New acquaintances are sometimes taken aback by the speed-dating approach to friendship I perfected in military life. Hello-my-name-is-Terri-I-just-moved-here-How-many-kids-do-you-have-Where-are-you-from-Who-is-your-dentist-Love-your-hair-Here's-my-number-Want-to-have-lunch-sometime? The fearful look in their eyes was just one indication that I needed to slow down. Way down. The acceleration was not only unnecessary; it was scaring people.