I am socially reclusive to say the least so when I joined Twitter eight short weeks ago and found myself in the middle of a huge cocktail party surrounded by an eclectic group of invited strangers, I realized that I had finally found a party that I could enjoy and relate to.

Here we all are - complete with name badges and armed with informative snippets of conversation.    Eavesdropping is encouraged as, during moments of silence, we span the room for topics that interest us and quotes that fascinate us.

Of course there is no verbal long term commitment as conversations are limited to 140 characters. If we want to expand or reply - quick reference to websites, videos, blogs and more in-depth discussions are gladly offered (no matter who you are).

A wonderful group of supporters directed me to the "welcome table".  Funny I had never seen it before.  The table was full of Twitter promotional information.  I picked up a copy of the secret codes: @, #, RT, DM, This- and gasped!  " Wow!  That"s how it works!" 

Excitedly I entered a Hash Room - It was full of people congregating in a room discussing a single topic..   I showed my # card proudly - so happy to belong to such a compatible group of people.

But the wonderment of the Twitter cocktail party is the ability to attend in your PJs and at any hour of the day or night and be welcomed and expected.

New guests are invited to attend and regular guests interact with familiarity and preparedness.   New topics are introduced as new guests enter the room.  

I used to dread going to work cocktail parties.   The fear of forgetting names of important clients, being intimated by renowned personalities and the constant pressure of having to be verbally entertaining or profoundly knowledgeable in any subject that is being discussed at any time.

There is a comfort in having time to prepare and yet appear spontaneous.Twitter has given me a social freedom. Freedom to express and to interact whenever and with whomever I choose.

I tucked the secret codes into my PJ top pocket- and dropped an invitation onto the Welcome Table:   " You are welcome to attend : https://twitter.com/leoniemateer"