Tell em all that you're 50, and then they'll be begging for your secret youth potion.

I have started obsessing over the fact that i just turned 29 and am fast approaching the dreaded 30. I was SHOCKED the other day when I saw my name in the paper with that gawd awful ,29, right after it. Listing peoples ages after their name in stories about them should be illegal!

There's nothing wrong with being a hermit! I have always needed my alone time desperately. I grew up in a teeny-tiny hamlet (not even big enough to call a town) in upstate NY (population: just over 400!) and spent most summers alone with my little brother and loved reading, writing and doing art projects. After my kids got older and didn't need me with them 24 hours a day I am able to go back to enjoying my alone time. Now that my husband works 2 jobs and my kids go back to school a week from tomorrow I will have a LOT of alone time. I hope it won't be TOO MUCH alone time. Sigh.

I'm soooo gald that you had a great time yesterday!! Could you BE any cuter??? I think not!!

I mean GLAD, not gald! ;)

How is Faith feeling after her accident last week??

Faith is doing better. She is sore but apparently talking in the third person, so she must be doing fairly well...

Hi Faith!
Besides the talking in third-person stuff (head injury? ;) ) have you started to heal a bit?? I can't imagine how scary it must have been for you. You did a great job of not creating an even bigger accident that could have hurt a lot of people.

Sorry, Laurie. Back to your regularly scheduled blog comments!!

You are so right! I don't have to go to bars and clubs and go out all the time, just because I am 30 and single. Most of the time, I like reading, and knitting, and doing whatever by myself. It does make me appreciate the time I spend with my friends more, because then I am happier and more fun to be around when I have spent time doing just what I want to do and not participating in someone else's version of the way my life should be.
See, it's nice to be 30 - I spent way too much of my 20s (and maybe even teens) doing the other thing.
My goal is to make my life the best it can be as I see it - not to live up to someone else's standards and expectations.
yay! thanks for posting this!

Social-butterfly-ism is over rated!

In many ways, I'm much like you in that I like to be alone. It's a tough balance, because too much alone time can be depressing. Having family around at the hospital stressed me out so much I almost couldn't take it.

As for the age thing, I love to tell people I'm 36, since the reaction is usually complete and clearly honest surprise - meaning they think I'm younger. It's a self-esteem booster!

I would go nuts if my social schedule was packed with events and places to go. I far prefer my alone time where I don't have to think of something to say. The birthday party looks like great fun. Too bad there weren't any hot guys to jump on a bike and ride off into the sunset with though.

Life would be good if we could all be Bob.

Bob's looking pretty svelte.

Pam! Don't you think Bob is looking trim! Thank you for saying so :) Since we no longer have to be vigilant with mounds of canned food now that only cats who have a full set of teeth are present, everyone seems to be slimming down. I still give them canned food it's just a lot less than... before.

Allison, hi :) Miss you!!!!!

Liz, Faith is talking in the third person. heh.

Crystal, send me a copy of the newsclipping!

I was reading this article recently about "strengthening marriage" -- you know how politicians go on and on about how if we feed marriage some Magic Strengthening Elixir all of a sudden families will stay together and everyone will want to be married and they won't have illegitimate children any more plus they'll have a great work ethic and all. This article said that we were putting too much stress on marriage and expecting too much of it, where in the old days there was a whole extended family and each family was also a small business, plus there was church, so there was this whole network holding everyone together, and now it's just you and him and no wonder marriage just wants to go take a nap. We can each basically stay home full time if we want, or travel only with strangers each in our own little self-contained bubble -- so what we need to do is somehow find that network again.

At which, hermit tendencies notwithstanding, you seem to be doing a fine job.

(If anyone, including you, ever accuses you of random babbling, just go back and read my comments. You'll feel better real soon.)

(I heart Bob.)

Gatherings and communication with people is good; I just have to GET there...then I'm fairly OK. Sometimes I pretend people like me to get myself over myself (oh gee, still all about meee). LOL

I now tell the truth about my age; at 57 there really isn't too much of a fudge-factor to create a more 'acceptable' sounding number. So far I'm getting the response I used to say, "gee, I hope I look like you when I'm 57'. This life journey is trippy...never boring if I'm open to the flow.

Yay for the hermits.

You know, if I was walking (driving, riding) by the neighborhood, and saw that gaggle of bikes, I would think I've died and gone to heaven. Better than fire engines, any day!!!

And also? Once you get past 40, it becomes easier to admit your age (lots o' psycho/philosophical reasons for that!)

Yup, Hermits Unite! Okay, well that would be interesting to see.....

Looks like a great bbq. Glad you got to enjoy it.

I completely relate to loving to be alone. I love to socialize, but if I don't get enough alone time, it makes me go batshit. Some people feel uncomfortable being alone and I truly feel sorry for them.

Dear Abby suggests that when people ask such perfectly nosey questions (such as "how old are you?") you ask why they want to know. Just the shock value of being called to account for their chutzpah will shut them up. It works - I've done it :)

Leslie, I am SO going to use that tactic. But I think I'll save it for when people ask me if I am planning to ever have children/remarry.

THANK YOU!

I don't get nearly enough alone time. It's essential! And I know exactly what you mean about always thinking people don't see you--I am the same. I'm always surprised when people remember me, or when friends want to hang with me even if my husband can't make it (I tend to think of a lot of them as "his" friends still because they were friends when we first started dating ... 10 years ago). It's kind of pathetic, but I don't think it's going to change at my age. I'm 45. No lie. :)

If I can add to the self-helpyness for a moment, some people keep packed schedules so they don't ever have time to confront themselves. ;) I don't know what I would do without my alone time!

A few years ago I learned this definition of introvert vs. extrovert: introverts need time alone to recharge because being with people drains them of energy; extroverts need to be with people because that's how they recharge and get energy, being alone drains them.

You sound like you're an introvert and you need your time alone. It isn't really about being a hermit, and you certainly don't seem like one. It's about getting enough energy together to be charming and witty for the next excursion into the social realm, which I'm also sure you are.

Auntie, I lie about my age, too. However, I go up rather than down. I look pretty good for my age, 37. However, I look fabulous for 47 or more.

Alone is good. I think a lot of people are afraid to be alone, and that might explain why some people always have to have something going on. Ya know?

Yes, I'm an only child. How did you guess? :p

It's taken me a long time (in therapy) to realize I don't have to be someone else's idea of a social butterfly. I'm very social with my cats! And I pick and choose carefully the human social interaction. I'm even learning how to not feel guilty about it, and the people who really care about me just accept me as I am.

(pokes Bob in the belly)

Sounds like a fun time. Dang cute guys and they were gay. Why does that seem to happen????

You are totally not a hermit. That has a sort of negative feeling to it. Let's put a positive spin on it. You're an individualist. There, doesn't that sound better?

Me, I'm just anti-social.

Honey, you don't look a day over 29! I am coming to grips (rapidly) with turning 50 on wednesday. My sweet co-worker told me today that I was hotter than Madonna (i.e. I don't have those crazy muscular arms!) She made me laugh and flattered me a bit at the same time. My 20's sucked, my 30s were all about the therapy, my 40's were liberating and my 50's, well I am going to LIVE!

...and learn to stretch like Bob :)

Please talk to my mother about the hermit thing. All summer I keep hearing, "Aren't you going to head out?" Why? I can apply for jobs online. There's cable TV and I have plenty of unread books around. And there's that knitting I've been putting off. So yeah, I've been in hermit mode lately. And it's pretty good.

Leslie, that's a great response. Another good one, "I can't believe you just said that to me." That works when the inappropriate statement isn't a question. So far I haven't worked up the nerve to use it, but then again, haven't had the perfect in-your-face-stupid-comment said to me.

I usually remember people better than they remember me - sigh. So like you- I never expect people to remember me and keep introducing myself and sometimes it's embarassing. I too like being alone. SOmeone told me: if you feel cheated when you have to go be with people, you must not have had enough "me" time. My first thought was "I could never have enough 'me' time." And then I thought some more and I think she was right. Eventually I want to get out and visit. I feel blessed that I enjoy both.

You know what's weird? (Yes...me. But other than that.) I don't have any trouble with my age. Someone asks, and I say, "I'm 35." Okay, no sweat.

It's the actual passage of time I have trouble with. I'll be telling a story, and I'm like, "A few years ago, Kathy and I were blah blah blah" and I'll suddenly realize the story I'm telling happened in 1989, and that was EIGHTEEN YEARS AGO. Holy crap! 18 years?! How? Why? Whuh? Oh, yeah ...I'm 35. And that really doesn't bother me, except that it means I was a teenager two whole decades ago. It's the amount of time that has passed that totally weirds me out.

And people generally know how old I am anyway, because I still say "coolbeans." :)

The past couple of years I have needed more alone time. Sometimes I come home and just don't feel like talking to anyone. Though it's funny because as much as I like being alone I will get lonely at the same time or maybe it's just I feel like should be more social like everyone else. When I go out to bars with my friends I always want to leave after about 2 hours, but always get begged to stay and am usually pretty miserable by the time I get to go.

AMEN! You are invited to babble at my house anytime, my door is always open.

I used to have this idea that when I grew up I would be doing social things all the time. That's what grownups did. From never-had-a-date-in-highschool I was going to become a social butterfly and go out and party all the time. Ummm, didn't happen, but I am perfectly fine with my only-a-little-social life. Works for me. There's a lot of us; we just don't make the society headlines. And I'm 54. I can say that out loud too when other people are in the room. It's scary, but it doesn't bother me.

Hi Laurie, just recently enjoyed our neighborhood block party. Amazing how many people are right there under your radar and you don't know anything about them, their lives, foods they eat, etc. We have a very small block in a T-shaped street situation. All brought a dish or two and set up our tables, chairs on our blocked off street. When the police showed up to check our permit they stayed awhile to chat. We are a very lucky group - some retired, some newlywed and pregnant, some lawyers, doctors, printers, plumbers, carpenters, from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. A marvelous slice of the human pie. Most chatted and ate our shared food 'til dark, and went home feeling satisfied and smiley. I truly wish that the world could find a way to have a virtual "block-party".

I just found your blog and am enjoying getting to know you. I feel like I found a new friend. (I'm reading your archives, I'm up to August 2005.) I also have the anti-social hermit gene, and this weekend it was kicking in big time and I had to take my kids to John's Incredible Pizza, which if you don't know is like Chuck E. Cheese on steriods. It was pure torture, I tell you!

I am not a social butterfly either-the better to observe and make fun of later on!
coincidentally, that's when I'll be getting my boobs done too!

Bob! ~smooch~

Me, too. I used to think there was something wrong with me because I do love my alone time. But I've since realized that that's just me and there's nothing wrong with it. I have my fun times with friends and family but then I also love my solitude.

Bikers and bbq! What fun!

It has been a little strange doing things with my 46 year old self now that the boys are leaving me alone more and more but I'm getting used to it.

Everybody else does it why shouldn't I?

I'm like you. Oh, well!

My favorite Sally Forth cartoon shows the cat asleep on the carpet while Sally gets ready for work. The caption: Which is the most evolved life form, the one trudging off in the rain to a stress-filled job or the one spending the day on a warm spot on the carpet until someone serves him dinner?

I know what you mean about being alone a lot. I always felt that alone time was necessary and I still do. It took almost a year after my divorce to really enjoy being by myself and I took to it with gusto.

I feel the same way about my cats. I want to come back as one of them. They've got it made.

I think it was Linus from 'Peanuts' who said, "I love humanity. It's PEOPLE I can't stand."

I always identified with that statement.
.

That "hermit" thing...have you ever heard of the real difference between extroverts and introverts? It's not how much noise you make in a social situation, but how you recharge--do you recharge WITH people, or do you need time away from them in order to be balanced (sane?) enough to enjoy them when you ARE with them? (In other words, you can be a quiet extrovert, or an outgoing, sociable introvert--who needs her "away" time in order to stay healthy inside).

It's totally normal to be either one of these, and possible to have a rich social life that fits you, as long as you respect how you're wired and cherish yourself...plus don't take it too far either way--both complete hermits and total social butterflies are missing out.

You're good, Girl, and from the comments, in good company!! =)

Ooops, MrsHamilton already had this covered--see, you ARE in good company!! =)

And with the 'none of your business' questions: I've always been tempted to fake complete shock, and say something like, "Married?!? Oh my God, I completely forgot about that!! Wait here, I'll be right back..." and then rush off...

Wow. Laurie, thanks for describing something I struggle with too. I LOVE my alone time, but part of me always feels like I "should" have more friends, more time doing stuff out of the house, etc, etc. I've been giving myself a hard time about this lately, so thanks for the perspective.

Is it okay for me to stop worrying about being alone so much too? Thank you, Laurie, for letting me know that I'm not the only one in the world who prefers quiet and aloneness (not loneliness)to constant events.

By the way, I just adopted two cats! And they came with free fleas! (That's okay, they're worth it. The cats, I mean.)

I've always used the "why do you ask" retort when someone asks my age. It's when they say "because you don't look old enough to have a son that age or a grandson that age" after that answer, I just skirt the issue by blubbering about how adorable my family is.

And God forbid if the topic turns to cats. I can hang with the best of them.

And it's because of my cats that I love being alone. In the midst of a crowd or even out and about, I daydream about walking through the front door and have 4 tumbleweeds falling over each other down the steps to see me and tell my how much they miss me and love me. We love hanging out watching old Nick@Nite shows (they love the Cosby Show) or something on OxyGen (they also love "snapped"). And when it's time for bed, they're all about the snuggle, much to the chagrin of my hubby. Luckily, he loves them as much as I.
Yep................I'm well on my way to becoming the "crazy lady with the cats" on my street. Hey! Someone has to do it.

Hooray for being alone, at peace, and loving it! Although I do have 3 dogs. I am a dog person, not a cat person. Do I still qualify to read your blog?
Which I love by the way. You inspired me to declutter and rearrange my living room, Laurie! It looks AWESOME! And I did the "deep cleaning" too where you get out ALL the attachments for the vacuum.

It always cracks me up to hear you talk about not being a social butterfly. You come across as being so outgoing. Perhaps it's a southern thang. I can somewhat (I personally have never been accused of being shy) understand that, being from GA and AL. We're trained to be friendly and outgoing, saying hello to everyone and smiling and waving at people whether we know them or not and of course, bringing them casseroles when their loved ones die! I guess we're trained to hide the nervous butterflies behind the southern smiles.

Um, what's up with the left leg of Michael's pants?? And can I borrow Faith's grill? Whoa!

Ummm... It took an invitation to a jewelry party for me to realize I hadn't spoken to my best friend in two years. I love her, and we didn't have a fight, she just works and travels alot, and I've been going through stuff with which she couldn't identify...... And it just happened. But, like all of my friends, when we get together, we just pick up our conversation again. I have a cousin to whom I'm similiarly close, and when she had surgery, I was there for a week to help her recover, even though I hadn't seen her in the 8 months previous. I need people to whom I can go WHEN I need them, not every week. Is THAT wierd???? Oh, and they can totally call me when they need me, too. :)

Damn would you LOOK at those amazing hardwoods in the background..sooooo shiny..

AND...your beautiful "new" floor is gleaming!! The perfect accessory for elegant Mr. Bob. (In addition to the carpet he is modeling.)

Whoa, Faith got her shirt from my cafepress shop :) That's so awesome that I want to yell and tell people but I don't think my cat is going to give a rat's ass and she's the only one here with me.

Nope, she didn't care. But yay!

BOB!!!!! It's all about YOU!!!!!

Yes, needing alone time is perfectly "normal"! I start to fuzz out and get all anxious if I don't get some every day. So take it if you've got it!

Christine, thank you. I missed the previous comment. I have always argued that I am a naturally shy person who learned to overcompensate. So now I come off to most as a complete extrovert when I really am not. And then people freak out when I need time to myself. Because interacting with others? Pretty draining at times. But of course, I also attribute that to the fact that I can be pretty empathic at times. There's only so much one can soak up from others.

So Laurie, you keep on being a hermit if that's what works for you. I know we Crabs need our quiet reflection time.

After scanning the comments it seems there is little left to be said. I laugh and feel an instant kinship with you and your social angst. I can hardly wait to meet you in person! Cracker Barrel here we come!

Bob Rocks!

I think all the people who ask "How can you spend so much time alone?" are jealous! I like being on my own and having me time it's good for thinking some deep thoughts. I am however in total denial about turning 39 this past birthday (so much so that when I have to list it for something official I have to do math to figure it out).....how did that happen!! I still feel like I did when I was twelve.

I am loving Faith's shirt! I need me one of those!
And Bob, stretch baby!

I think we are just living in a city with so mnay people that I CRAVE alone time. Companies keep cuttung back on office space so a lot of us live in cube city with no privacy...then we take public transportation. I like to cocoon when I get home and sometimes I want to pay my husband to leave just to be totally in silence and alone. I only see my very best dearest closest friend every few months oe so because at night and on weekends you have to pry me out of my little home. .. and I'm a 'people person'. I really am.. I just need a lot of recovery and downtime from the social bombardment of a normal day. hermiting is good. Also. I think if you can't enjoy your own company how boring are you? I've always felt a little sorry for people who can,t entertain themselves.
oh yeah and by the way..did you see that crazy woman running up the stairs waving her arms and begging the bus driver to stop the bus tonght..yeah that was me. the thoughts of beig stuck downtown for another hour was much more horrifying than making a total fool os myself what with the screaming and arm-waving...maybe now I should really consider being a hermit after that embarassing public display.HA

Yey! Thanksgiving started early! Lovely, Laurie!

I'm all "me too!' over Faith's T-shirt!

Oh, and Bob? Can I face-plant into that tummy fuzz? Just adorable!

"I'm lucky to know people who don't seem to mind one bit that I just chatter on nervously sometimes "

As a very garrulous and outgoing person who also hugs inappropriately and talks a LOT and throws a lot of quite successful parties I can tell you that hostesses are always pleased to see someone who chatters on - it greases the social wheels.

Hmmm, I recognize this: "solitude for recharging" and "it's the time I spend alone that makes me enjoy other people's company"...
Dear Laurie, it's called being an introvert. Extroverts get energy from being around people and bustle; introverts find it draining even when they enjoy it, and need alone time to recharge. Honor it and embrace it. And maybe feel a little sad for the people who are puzzled by the concept of enjoying time alone (but don't tell them -- no reason to make them feel bad :-).

I think I remember you being in your mid-thirties somewhere (you probably said the real number in a weak moment here once). Honestly, I don't think you look your age. When you've got that going for you, you really should tell people your real age, so you can have the pleasure of hearing how young you look.

I think I remember you being in your mid-thirties somewhere (you probably said the real number in a weak moment here once). Honestly, I don't think you look your age. When you've got that going for you, you really should tell people your real age, so you can have the pleasure of hearing how young you look.

There's a marvelous book called "The Introvert Advantage," by Marti Olsen Laney, to which I think MrsHamilton and other posters might be referring. (Social events drain introverts, alone time recharges them, vice versa with extroverts.) It's just nice to know that we introverts aren't crazy or necessarily hermit-like, but perfectly normal in our own reclusive ways.

My DH is a people person, an extravert. He goes nuts, fairly literally, if he doesn't have social contact every single day.
Me? I go nuts if I am forced into social situations every single day. I'm an introvert, like a whole lot of my buddies. I need time in my hidey hole to recharge.
In my time here in the US it seems that everyone is "supposed to be" extraverted and doing coffee and lunch and breakfast and meetups and being on the go all the time. That seems loopy to me.
Surely you've done a Meyer-Briggs test?

Has Bob left that rug yet?

I completely understand! I am like you too! I am not a social person but I want to be one. I'm just shy around new people and I never get a chance to attend many social gatherings too! I'm so talkative and noisy to close people but unfortunately, the close people are only few. It was nice reading this post. It reminded me that there are many people like me and that makes me normal =)

When so many people are stressed to the max stating things such as, "I never have any time to myself" and what not, I am THRILLED to have time alone. I have my friends but I often chose to be by myself and I like it that way. My father calls this anti-social but I disagree. I do go out to parties and such but equally enjoy being alone as well. I'm not one of those people who needs constant companionship.

I feel sorry too for people who can't be alone. I really enjoy my own company. That's the secret of my DH and my success. We each enjoy our own company and aren't reliant on each other or anyone else for entertainment. That looks like it was one fine party - glad to see that Faith is up-and-about.

I answer when asked my age - at 64, I just think to myself "consider the alternative"! I DO look my age, in fact probably older, but I'm on the inside looking out so I don't notice :grin:

Looooooooooove Faith's shirt!!!!

I'm living that situation. My friends are ALL bar people, and I get occasional anxiety attacks at the thought of a bar. So I sit home, alone and knit. Sometimes with wine. I know I'm on my way to becoming "that crazy cat lady". But I've also accepted it, and decided if they don't like it, well *&^ them! I'm finally happy being me!!

After the carpet story (I was both cheering and barfing through the entire post)chatting to gay bikers 'aint no big thang!

You ARE woman!!!

I also grew up "out in the country" and learned to enjoy solitary activities like reading and knitting. Since I've always had jobs where I had to be very outgoing (waitress, teacher, social worker), I cherish my alone time. I have a habit of staying up late after everyone has gone to bed, just to have time for myself. And I'm often invisible to others, who don't recall that we have met and spoken previously. It doesn't bother me any longer, nor does my age. I'll be 52 in November but I still frequent rock concerts because I feel like I'm in my 20s on the inside. A nice side effect of getting older is not caring what people think of you!

Okay. I'm still stuck on your incredible floors. You are amazing, Laurie. A---Mazing.

Also, I'm a hermit about to be pushed to my social limits.... and it's freakin me out!

Writers are like that. If we're around too many other people too often we can't hear the voices in our heads.

There is nothing wrong with being a hermit. Just ask that frog. Oh wait, that was Kermit.

I am 46 and don't color my hair, which is full of Morticia streaks. I sometimes amuse myself by asking a clerk if the store, movie etc. gives AARP discounts -- they ALWAYS say, "but you don't look anywhere near 50!" The last time we went to the movies I asked the ticket seller, and she said the same thing. She was in training, and her boss said "Go ahead, do the discount ... you don't need to ask for an ID ... women never lie to make themselves older." Hee hee. Actually, I was not lying about my age ... I simply asked if they gave AARP discounts. DH is a few years older than me and is old enough for AARP, and I qualify as a member by default (for real). This gets me discounts AND compliments.

Being a social butterfly is both overrated and fattening. Fried, snacky food and social drinking when you don't always really feel like it, etc. Nowadays I am a house cat unless I get together with friends on purpose ... as opposed to being a barfly simply because it's Friday ... Wednesday ... Saturday ... Saints game ... open mike night ... Astros game ... wine tasting night ... LSU baseball night.

I wish I'd had that particular epiphany in my 20s.

hey, there is nothing wrong with not being a social giant. i have 2 sisters and 1 brother, a husband and 2 kids and i LOVE the alone time i get. i pretend to be too tire or not feeling well just so i can convince the hubby to get the kids out of the house for a few hours. sometimes i surf the web, watch tv, knit or just plain old nothing. being alone sometimes is not only good for the sanity it's good for the soul.

Laurie, I am SO with you on the alone time thing! For years I berated myself for it as well, until I read the book "Highly Sensitive People" by Elaine Aron. She described my personality exactly, and helped me understand that there's nothing wrong with the way I am. Just because our society seems to be made up of mostly outgoing, busy-busy people doesn't make it right for everyone. So there! Did you know that many of the world's great artists and geniuses were like us?

I've been quietly reading your blog for the past couple of months. One of the reasons I love your blog is that you are living my parallel fantasy life in which I'm not married with kids, but instead, living all alone in a cute little house with time & space all to myself. I thrive on being alone, but I don't get it nearly enough. I'm glad that you are getting to the point that you can embrace your love of being alone. It really is a wonderful trait.

Look at those beautiful floors under Bob T. Cat!!

Hi Laurie, I am really cherishing my alone time, and have to almost force myself to socialise at the moment, I get so drained by others negativity and nasty comments. I think that is why it is important for me to be alone, to walk my dalmatian, enjoy the countryside, daydream, read, knit, cook cakes for friends, and just be. The commuting and office politics just stresses me, and I am so glad I am not working at the moment. You are not alone at all in enjoying your solace - we are special because we can do this - not everyone can!

Laurie, where went that Steve guy's comment? I wanted to tell him about the time some of us folks from rural Montana did some Decon shooters and one day I realized they were making me sick, so I.Stopped. Tee hee hee. Dude needs to finish his Basic Literature Class Where We Learn About Writing From a Sense of Place ala Faulkner, Stegner, Cather, Steinbeck, Whitman........

Keep up the good work, Laurie, we love your writing.

Life is short. Talking happens!

I love that line. I'm going to borrow it if you don't mind... because it describes me, my family, my life!
:)
So glad you had a great time at the BBQ.

Find out where Faith got that T-shirt and let me know. I really, really want one. Thanks.

Faith got that T-shirt at Lindsay's CafePress shop (another CAP reader).

The URL is:
http://www.cafepress.com/buy/
knitting+skull/-/pv_design_prod/pg_1/
p_storeid.89887160/pNo_89887160/id_16002761/opt_/
fpt______________Da___HP_FD___ah__dS/c_668/

You're gonna need to put that all together as one URL though...

And look. Faith is "talking" in the third person. Again!

I love solitude too! I've always felt like a freak for being so introverted. Thanks for making me feel less like a weirdo.