(no subject)
December 3rd, 2004 11:15 pmI've recognised the importance of companionship and general social contact for a long time. The importance of normal daily interaction and conversation to my moods (most people's moods) really became apparent when I was about sixteen. before that I had my loner streak - now I still sometimes have the impulse, but I know that no matter what my first impulse, I will probably feel better if I choose the more social route, even if it is initially more uncomfortable. People in isolation spiral into themselves, and it's a twisted path.
It is only in the last year or two that I've come to realise the value in actual physical human contact. Oh, I always intellectually realised it as it applied to, say, small children and infants. I hate it when parents carry little bubba junior in the plastic baby-bucket. Hug your widget, dammit! But it was only more recently that I recognised the importance of physical contact as it applies to people in general and me in particular. "Have you had a hug today?" just sounds sooo doofy - but it really does make a great deal of mood difference. I suppose I've noticed it more recently - I've been comparatively clingy (for me, and physically rather than psychologically) - I think Kat and
ribbitkisser can attest to that. We are social creatures and being touched (not THAT way, stop snickering) improves our mood.
So imagine contra dancing, with our wonderfully eclectic mix (any age or body type accepted here). We're lining up for the next dance, way at the end of the room by the big fan. It's right after the break, and I sat the last one out, so instead of breaking a sweat I'm standing in front of the fan and freezing. Virginia (WWU slide librarian, contra organiser, all-round sweetheart) comes by, noticing my shivering and zombie fingers, and exclaims "This girl needs a hug!" and proceeds to put that into effect. In a second Paul (partner for that dance, also a fiddler) is on the other side, so we're a Paul-Sarah-Virginia sandwhich...until Virginia yells 'Sarah Sandwich!' at which point Tom (I think it's Tom...the guy with the santa hat and the black skirt) and the cute little old British-Canadian lady pile in too.
Okay, so I was quickly in dire need of oxygen, but talk about feelin' loved. :) And then there was dancing, so there was also feeling dizzy - I danced some in my stocking-feet, which meant having to deal with the whole oddly-sized-legs thing more, but gave me excellent spin on the floor (which is the very reason I don't usually do it...if you want to know, ask me for the story about stocking feet and fiddle tunes contra). Also, we all know my favorite move is a 'gypsy', and tonight I heard it described as the "Grand Leer." Figures.
It is only in the last year or two that I've come to realise the value in actual physical human contact. Oh, I always intellectually realised it as it applied to, say, small children and infants. I hate it when parents carry little bubba junior in the plastic baby-bucket. Hug your widget, dammit! But it was only more recently that I recognised the importance of physical contact as it applies to people in general and me in particular. "Have you had a hug today?" just sounds sooo doofy - but it really does make a great deal of mood difference. I suppose I've noticed it more recently - I've been comparatively clingy (for me, and physically rather than psychologically) - I think Kat and
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
So imagine contra dancing, with our wonderfully eclectic mix (any age or body type accepted here). We're lining up for the next dance, way at the end of the room by the big fan. It's right after the break, and I sat the last one out, so instead of breaking a sweat I'm standing in front of the fan and freezing. Virginia (WWU slide librarian, contra organiser, all-round sweetheart) comes by, noticing my shivering and zombie fingers, and exclaims "This girl needs a hug!" and proceeds to put that into effect. In a second Paul (partner for that dance, also a fiddler) is on the other side, so we're a Paul-Sarah-Virginia sandwhich...until Virginia yells 'Sarah Sandwich!' at which point Tom (I think it's Tom...the guy with the santa hat and the black skirt) and the cute little old British-Canadian lady pile in too.
Okay, so I was quickly in dire need of oxygen, but talk about feelin' loved. :) And then there was dancing, so there was also feeling dizzy - I danced some in my stocking-feet, which meant having to deal with the whole oddly-sized-legs thing more, but gave me excellent spin on the floor (which is the very reason I don't usually do it...if you want to know, ask me for the story about stocking feet and fiddle tunes contra). Also, we all know my favorite move is a 'gypsy', and tonight I heard it described as the "Grand Leer." Figures.