alone together

the transition from solitude to companionship and back again has been difficult for me to get my head around since moving to chicago. in many ways, i consider myself an introvert- perfectly content to spend several hours (or even days) alone. mainly, i think this is because i can easily occupy my time. there's always something to read, play, make, watch, or write about. i think it also stems from my disinclination for simultaneity. that's another post though.
but in a new city without a huge social group, this tendency towards shyness tends to manifest more as loneliness than solitude. and although i disagree with a quote i remember in the FYI about how loneliness was a cup of black coffee while solitude was a cup of green tea, there certainly is a big difference between the two.
in general, i think i've excelled at both in the past months. i've jumped at (or collided into) the chance of meeting new people while keeping up old friendships from high school and college, even when i didn't feel like making the effort. at the same time, i've occupied my unemployed hours with valid and interesting pursuits.
so it's not one or the other that's a problem, but switching between the two. i'll be so content working away by myself and get irritated when i'm interrupted by the same company that two days later i'll be thrilled to see or missing. or, i'll be looking forward to going out and it falls through and that's extremely disappointing whereas the day before it might've been a relief to not have to brave the cold.
does this mean i'm extremely finicky? or hormonal? or diffident? i really thought i was over that last one...