It's official. I need a life.

[Droopy]

I hanged out with my little sister today for a while. She came over and checked out my new place, then we went out for lunch and then we came back and talked for a while. When I say "little" sister I don't mean she's a child. She's 20 and I'm 32. It was nice to have some company seeing as how I live alone and don't have any friends that come over and visit.

We were talking and she asked me what I was doing with myself, lately. I said I don't do anything but work, surf the internet, and sleep. We both agreed that I need a life. She suggested that maybe I should get a pet. I said that wouldn't do because for long periods of the day nobody would be here to look after it. Then she suggested that I join a social group like going to church. I've got nothing against church going people, but I'd really be faking it to attend church because I'm an atheist. I couldn't see making friends with people who thought you were something that you weren't.

So how about it singles? What do you do to make your life fulfilling? How should I go about getting a life?

[Midlodemocrat]

1. I have a life. Trust me, it sucks.

[Droopy]

3. So I guess you envy my uneventful existence. n/t

[Midlodemocrat]

7. Very much so. My life is so full

...with kids, hubby, work, volunteering and of course DU, I am always totally and completely utterly exhausted.

[spatlese]

2. Do you like the people you work with?

Maybe Friday evening happy hour or something? :)

[Droopy]

8. Nah. I work a 5pm-1am shift as a trucker

Only one other person has the same schedule as me and he lives 50 miles away from our work so he is usually wanting to get home asap after his shift.

[politicaholic]

14. I agree. Being an alcoholic has done wonders...

I now go out and people actually know who I am. Plus I've found that if I try to dress up just a little, like other than sweats and a rock tee shirt, people of the opposite sex will actually look at me as if I'm there.

Or you could try working on the set of a local play. Those people are fun, and you don't even really have to do anything but paint, nail stuff, maybe throw together a costume or two, and raise the curtain and you have a whole circle of friends all of a sudden.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

4. well maybe you can join a church like the unitarians

they accept us atheists

[Droopy]

11. There's a good idea

I didn't know unitarians were accepting of atheists. I will have to look into that.

[DebJ]

5. Borders Books is a neat place to meet people. Hang out in a

shelf area that represents something you like. Also, Borders has meetings going on all the time, which they publish in their newsletter available in the stores. If you can't find a group with something you like, you could try to start your own.

[LSparkle]

6. You're not alone -- I need a life, too!

I've become a C-Span junkie ... can identify Congresspeople and Senators at a good distance ... I've thought about trying MeetUp (not just to meet people of similar political persuasion but other interests as well).

[Parche]

9. bar

So you have a sister?...........

Go to the local bar...........sign up with the local Democrat office
go to the mall..............go to the local bar..............

[Droopy]

15. Well I don't like bars

Seems like there is a lot of depressed people that hang out in them. Also I don't drink and drive.

I don't like shopping all that much, although I will be doing some of that pretty soon for Christmas. As far as going to the local Democratic headquarters go, I don't know if they'll be needing voluteers any time soon, but I guess I can check into it.

[Parche]

23. things

So what do you like to do then?

I enjoy basketball,sex, reading history books, sex,walking to the local bar, sex,shopping at the local mall, sex,watching movies,sex,
playing flight simulator,sex,going to the local libree

[miss_kitty]

10. like i said the other night

you got the diet down. Try school. One class-not even for credit-maybe you are interested in learning a new language, or gardening or art, anything-you take a class about something that interests you and poof! you are in a room full of different people with at least one interest the same as yours. :)

[Droopy]

17. Believe it or not I tried college not too long ago

And I didn't do too well. I think it would be cool to learn a new language, but seeing as how I've got a new house payment now I can't really afford the tuition.

[miss_kitty]

21. I think Sui Generis has a good idea then-volunteer! :)

[Oreo]

12. Here's my suggestion for a pet....

You could refer to My Pet Goat when you go out.... you'd be the talk of the town!

[bloodyjack]

13. Do you want mine?

I probably won't need it anytime soon.

[sui generis]

16. You have to have interests or a hobby that you can talk about

It's really hard for people to remember anything about you if you don't have something that defines you as interesting.

A pet - that's nice, and having a pet can be good if you take great care of it; walks in the park are good for meeting people, but bad for your critter if it only happens once or twice a year.

But, do you bicycle or collect elephants or work soup kitchens or do byzantine mosaics or grow opium poppies or cook, those things are what people will respond to.

In the process of doing any of those things (perhaps except for the opium poppies), you will find yourself around people who are interesting themselves. Collecting things for real involves traveling sometimes, and certainly involves networking and talking to people. Getting involved in physical activities, particularly team sports will put you around a lot of people. Go support your local rugby team - if you don't play, at least offer to help set up for local games.

See what charitable things you can do with your free time. Sometimes you will meet the most compassionate interesting people volunteering a weekend or two at the local food bank, no church required.

Just do it - step out and the world will come to you.

[Droopy]

19. Thank you for the ideas

Doing charity work just might be the ticket. I'm free during the afternoon and I could probably swing it. That would certainly give me more of a sense of fulfillment.

[BurtWorm]

18. How do you feel about Howard Dean?

The reason I ask is that he's now heading Democracy for America which holds regular Meetups. Maybe there are some in your area, or, if not, maybe you could try to start one in your area.

It's just a thought. Maybe you could start a meetup for atheists or freethinkers in your area, as well. Just another thought.

[Droopy]

22. I like Dean

But I'm not sure I'd be interested in a meet up. I'm not the most knowledgable Dem. I hang out mostly in the lounge here at DU. I'm not sure I'd have much to say at a Dean meet up.

[yellowdogintexas]

20. you can too have a pet...get a couple of cats..

preferably litter mates. They will entertain one another when you are gone (that is during the brief times they are awake, cats sleep about 18 to 20 hours a day)

they take good care of themselves and one another and will provide you years of affectionate entertainment and cuddling.

Nothing is quite as cozy as a cup of tea, a good book, and a kitty with a good purr going on.

Now I agree with the Borders hang out suggestion. I love that place.
Barnes and Noble if you don't have a Borders.

Think about the things that interestyou: theatre? volunteer with a local live theatre group to help paint sets, usher, whatever.

outdoor activities? check out hiking clubs, skating, etc

DO JOIN YOUR LOCAL DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION, and there are often neighborhood or common interest "Democratic Clubs" in larger metropolitan areas. I volunteered w/ our county org all summer and met some great folks. I also joined the local Democrat club for our part of the city and met some more great folks.

Take a cooking class, check out the "non credit"classes at the local community college.

Hang out with your sister. Damn I wish mine weren't 800 miles and 2000 miles away respectively!!!!!!! If we all lived within a short drive of one another, we would have a standing sister's night out at least every 2 weeks if not more!

I personally get a tremendous amount of social life from my church activities. I belong to two lively groups within my very large church and there is always something hopping that involves fun people!

for the last 7 months, my husband has been working in Wyoming, doing something he truly loves to do that he could not do locally. This won't go on forever and I do get to see him on occasion. However, I have had to reorganize my life somewhat, especially after I lost my job in June. Ithas been an adventure. :toast: :hi: :donut:

[Droopy]

24. It's off to work with me

Thank you all for the good ideas. Keep them coming and I will check back in when I get home tonight.

[Nikia]

25. I'm married and have a pet but need a life

My dad said nothing to that tune when I hadn't seen him in a few months and talked about how much I hated my job for a couple hours. He said that I really needed to have regular non work related activities and hobbies that are more important than work like he does. My best friend recommended a stronger committment to hobbies as well to relieve stress. I know that it is true.
I don't know about you, but I've thought about getting more physically active again. These activities can be done on your own but if you want to meet other people, there are gyms and activity classes. The election has encouraged me to become more politically involved although I don't think that my local organization is very active, especially in the off season. My area community college offers some classes non credit for relatively low prices. I am considering taking non credit Spanish (only $27) since I have not received formal instruction in it but have encountered many speakers. One of the local craft shops offers art lessons but most classes are during when I work, but it might be an option for you to learn a new hobby and meet others.

[cmf]

26. Some suggestions

Do you have a cause that you might want to volunteer for? It's social and you can meet like-minded people. Sort of like church, but you don't have to worry about faking it.

Do you like to play any sports? Joining a recreational team can be really fun. You can meet a lot of people that way.

[sbj405]

27. A friend of mine volunteers through a singles volunteer org.

But probably any volunteer org would be a good option. Or book clubs.

[d_b]

28. life smife