Extrovert problems

[feuervogel]

So, I work from home, and I don't really see anyone outside the pub anymore. I've been too busy to throw a party for a while (though I intend to have a 40th birthday bash), and my entire social life consists of sitting with my husband on our couch.

This is ... inadequate.

I don't get invited to parties, or "hey, we haven't seen each other in ages, let's hang out this weekend," or anything where I can feel something like an emotional connection to someone other than my husband. (OK, some newish friends from the pub invited us to poker night next weekend, but that doesn't sound like the kind of thing where you can hang out and talk about stuff, since you're playing poker.)

I like doing stuff with people! But I don't know how to get people to invite me places. No one thinks of me when they think "people I want to have at my NYE party" or whatever. This is why I keep telling Ben I don't feel like I have any friends at all anymore. Even the people I was closest to who live on the other side of the country now I feel like I've drifted really far from.

I don't know how to make it better.

Comments

[blimix.livejournal.com]

I put out lots of invitations. Even when people don't respond (it's often mass mail that doesn't call for a response), I think it helps keep me in their minds as someone to possibly do stuff with.

Also, poker night is a way to get familiar with people, which can lead to other social opportunities later. I've gone out hiking and dining with people I met through board game night. Don't just pass up opportunities like that. *hugs*

[feuervogel]

TBH I just don't *do* that much lately. I have tai chi class Monday (and probably another one Tuesday starting this week, since I like sword a lot), then trivia night Wednesday. Add in homework & travel to class (Russian), and where's my time?

I tried getting a monthly board game night going, but that didn't pan out. It's also hard to chat if your plan is gaming (or you just chat the whole time and don't game, which is fun but not what was on the tin).

Poker night could be interesting, though I already know a lot of the people who go, mostly from the pub but one guy is another tai chi student in my school. /o\

[tiurin.livejournal.com]

What my HS friends and I did for poker night when we were back on break was order pizza about halfway through. Then we'd eat pizza and talk until everyone was done before playing again. Whoever won last time pays for pizza this time.

Also, given the amount of folding in poker, there's also plenty of talking.

[feuervogel]

They used to do it as a potluck, but now it's going to be a snack/dessert-luck. Also, gambling for money at all in your home is illegal in North Carolina, even penny ante, so making the winner buy food would suck for the winner.