This is really amazing

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Like I posted a few weeks ago, I'm going on my great white shark diving trip on Monday - I am quite excited . . .

Anyway, I'm going with a person I know named Diane - I've met her before when she stayed at my house, but mostly we communicate online - which is fine by me . . . I'd talk to my neighbors just online if possible . . .

We decided quite a while ago that we would share a room for the trip because it is in California, which is quite expensive as is the diving trip itself . . . and I figured I'd just deal with it because of the money issue - I've shared hotel rooms with people before and not died outright . . . just been very stressed the whole time . . .

So she emails me the other day and says 'what do I do to make this easier for you?' and I couldn't really think of anything - so I said, I'll bring a fan and lots of my stuffed animals and my stim toys and that will help - and then another person I know suggested that I take the bed by the window so that Diane never has to come into my space uninvited and maybe even push the bed into the corner if it isn't bolted to the wall - so I told her all these things and also, as a long shot, said if I got really stressed I might ask her to leave for 15 minutes or so . . . I also mentioned that my sense of direction is so bad I'm sure I will get lost in the hotel and have to be rescued at least once . . .
And I'm thinking she won't go for any of this . . .
Well, she emails me back and says 'I was looking at the web site for the hotel and I noticed that there are pictures of the hotel on the web site - so you might want to look at those so you know where you are roughly, at least - also, I noticed there were lots of chairs and tables in the rooms so we could put those around your bed to make you feel alone - oh - and even put an extra sheet over them if you wanted to make like a tent - and you might want to bring some of those flannel sheets you like so much . . .'

And I'm floored . . .

I emailed her back and said that I really appreciated the consideration and she said that I take this time to learn to communicate with her, so it was her job to learn to communicate with me . . .

Though a large part of my brain is still screaming 'DANGER!' the other part thinks that one of my stuffed animals may consider staying on her bed . . .

That sounds like a pretty incredible woman animallover.
I can see why one of your stuffed animals might just decide to do that.
Either way, I hope that you thoroughly enjoy your trip.
Sounds like your off to a good start.

That is SO wonderful. What a caring person she sounds like!

Holy freaking sh** that woman sounds awesome. I know what you mean about being suspicious... but, if that's a representative sample of her actions, you could probably even get away with saying "I feel like I can't trust this, why are you being so nice to me? How's it to your advantage?" and have her actually give you a well-thought-out answer.

Actually the whole trip sounds really exciting. Count me in for wanting to hear the story of it when you get back.

I actually asked something similar to that already - but not in those words - anyway, she said that (and this doesn't make a lot of sence to me because I've always been taught that the way you deal with the world is to act normal and behave yourself - that is what people want) she was going on vacation WITH me and therefore wants me to enjoy myself, too and she knows how territorial I am and how asocial I am - so that those feelings have to be dealt with for me to enjoy myself . . .

Now to get through the plane ride (rummages for a valium . . .)

That sounds like it would be an awesome trip, even if your mind does keep saying 'DANGER'. I'd say that the lady is pretty nice and considerate and would be a very good friend in the future; I haven't met anyone that considerate ever before. You should consider yourself extremely blessed and go on the trip. Also, the sharks sound like they'll be a big thrill.

I can't believe that I forgot to add that the original plan for the plane trip was for her to fly from DC (where she lives) to DFW (where I live) so I wouldn't have to be on the plane alone - but that would cost so much more that the decision was made that it would be money better spent elsewhere . . . but the thought of doing that is just amazing . . .

Oooh be careful!

I wouldnt dive with sharks unless I had a shark cage.

For great whites you do have to have a cage - but other types of sharks are perfectly safe to dive with without a cage - some, like whale sharks are totally harmless (they have vestigal 1mm teeth) but huge (60 to 80 feet - biggest fish in the ocean) but even sharks like tigers and bulls and grey reef sharks are safe if you are paying attention to them . . .

There are even divers that dive with white sharks without a cage, but I'm not nearly that experienced!

you have a fantastic time, with this fantastic woman - she sounds unbelievable!

sod the sharks!

Hmmm.... music, headphones, a good book, and zero eye contact with your fellow passengers so they know you don't want to be bothered?

And lots of time between flights if you have a transfer.