I've been fighting myself on what I can do to get through it, meet other people, "get out there," again. Finally, after kind of throwing things a bit to the wind...
I started a new OKCupid account.
With this, I stuggled a bit with the whole concept of meeting someone online; it felt inorganic, like I was socially inept and had no way of traditionally making friends. To be honest though, making connections with others in Seattle cold turkey without having someone that could be your ticket in to a social circle is damn difficult, even for someone as outgoing as me.
So I decided to stick it to the web, and just peruse around. At first, I started to get more and more discouraged at seeing the calibur of individual that would reach out and message me. This, however, helped to mix up my strategy: if I want something, I should go after it; encourage someone else to swing at the tennis ball I virtually lobbed in their direction.
With that in mind, I cut down my profile, and let everyone know I didn't plan to start a friendship online, but rather encourage them to get to know me over a drink not how great a writer I was. I looked around a sent out a smatering of messages to some people that intrigued me, and offered to catch a drink sometime.
Happily, I got a handful of responses and guys liking my sense of adventure and assertiveness. I started proactively planning meetings, and getting excited at the prospect of new people to meet.
First up was a guy I met over coffee on Thursday. We decided on a half-way point, and just joked around and talked about a lot of items that we've had in the past, experiences with others, and what brought us to the site. He appreciated the fact that my outgoing personality and light nature really helped him get over his nervousness with his first time meeting someone online, and I said not to sweat it as I was happy to make a new friend.
Having that coffee date, even though I didn't find myself attracted to him, fueled my fire that I could swing this, and meet more people from the site...
After having a lonely Friday night ahead of me where I found myself waiting to see if my guy friend needed a backup hangout, I decided that I should make plans instead of waiting around to see if he'd cotact me. Feeling daring, I started checking out the "Locals" feature the OKCupid app offered on my cell phone. I saw the picture of a guy I had recognized from my bus ride home every day, and sent a buzz that we should meet. He buzzed back, and we met around the corner of my apartment for drinks.
It. Was. Awesome. The guy was really great, funny, smart, and attractive to boot. This may sound ridiculous, but it was also a nice surprise for him to cut the night a little shorter than expected. We had a couple drinks, and he admitted to starting to feel their affect. He wanted to make sure and not get too carried away and forward, and wanted to see me again. I really hope we do, as we had a wonderful time hanging out for the couple hours we did.
But wait, there's more! :) Saturday I decided to meet up with a Triathlete at my friends' show. I was pleasantly surprised when he showed up, and had fun razzing him a bit while having great music for a backdrop. The night continued on to karaoke (plus compliments to my voice with the additional pause and him saying, "... You're just awesome!") and more talks, and ended with hopes of hanging out soon.
Next up? Another new one tonight over birthday drinks in Wallingford (his birthday was yesterday, and mine's Thursday). Should be fun, and hopefully a chance to add another friend (or more potential) to the list!
To be straight, it's been really fun just getting out there and having light and hilarious conversation. No holds barred, getting to know someone just for the commonality that you want to know someone new, too.
Happy hunting readers, and thanks for tuning in.
