My name is Cynthia. I have many nicknames. One of them is Pollyanna. I'm an eternal optimist. I can find a silver lining in almost any grey cloud.

I'm a degreed librarian in my late 20s working in a public library in rural, southwestern Michigan. I'm only been at my job for a limited time, and it's hard. I have no friends my age. I've made only one almost-friend in the time I've been there, beside my co-workers, and I've chosen not to pursue that kind of relationship with them. This one friend is about 60 years older than me. It's really quite sad.

I've always been extroverted, but it's mostly as a people-pleaser. I talk to gain approval from others. I know that about myself, but it's hard to stop myself sometimes. I have a hard time with impulse control anyway: talking, eating, lounging around - doing nothing. It's hard for me to self-start. It's something I've been working on as a self-improvement project for a long, long time.

It was drummed into me just how long this week. I had both my first, official review at the job, and my 10-year class reunion. There were aspects of myself that I dislike and had thought that I'd almost overcome. They were revisited at both. It was painful and embarassing.

But, I passed my first evaluation, which is good. That means that I can finally take that sick leave I've been accumulating all this time, if I have need of it. And, I got to reminise about the good time (along with the bad) with some old friends, who may become friends again.

It definitely made the point, though, that I need friends my own age, who I can talk about real stuff with. One reason I've chosen not to pursue a friend-type relationship (opposed to a friendly-acquaintance relationship) with my co-workers is that southwestern Michigan is *very* conservative. Between my community and the "rival" community about 10 minutes away, there are 52 churches. *Fifty-two!!* These people do not, and likely will not, know that I'm pagan. A couple are Mormon, and one is a bible-thumping, fasting weekly, raise-your-hands and cry "Jesus!" Christian. H-O-L-Y C-R-A-P!!

I found a Universalist Unitarian church in a larger community 35 minutes away, but at these gas prices, and me living paycheck-to-paycheck, I just can't justify it, especially when it doesn't get me any nearby "peeps."

So...that's why I'm doing this. If I can't have nearby "peeps," then I'll have virtual "peeps." I hope . Here's the absolute, real-deal low-down on Cynthia:

late-twenties, librarian, reader (romance, erotica, science fiction, fantasy, teen fiction, a little non-fiction biography-type), crafter (crochet, quilt, weaving a little), music lover (classical, country, world, instrumental), movie lover (comedy, drama, superhero), food and flavor lover (especially spicy stuff), belly dancer, reluctant exerciser and cleaner (in need of workout buddy). more to come as I think of it.

Well, it's late. I'm tired and sunburned, and am headed to bed. Maybe I'll find some groups to join tomorrow.

Goodnight to all who read this. May the God and Goddess bless and protect you, and safeguard the physical, emotional, mental, spiritual, and financial health and well-being of you and friends and family, and the friends and family of your friends and family.