THE CHRONICLES OF A REAL GO-GETTER

AUGUST  2015 

As you all know, I am new to the OC/LA area and, because I’m not working outside of the house, I’m not as social as I would like to be. I heard of meet-up.com but never really gave it much thought. After perusing what they were about and coming across a lot of interesting groups, I created a profile.  My first meet-up was with a ladies only' group who were all pretty new to LA and had the same m.o. as me, to get out, actually socialize, and get to know people here. The first outing was for their anniversary party celebrating the group’s fifth year running. I thought this would be perfect for my first meet-up since it would kind of remove the

awkwardness of actually having to sit down and force conversations... and they were expecting new members anyway.

 

I kept going back and forth on whether or not to have my husband come along. My dilemna being, if he came I would probably use him as a crutch and not really talk to anyone. Well, at the last minute I decided to bring him along, I mean it is  LA, I’m by myself at night, and neither one of us was having that, needless to say. The lounge was near downtown LA so I was happy my superman was there to save me, just in case any crazies popped up. Once we got inside everyone was really nice.  Evidently other ladies were thinking the same thing because they immediately directed us to the designated mens section.  I politely dropped my boo off to fend for himself. It was now turning out to be an experiment for the both of us.  Wwhat do ya know?!?!

Naturally, we are drawn to inviting auras and smiles, but some chicks looked stuck-up, for lack of better words.  iIt was as if they forgot why they were there in the first place. It all started to feel like a dating scene, honestly, and after introducing myself a few times I was kind of over it. Add to that about thirty minutes of running back and forth to check on my hubby.  Surprisingly he was doing better than me, lol. Guys just don’t go thru the hoopla women do to get know each other.  You would have thought they all been knowing each other.

I finally met a a young lady and we just seemed to just click. You somehow just know when someone is like you and ya’ll vibe. She and I talked and hung out for the rest of the time and she turned out to be really cool. My goal wasn’t to get there and find bff’s.  I wanted to challenge myself to be uncomfortable and walk away meeting at least one new person. Once I accomplished that it was liberating. I was like Yes, I did it!

 

I mean, I meet new people all the time and have no problem interacting with others, but this was

different.  Networking can be scary and just getting out the door can be the hardest part.  Once that’s done, the rest is easy peasy; or it can be. She and I exchanged numbers and we’ve met up at other meet-up groups we’re both part of.  It’s a budding friendship. Of course I still want to get out and meet as many people as I can, but for now I’ll take it one meet-up at a time.

 

Have you ever participated in a meet-up or did something like it? How did it go? Let’s talk about it! As always keep it Fabulously Informal!