Yup, it's definitely a conflict and it's a cycle. There could be even up to months at a time when I don't want to see anyone but me, myself, and I and then there could be times when I really feel best with lots of company or I just want to break out and meet a lot of new people. What makes forming close personal relationships a little bit harder is that not everyone can understand the need to be alone at times without taking it personally. Really takes a special individual for me to click with that way.

I totally get you on the lack of awareness thing. I can even handle the lack of awareness, but the lack of interest or desire to learn about anything bigger than "he said that she said that they said that we said that she said" can be depressing and stifling, so I don't really attach to groups that well.