Around the world in 367 days

I've been told that travelling for a year will change me and given the time of year, new year's resolutions and all that, I thought I should list some personal insights into myself to try and help push me in the right direction. It's by no means an exhaustive list and not necessarily things I want to change about myself but here goes:

Introvert

For a start I don't want to change this. There's no such thing as an introvert or extrovert - it's a scale and everyone fits somewhere along that line; my attributes definitely put me nearer the introvert end. However, given that I am publishing my inner thoughts to six billion, more or less, potential readers (Source: Katie Melua, Sony Records Statistics Department) I have to admit I may have a little extrovert in me somewhere. When I was younger I wanted to change this - society seems to think that being extrovert is better. It's not, we need a range of people and I'm happy with my place wavering nearer the introvert end.

Confrontation

I've never been too good at confrontation. I don't want to actively seek it but I would like to improve my dealings in this area and I should get plenty of opportunities over the year. I've had a couple of pretty decent arguments in Vietnam that I would not have done as well in had I been in the UK so perhaps I'm getting better already.

Manipulation

I tend to be easily manipulated. I don't think it's that I'm easily led but comes more from a deep seated need to try and keep everyone happy. I'll generally prefer that someone else is happy rather than me but when three parties are involved it sometimes means that you might get pulled in opposing directions. I think I need to be more forceful in terms of what I want but not to the point of arrogance.

Inanimate Objects

I would regard myself as fairly well mannered but I definitely have a short fuse. More often than not the recipient of the explosive at the end of said fuse will be an inanimate object and subject to a torrent of obsenities. My worry is that people and inanimate objects often mix - should I get a decidedly flat looking burger on a bad day my Michael Douglas impression might get a little close to the mark. (This keyboard has a sticky shift key and I have made it clear in no uncertain terms exactly what I think of it, the piece of ****!)

Sense of humour

Is it dry? Is it wicked? Is it cryptic? Is it even funny?? Debs often proof reads my posts and gives very dissaproving looks for my 'jokes'. As far as I'm concerned if it makes me chuckle, and the smallest things do, then it stays in. Verdict - no change!

Blogging Skills

I've been told my blog looks like it was written by a twelve year old. Others have compared me to the likes of Tolstoy, Flaubert, Shakespeare and Rowling! Yet others have said it's the first thing they read in the morning and the last thing they read at night! For my part I hope my literary prowess improves over the year with insightful discussion inducing (that's you guy's) topics filling these pages.

Of course, if there is anything you think worthy of note please feel free to comment - though do bare in mind the one I missed off - I'm decidedly over sensitive!!!

Posted by Alexander on Friday, 4 January 2008 at 12:00 | Permalink