Queen Bee

I suppose the old adage is true: Opposites attract.

You see, Lane and I are very much the opposites on several key personality traits. In one case, as many of you know, I'm drama where he's mellow.

Our other big opposite? In situations with strangers or casual acquaintances alike, I will avoid eye contact, bury my nose in a book, pretend to be on a cell phone call, sit in the very back of a room -- do anything to circumvent conversation or contact. (I know what you're thinking. "You were a journalist?" Yes, it's true. Call it rising to the challenge. Or a duel personality.)

Lane, on the other hand, will chat it up with anyone. And I mean anyone. He makes eye contact and has an Aura of absolute confidence any time, any place. He is the friendliest, most networked human I know (well, next to his mother).

Luckily, our darling daughter takes after her Daddy in this respect.

There we were at Costco this morning, sharing a churro and berry smoothie, I had my back to the oncoming lunch crowd and Jane was facing them perched in the cart.

She took full advantage of her vantage point and began her campaign to be the Queen Bee. I lost count of the number of people who approached to call her 'adorable', 'precious', 'a little princess' and otherwise stand and chat with the very verbal 13-month-old.

At one point, I even saw Jane whip out her wave (saved for special occasions). A middle-aged businessman was hurrying past and apparently her slight smile with head tilt had not worked its charm. He didn't stop or wave back, but I saw a smile creep across his face as he saw the eagerly social baby vying for his admiration.

Such social networking forces me to have contact with the outside world. I suppose that's a good thing.