What is do is just basically ask them questions to stop me having to talk. "So uncle tom, how that old car of yours".. and he talks about his car while I nod and smile and think up the next question. After a while I say excuse me, and go find someone else to do the same thing with.
Loneliness is a big one for me too. I feel sad that people are going out and having fun at parties and stuff, places I wouldn't feel right about going. NYE is the biggest for me. I usually stay at home because I'm really scared of crowds and stuff, but it's fairly lonely watching the fireworks on TV when everyone else is watching them for real. I don't know.
It's good that I'm working over the public holidays this year. Which means I actually can't go out, and I get lots of money

I'm going to try and get to a Christmas party sometime though, just so I can't say 'well, I spent the whole festive season all by myself'..