Now THIS would be an interesting group

Those who know me will say that I talk a lot.  I've been told my whole life that my mouth "waddles like a duck's rear end (thanks, Dad).  But most of the time, I think it's a good thing.  And while my childhood report cards may have said things like "talks too much," at least they didn't say what my father so proudly tells us his own report card said: "Talks too much and annoys others."  I'm sure I've annoyed some people with my talking (friends, please tell me if I do!), but most of my worst yammering is either because I'm nervous and trying to fill uncomfortable silences or because I want to get to know you.  Not filling every silence is something that I, as a grown-up 40 year old woman, am trying to work on.  I'm getting better at it and even liking the silence sometimes. I'll bet others are enjoying it too.

For the most part, I think people find me easy to talk to because I talk.  I open myself up, I make fun of myself, and I try very hard to put people at ease.  I do not (at least I don't think I do--friends, tell me if I do PLEASE) ramble on and on about myself.  While I will disclose the latest stupid thing I've done or admit that I sometimes feel/do/act the same way you do at your very worst, I do not think I am so very interesting as to talk incessantly about what makes me ME.   I am very self-conscious about making sure I don't.  

Because, people, I am also a good listener.

Now, lest you think all this blather is proving I am full of crap and DO talk about myself, I'm coming to my point.

I am in a group processes seminar in school, which is basically about group dynamics (good! Interesting!) and also teaches us how to have group therapy (dumb!  not necessary for my major!).  I love the professor, in all his counselor-ly ways.  Love him.  But there are some who are in the class who think a) they are beyond the class and know everything and b) are so wrapped up in what They are All About that they can't even see when they are being, ahem, a-holes.

I'm not going to disclose anything because I am a Keeper of Secrets, but I am going to vent that I, a talker, had to tell someone else in my small group that he was Talking Too Much and not letting anyone in.  He turned it around and said it was because our personalities clash because we are Too Similar.  WHAT?  I had to explain the difference between Talking A lot (small amounts, in many instances) and Talking Too Much (9 minutes for an answer to a question.  THAT, my friends, is a soliloqy). 

A show of hands from those who think I should make this very pie for next week's group?

Now,  I thank you for listening. I'm going to do what that pie says and see what happens next week.