Conference quark::human_relations-v1

338.0. "I am not a machine" by ECLAIR::GOODWIN (Klingons on the Starboard bow) Fri Jul 03 1987 09:29

    I've become practised in technical things but unskilled at simple day
    to day human contact. My preference has always been to explore things
    that interest me (namely, computers) to the near exclusion of all
    else.
    
    This was so through school, university and beyond. Things have begun
    to change very slowly after a while. There is a limit to now much
    time I can spend exploring hobbies before they become stale and
    boring. Then I look up around me and think, where have I been all
    those years? What have I achieved? Am I happy?
    
    I always feel that there is an element missing. Things are
    changing...I'm leaving home soon. I suppose I should have done it
    sooner, but I was in no hurry. The practical side of me saw no sense
    in leaving when I worked so close to my parent's house. That was
    then. I now travel 80 miles a day to get to work. My new home is
    about 3 miles from work. I expect at last I will get a chance to 'be
    myself' rather than simply a son.
    
    I do have a fairly negative view of myself. This came out in a course
    I was at first fairly reluctant to attend. It's called Interpersonal
    Relationships in Organisations. I spent a week with 12 other people
    giving and accepting feedback. What I liked about another person and
    what they thought of me. It IS hard work! I did enjoy myself, and
    found a few surprises (not to mention friends!).
    
    I can't say anything has drastically altered. Just a slight shift of
    focus, a kind of relaxing. I'm looking forward to moving, to finding
    new relationships and friends.
    
    Oddly enough, even though I'm fairly technical, the other side of me
    has been creeping to the surface. I write poetry. They have been
    heavily focused on Christianity, simply because of my contact with an
    extreme religious group (whose views I now reject). Some of the newer
    ones are 'mood'-like. Expressive of feelings.
    
    I took a course on cartooning, but I could never find a subject to
    home in on. I'm also trying to write some fiction, but it's hard
    work!
    
    Pete.

    What the world needs is a good cartoon strip on computer
    freaks. 

>    What the world needs is a good cartoon strip on computer
>    freaks. 

    The action might be hard to make visual...  rather like the proposed
    movie of "Soul of a New Machine" (whatever happened to that?). 
    
    Still, sounds like Peter's starting to get into a few creative areas
    (.0)... these things take time.   I had a go at comic-strip
    script-writing once, during time off sick from an earlier
    (non-computing) job - got some early scripts accepted (and paid
    for) but couldn't keep the momentum when I got back into my regular
    work routine.   But fun to try. 
    

    Good for you, Pete!
    
    Sounds like you're making some changes (which always feels like
    "waking up" to me) in your life, and that's great.  What you said
    about feeling relaxed about the changes is good.  I and some people
    I know took a similar seminar, and came back feeling almost compelled
    to make changes in our lives.  Doing it slowly;  especially if you
    have been immersed in one area for years, is smarter.  It sounds
    like you have a creative side that is making itself known.  Writing
    and cartooning are rewarding and very creative--not to mention hard
    work (no kidding).
    
    When you reach out to change, people contact gets easier.  It seems
    like you want new things in your life, and so are getting them.
    Remember, it takes courage to change.  If you fall on your face
    at some things first, so what?  All of us have done it at one time
    or other.  Big deal--couragous people (like you) keep on trying.
    
    Best of luck to you,
    
    Jane