I'm the same way. This is almost hard to admit, but I don't have any close friends. None. I don't really know anybody that I feel I could call and and say, "Hey can you come over, I need some help with something.". There are probably plenty of people who would, I just couldn't bring myself to call them.
I was extremely shy as a child. I sort of grew out of that (or learned to deal with it) but to this day I have this weird (according to my wife) defense mechanism where I keep people at a distance.
The odd thing is that people who know me think I'm a happy-go-lucky guy. Not really. I am pleasant and friendly, but almost incapable of small talk. I just don't seem to be able to do it.
But...I am awesome at getting up in front of large groups and speaking. I recently gave a talk in front of the entire engineering organization at my facility (probably 75 people) and was "in my element". I travel internationally and give talks and sit on review panels and somehow pull it off. But, inside I'm freaking out and dread every trip.
Another pelican works with me at my facility. It would be interesting to get his feedback.
