Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Avoiding the herd.

Not to be confused with Anthophobia (a fear of flowers), Anthrophobia is an extreme, pathological form of shyness and timidness. Being a form of social phobia, it may be manifested in fears of blushing, meeting the gaze of others, awkwardness and uneasiness when appearing in society, etc.

I have spells of... let's call it social anxiety. The mere thought of facing a crowd of strange people makes me withdraw into my undemanding little shell. Last week was one of those times and now I suffer a particular kind of ingrained guilt because I disappoint others, as well as myself.

These were the big guns:
 
1. The launch of my dear friend Diane Awerbuck's new collection of short stories, Cabin Fever.


Here in my shell my toes curl and my skin blushes with delight as I read Astronomy Domine.
(The title story strikes tender chords and I lie sleepless, wide-eyed in the dark.)

2. The opening of Gary van Wyk's exhibition of photographs, Private Public.
I went to see it yesterday and was happy to do so without any jostling. I see Gary out and about and I've observed how comfortable people are to be photographed by him. He has this incredible gift - in an unassuming and gentle way - of making people totally at ease. The exhibition left me feeling tranquil and content.

Past (Mirac, Waterval, Gifberg) The Photographer's Gallery
Anthrophobia, in some situations, can result in the person disconnecting themselves from human interaction resulting in the use of electronic contact 
over direct contact.
 Check...

6 comments:

Chris said...

Oh Lil...
I'm sure you're forgiven.
Love you lots.xx

Diane said...

That's not the only kind of spell you have, my dear.

Thank you.

Petro said...

My simpatie. My dierbare, handsome seun kan net ontspan as hy tussen bekendes is. Ek wens dit was anders. Sterkte.

the sourcerer said...

ag dankie Petro, ek kry maar net sulke giere.

Amanda said...

it's more common than you would think. i don't think many normal people relish spending an evening with a crowd of strangers, most of us prefer the comfort of familiarity. some are just able to pretend better than others...

the sourcerer said...

thanks Amanda. good to think about in perspective.