My Meet-up life

Being in a new city with no real friends to speak of, I was finding myself getting lonely.  Which is rare for me because I love being alone.  I enjoy eating in restaurants solo, going to the movies with me, myself and I and riding my bike alone.

Its evident I like being alone but in life its important to be social as well.  Its key to making connections be it personally or professionally.  So I made a decision to sign-up for some activity on Meet-up at least once a week.  

For those of you who don't know what Meet-up is, its a social  online  network to find groups of people who like things you like.  Basically its a big bulletin board with awesome get together's.

Last weekend I went on a Intermediate Hike 2.5 miles....I know its hilarious that is a walk for me, what we did wasn't even a hike but what can I saw these Texans think hiking is putting on hiking boots and walking anyplace outside that consists of more then from your work office to your car.  That may have been a bit harsh but its the truth.  So back to the "hike", it was a good walk interesting people 2 guys and about 6 ladies.  The ladies were in there 50's and a kick in the pants the whole "Hike" they talked about how they couldn't find a man and for the ones that had a man they complained about how there man argues with them.  Now just think this conversation with a southern accent.  It was funny!!! 

The "hike" it was even more funny because everyone showed up like we were going on a day hike.  Full backpacks, snacks, water bottles, hiking poles and one dude had an umbrella.  I had it all in me not to laugh.  Me I show up in shorts, t-shirt and a small water bottle stuck in my back pocket.  I decided this meet-up group is not the hiking group I am looking for.  For such a short hike they were awful slow.  

But I am joining them for a Water & Wine Hike....Once again its 2 miles but we are hiking to a place to swim and I am all about that.

Then the following week I am joining a group of folks headed to a festival and next month a group going roller skating.

I decided when I moved that I would make it a point to get out and do things I normally don't do, meet people I never would and make a major effort to build a community for myself.  It feels weird putting myself out there but its important to stretch outside my comfort zone and that is just what I do each time I go to a Meet-up.  I Stretch A Little and it helps me grow as an individual.