Queen Bee, yeah, we do feel the same about pretty much all the bullet points you mentioned. And about living in a small community, your concerns are definitely valid. But chances are there won’t be as many people you would want to avoid, anyway…And about the concern of people being in your business, that may depend on your outlook about it. You’ll definitely have your privacy, but yes, people will generally be more concerned about you and involve you more in their own lives, and probably expect you to involve them a little in yours.
Concerning a situation like mine, I don’t think that is unique to an “out of town” community necessarily, but rather to the particular situation I was in. I think the problem for me was that I didn’t receive enough care and support, and in a smaller community, chances are there would have been more care and support.
And yeah, I also feel like I stand out in a crowd. But that’s just how I am. When I was in bais medrash, I would be the only one in my shiur wearing a colored shirt, let alone an ORANGE or GREEN shirt. I actually don’t like blending in.
About the CR, what you said is actually why I think it’s a great place for you. And me, for that matter. We get to discuss things in a Jewish environment, hear others’ opinions that we may have never thought of, and discuss our own opinions (when the mods let) that others can appreciate.
Hmm, some of my other interests…I pretty much love anything that involves creativity. So that includes art, music, architecture, literature, product/car design, film, animation, gaming, cartoons, plays, performances, sports, public speaking, cooking, and many other things that I can’t name right now. But yeah, I love creativity. What are some of your interests? (Besides taking online algebra quizzes.)