Thanks for posting here Carter!
I agree with others that bartending is probably a good job to help you get over shyness. Not that shyness in itself is such a bad thing. some people are more wary of others and have to get more comfortable with them first before opening up. One of the things I really like about bartenders is when they will make small talk with patrons during the slow points. It helps conversation flow between everyone. Having said that, I really don't spend much time in bars because I'm not a drinker. I do however like to go to a favorite local bar/restaurant, sit at the bar, and watch a good Tampa Bay Rays game.
I'm glad you like Florida so much. I love it here. I come from the midwest originally. Ohio actually. We call it "pop" there also. It took some effort to start calling it "soda" down here in Florida.
With all the sad talk of summer ending because school is going back in session and so on...weather-wise, summer as we know it up north doesn't end down here until about the end of November. Just sayin'... LOL Another plug for Florida.
I have another branch of my family who live in Missouri in a very rural all farming area. When I visited my cousins there as a child they all called "pop", "sodie". LOL
Again... Thanks for sharing Carter!