Day 2: New Flat, New Town, New Friends
I've only recently moved to this area. For the last few years I've been moving around, both for work and a few adventures. I lived in Scotland, New Zealand, travelled NZ,Australia, and the southern states of the USA. Then I finally returned to the UK, living in 2 very quiet areas with terrible jobs before moving to where I am now.
I think the hardest thing about moving is finding new friends. We all need people to hang out with outside of work. In the past I've joined martial arts groups, hiking groups, and student skiing clubs to meet new people and find people to talk to. Its nice just to have some people to chat with about normal life, being human, and having times which aren't as serious as work can easily be.
My mother used to complain about the fact I also play tabletop games, board games, and write fiction. Its all very childish to her generation, and even many people from my own share the same views. However, its really easy to get into a community of IRL gamers. They have organised meetings, people are always keen to see new people, and even if you've had a bad day, or just don't want to chat, you can socialise over the game you are playing. So long as you are nice, polite, and play by the rules, everyone is very happy to see you.
At uni I used to socialise via the climbing club I was part of and by going drinking with the rugby team. I only played a couple of games of rugby for them, when they were desperate. I normally play prop, which is not a safe position, and I was keen to never get injured as I'd rather be climbing. I haven't climbed in a long time, but should really get back into it. Whilst I'm a big, heavy-set guy, not designed to scale walls, the exercise is very good, whilst also being a mental challenge. And similarly to the gaming, so long as you are safe and reasonable, people are happy to see you, spend time with you, and always welcoming. Its a far better social life for a new person than drinking, although I do think there are merits to hanging out with the guys over a few beers occasionally.
This week I have just realised I have quite a few events on. I only recently put the calendar up in the new flat, and started marking it up.
I have a surprise day off work today, due to working a previous weekend. So today is a writing day instead.
Tomorrow there is a meeting of local young professionals. These are good little groups for people like myself who do similar jobs, and so can happily moan and console about the same issues over a drink and pizza. I'm also optimistic because a really hot friend of a friend is going, who I've got on well with before. I'll just have to see if anything will happen. ;)
If nothing does happen then I've finally bitten the bullet and signed up to a Match.com evening on Wednesday. Match is a shockingly terrible website, and I can't tell you how bad I, personally, think it is. But we all do stupid things when drunk, so I've found myself signed up. Given how terrible the website design is, I've decided to accept the invite to a free evening out with them. It might be terrible, it might be good. I'm not optimistic, but I'll just have to find out!
Then, finally, I have a board game tournament on Thursday evening. Hopefully I'll meet lots of locals, make some new friends, and probably have the crap kicked out of me on the gaming-field. It should be fun & funny though, and with good chat.
To round it all off I should, at some point, be going home to see my parents. They have a new TV & Wifi, so they need a little help setting it up. I can't promise to be any help, but its a chance to go for a nice walk in the Yorkshire countryside with their dog, be well fed, and catch up.
Should be an interesting week!
I think the hardest thing about moving is finding new friends. We all need people to hang out with outside of work. In the past I've joined martial arts groups, hiking groups, and student skiing clubs to meet new people and find people to talk to. Its nice just to have some people to chat with about normal life, being human, and having times which aren't as serious as work can easily be.
My mother used to complain about the fact I also play tabletop games, board games, and write fiction. Its all very childish to her generation, and even many people from my own share the same views. However, its really easy to get into a community of IRL gamers. They have organised meetings, people are always keen to see new people, and even if you've had a bad day, or just don't want to chat, you can socialise over the game you are playing. So long as you are nice, polite, and play by the rules, everyone is very happy to see you.
At uni I used to socialise via the climbing club I was part of and by going drinking with the rugby team. I only played a couple of games of rugby for them, when they were desperate. I normally play prop, which is not a safe position, and I was keen to never get injured as I'd rather be climbing. I haven't climbed in a long time, but should really get back into it. Whilst I'm a big, heavy-set guy, not designed to scale walls, the exercise is very good, whilst also being a mental challenge. And similarly to the gaming, so long as you are safe and reasonable, people are happy to see you, spend time with you, and always welcoming. Its a far better social life for a new person than drinking, although I do think there are merits to hanging out with the guys over a few beers occasionally.
This week I have just realised I have quite a few events on. I only recently put the calendar up in the new flat, and started marking it up.
I have a surprise day off work today, due to working a previous weekend. So today is a writing day instead.
Tomorrow there is a meeting of local young professionals. These are good little groups for people like myself who do similar jobs, and so can happily moan and console about the same issues over a drink and pizza. I'm also optimistic because a really hot friend of a friend is going, who I've got on well with before. I'll just have to see if anything will happen. ;)
If nothing does happen then I've finally bitten the bullet and signed up to a Match.com evening on Wednesday. Match is a shockingly terrible website, and I can't tell you how bad I, personally, think it is. But we all do stupid things when drunk, so I've found myself signed up. Given how terrible the website design is, I've decided to accept the invite to a free evening out with them. It might be terrible, it might be good. I'm not optimistic, but I'll just have to find out!
Then, finally, I have a board game tournament on Thursday evening. Hopefully I'll meet lots of locals, make some new friends, and probably have the crap kicked out of me on the gaming-field. It should be fun & funny though, and with good chat.
To round it all off I should, at some point, be going home to see my parents. They have a new TV & Wifi, so they need a little help setting it up. I can't promise to be any help, but its a chance to go for a nice walk in the Yorkshire countryside with their dog, be well fed, and catch up.
Should be an interesting week!
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