When I arrived in Los Angeles, I did buy some new furniture. I am also looking to buy a new TV. The process of collecting begins anew. Do I need most of this stuff? No, but it makes life comfortable. And, now that I’m settled (I hope) I can decide on things that I won’t have to figure out how to lug around.

The really important factor throughout all this was people. Friends who let me stay with them on a verbal agreement. Family who supported me after I stumbled in my plans. People who knew someone, who might be looking to sublet a place, maybe. That’s what matters.

Great list of 10 “myths” about introverts and explanations. I cannot tell you how much I see myself in these descriptions. If you’ve ever had an odd interaction with me or gotten frustrated that I wouldn’t go out, this would probably explain why. I wish everyone I interact with could read this.

Top ten myths about introverts

Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.

Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.

Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.

Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.

Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.

Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.

Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.

Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.

Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.

Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.