well... this isn't exactly a "suck it up and introduce yourself" moment, but what i have found at Lee is that if you're just present you find yourself being included. i dealt with the same kind of feelings around this time last year, so i kinda have an idea of what you're talking about. i found that if i was just around to be there, not even trying to make people see me, i was noticed and included. just make yourself more present. even if you don't introduce yourself beyond your first name, just being around with a group of people often keeps you busy enough with friends... if that makes any sense at all (kinda felt like mindless ramblings from this end).

So I know you posted this like a year ago but as someone who knew you in the past and stumbled across your blog, I thought I'd comment. You DO have a great sense of humor and even though you might think that it leads to relationships without depth or superficial relationships with people who don't get to know you, I think that your sense of humor does compel people to want to be friends/more than friends with you and that eventually through time spent talking and yes joking you do manage to have a real effect on people and they do see the real you. I think perhaps you doubt yourself too much and are afraid to pursue relationships out of fear of rejection or what you fear that person is thinking. You are so easy to be around and talk to and people you may not even realize spend time thinking about you and wondering why you don't call them to hang out or go out of your way to make plans to do things with them. When I met you, I remember thinking, wow this is the first guy I have EVER met who really listens when I talk and has great things to say in response and is smart and witty at the same time. Most guys I know spend more time hitting on me or trying to be cool than they do actually listening to me and getting to know me. You are so cool and charming without even trying and you don't even realize it. Try to remember that girls are shy and when they like you will carry on a casual friendship with you in hopes that the friendship will lead to more but need for you to give them fairly clear signs to let them know you are interested. Even something as simple as calling a girl and asking her to go get some coffee will clue her in and will give you one on one time to foster a closer relationship while still allowing you to play it off as friendship if you are afraid she may not feel the same way. Anyways, I think your a great guy and hope things are going well for you.