Nightlife

I went to dive bars 2 (two) nights in a row this week!

Thursday, I was forced to attend a Yelp "Thirsty Thursday" event as Matt promised to do unspeakable things to my desk if I didn't go. It was an okay function, but as I didn't know anyone but Matt, I didn't really enjoy myself. Some folks have such an easy time of chatting to people they don't know about stuff that doesn't matter...I'm not one of those folks. I don't have the gift of small talk.

On the bright side, my desk is safe. For now.

Last night, Tami (who got my IM via Cat...I love how the internet is all connected that way...even Nick went, although when we had lunch earlier that day I had no idea I'd be going, too) invited me to go to Carriage House for karaoke. I followed Junior there (and a good thing, too, as I'm not sure I'd have found the place on my own) and had a great time spectating the singers.

The difference between the two events is just that last night, I knew quite a few of the folks who were going to be there and could talk with various folks over the course of the evening. Thursday night, I really struggled with overcoming my shyness to talk to a couple of people sitting nearby. At a karaoke bar, you can always talk about how the singer is doing, the song choices, etc... so there are built-in conversation opportunities. Not so much in a bar with nothing but drinking.

And while the Yelpers were all very friendly folks, I don't have anything in common with them, other than we all write little reviews on Yelp. For example, with FlyerTalk events, you know everyone travels so you can talk airlines, locations, airports. I've never had trouble chatting with someone from FT. On the other hand, Yelp reviews cover everthing from doctors to parks to restaurants. In the scheme of things, that's not enough commonality for me to start a conversation.

It's the yin and yan of life for me. I want to meet people, but I don't want to actually talk to any of them.