I had some minor surgery today. It was no big deal, really. Just some choppin' on my foot. I was under general anesthesia for about 30 minutes and woke up feeling a bit groggy but otherwise just fine. Just fine, that is, until I started that evil thinking thing.
See, I went to the hospital alone. Again, no big deal. I did, however, have to have someone pick me up as the hospital wouldn't let me drive. Policy, you see. A quick scan of my Terminator-like database to figure out who could pick me up turned up pretty blank. Who do I know in the Nutmeg State? Um, there's the guy at the deli, my housekeeper, the woman at the bagel shop and my co-workers. Realizing that none of my retail pals knew my name, I decided that someone at the office would have to be dispatched to get me. Our bookkeeper/receptionist came a calling.
It's not that I don't appreciate her. Actually, she's super sweet. However, I found the whole thing to be rather depressing. Here I am in a locale that I really do love. But I've been here for two years now. That's the best I can do? The chain smoking, overly maternal receptionist? True, in Atlanta I would have called on a friend that I met through work. That's just where we meet people these days, I guess. However when you work with six other people the pickings are pretty slim. Sigh.
Now how do I use Friendster again?
Posted by mikewolf at October 27, 2003 10:21 PMI know exactly how you feel. I moved here two years ago last week and I have exactly one friend to show for it. What's worse... I had to "import" him from home (It's Cory, if you hadn't figured it out by now). Every time we leave town, it's like this weird frenetic challenge to find somebody we know well enough to feed Zoe for a couple of days.
Posted by: Kirsten on October 28, 2003 01:20 AMWe're having the same problem out here in S'pore. We've vowed to be more proactive about it, but it's always easier to do nothing than something.
Friendster, I would just feel dorky telling my acquaintances that I've signed up, and they should too.
Posted by: Mark on October 28, 2003 03:19 AMThese suggestions are probably no more dorky than Friendster, but you could go to Meetup.com and see if you can find people who like to do what you like to do. My brother-in-law (you know, Ron) started a board game club in Seattle and they've made tons of friends. Of course, I tried this and could never get anyone to show up past the first time. Pretty much all of our current local friends we met through the coffee house, but I don't recommend opening a coffee house just to make friends, because it sucks.
Posted by: Mel on October 28, 2003 11:13 AMGet well soon! *hugs* Sorry I couldn't give you a ride, but that would involve a plane flight first.
Posted by: LadyCrumpet on October 28, 2003 04:43 PMMike, I hope your foot's okay. I work in a lab w/ several dozen cow-orkers, none of whom I'd term a close friend. This is odd after the last two places I worked, where I made lifelong buddies in short order. Fortunately, our neighbors here are a friendly lot. This is by design, as I insisted on living in a neighborhood w/ sidewalks (not a given in the Chicago burbs, btw). Never live anywhere w/out sidewalks -- people don't talk to each other, sez I.
Posted by: Vernam on October 28, 2003 06:05 PMmaybe you can find poetry readings, community theater groups, open mics, etc. they always need volunteers. and then, there's nanowrimo.
Posted by: deano on October 29, 2003 09:45 AMI totally get you. I was a little lost when my parents moved to the Northside. I can't just have them meet me at the mechanic on the way to work anymore. I actually have a lot of people that would help me out, but I hate calling on people who aren't family. It just feels wrong.
Posted by: Meredith on October 30, 2003 12:33 PMI would have taken care of you, would have even flown up for a few days! Hope you have a speedy recovery!
Posted by: Holly on November 1, 2003 09:04 PM