Not art related, but - a request of my own.
By
Aaron123,
Posted on: 2007-01-05 14:09 in Multi-Media Fan Creations
I would start by getting a half bottle of vodka, mixing it with whatever took my fancy that night and heading out to my favourite club where I would then simply be so drunk I'd talk to people.
But you're in America, I am sure there are lots of people local to you who are interested in similar things you are. YOu just need to take that first step. The rest should be relatively easy.
Of course this is coming from someone who's become increasingly reclusive as of late, but I'm old, I'm allowed to, dammit.
Also, love the pose on the pic!
I've been there before. Pretty much everytime I change duty stations, I have to go through this period of...hmm...I dunno. Kinda like being depressed. It's just me not knowing anybody around me. I've gotta make all new friends while still keeping in touch with the old ones that I had to leave behind.
Actually, I'm going through the same thing, right now. Where I'm currently stationed, all my buddies have left. Some have gotten deployed to Iraq and others have finished their training and have gone to new duty stations...leaving me here to make new friends.
I tend to just try to get out. Malls, book stores, concerts...takes time sometimes, and a little luck, but you can meet some pretty cool people that way...toughest part is finding something to talk to a complete stranger about. Hell, even if you don't meet anybody or make any new friends, atleast you got out, ya know!? Sometimes ya just gotta do that.
In any case, Squirrel, I wish you luck. PM me if ya need anything. 
Oh! To make this post relevent to our wonderful little forum here:
Check this awesome pic of my toon, Kamera ,that Alex drew for me! 
What do you like? Do something related to that. Maybe art classes? Uh... gaming nights? Anime conventions?
Something like that.
What Foo said. Go out and do things that you're interested in, only in group-form. Meet people who like the same stuff.
When you meet some people, maybe introduce them to City of Heroes. Then you can giggle together pointing at people going "lol n00b!" and everyone will think you're weird but it's okay 'cause you're weird with friends.
Hopefully Mist you are close enough to places and people where you can enjoy those types of activities that you enjoy. I'm currently stuck in a city that has very little in the way of the sorts of things I enjoy. I would move to Vancouver if I could afford to, but things are too expensive there for someone living off of a disability pension. Anyway, just trying to relate some of my personal experiences to the conversation. I don't want anyone to think that I'm just talking about me, because I know I give off that impression far too often.
Anyway, I agree you should just get out and do the things you love doing, but try doing them in a group setting. Just be yourself and have fun. Trying to fit in and trying to be someone your not to attract people who probably wouldn't like the real you is not the way to go. Just be yourself and have fun and when people see that then they are more likely to want to join in.
alot of what other people said...and dont worry the art community will act more as a family than other sections of the forums...none of that "this doesnt belong here" stuff...well most of us wont say it....
Don't drink if you know you're depressed. That is most DEFINITELY not the answer. Believe me I've been there.
*hugs for squirrel* well we love ya anyways
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Don't drink if you know you're depressed. That is most DEFINITELY not the answer. Believe me I've been there.
*hugs for squirrel* well we love ya anyways
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Even worse if your on medication.
We're all your friends, Squirrel.
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What do you like? Do something related to that. Maybe art classes? Uh... gaming nights? Anime conventions?
Something like that.
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I was going to say something similar. Lots of people do hobbies, and that's a good way to connect with others.
Although the dilemma isn't something I personally share, being an INTJ and all. The less contact I have with people, the better. When I saw Castaway, I thought, "Ah, solitude." Sure, I'd miss my wife, but I'd be hard-pressed to bring myself to get off the island.
The Alt Alphabet ~ OPC: Other People's Characters ~ Terrific Screenshots of Cool ~ Superhero Fiction
I'm almost always on AIM if you want someone to talk to.
As am i! Always on
Been there... and if it wasn't for some really compassionate people I'd probably STILL be there.
Mist, keep an eye on the Player Events section - often there are 'face to face' meets going on, and as I recall, quite a few of them are just south of you... quite a few of us are in the Great State o Texas.
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
(QR)
If there's a comic, game or video game store (or heck, an "arcade"... anyone have those any more?) ask if you can put up an ad for like, art or book meetings. Try and find a tabletop group. Get to a library or something, if there's a lack of good bookstores or something in your area and post a notice for light social activities, book discussion groups and such.
If there's a place which has stuff that you like to buy at it, very likely there are *others* who like that stuff too. That's one big way to get into a group with similar interests. I dont know if you have a church group or whatever (I don't care for religion myself, but you never know) that'd be a different angle.
College campuses, coffee houses and internet cafe's are all nice places to find people who will be a bit better than a bar-crawling crowd.
Myself, I have a tabletop group which I've horribly neglected for a year. I keep trying to get back into it but actually I *don't* like social contact all that much. I like working my shell station job 3 days a week and that's about as much talking to real people as I can stomach. But sometimes it's nice to get out there and see a movie with a rowdy bunch of friends, or go out for coffee and stay up late gaming.
Please read my FEAR/Portal/HalfLife Fan Fiction!
Repurposed
I'm in the same boat right now. Over the last several years all of my friends ended up moving out of state for one reason or another. I didn't worry about it much because I still had my wife and daughter, but now we're getting divorced. So, I don't have any advice for you, but I wanted to let you know that you aren't alone in this.
your = Belonging to you.
you're = Contraction meaning "You are."
Ur = The name of an ancient Mesopotamian city.
ur = This is not a word.
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Don't drink if you know you're depressed. That is most DEFINITELY not the answer. Believe me I've been there.
*hugs for squirrel* well we love ya anyways
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I second this. While popular culture likes to tell us that the best place to meet new people is in clubs and bars, I wouldn't go down that route alone if you're feeling depressed. Alcohol and depression don't mix.
I have a similar situation. I suffer from severe agoraphobia with panic attacks and depression and am actually classified as paranoid. And no I don't wear a strait jacket or live in a padded cell.
Hobby groups and classes are a good way to meet people who have similar interests to you. Reaching out to your family and family friends can also get something started for you (if it's safe to do so).
Public places like libraries, museums, art galleries and other community places is also an option to meet other people, as isvolunteer work in agencies that specialize in interacting and/or helping other people.
If none of that appeals I recommend travel to cure the blues. Depending on what you can afford, an OE (Overseas Experience) can be the best medicine for feeling down. You go to new places, meet new people and do interesting things. It can be fun as well as educational. And if you don't like traveling on your own, there are also package group tours etc.
One final word of advice. If you are depressed, then please go seek medical advice. I don't know what the social stigma of having depression is like in the US, but here there is a concerted effort to help people realized that depression is a very real problem for normal people. (1 in 5 people in New Zealand suffer some form of depression during their life).
Here's hoping you tame the black dog. It doesn't happen overnight, believe me, but you can learn to live with it, and work around its limitations.
Oh and exercise. You may hate it (I know I do), but exercise does help with depression and those lovely endorphins your body makes can do wonders for your state of mind.
*big furry hug from a kiwi* As they say down here, "She'll be right, mate."
and if you want to IM, I'm available like all the other good folk who have posted here.
Yah, I second volunteering and doing stuff you like in groups. Example: I was pretty down when I first started singing, cuz guys don't make many friends when they sing constantly. I joined a local choir though, and I've made SO many friendships that have and will last a long time. Go out and do stuff you like, say hi to people, start conversations. Good luck to you man. You can always count on us (well, at least me, I know) if ya' need anything. Just hollah
P.S. I also have IM... If ya wanna' chat, I'll PM you my IM address =)
Scarf_Girl�s Official Kid Brother!
I got an AIM, Hidden Flash. Just ask if you want me to get on. 
I'm not on usually, so, yeah, heh. 
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Oh and exercise. You may hate it (I know I do), but exercise does help with depression and those lovely endorphins your body makes can do wonders for your state of mind.
[/ QUOTE ]I told you to get that Nintendo Wii, mist! 
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Oh and exercise. You may hate it (I know I do), but exercise does help with depression and those lovely endorphins your body makes can do wonders for your state of mind.
[/ QUOTE ]I told you to get that Nintendo Wii, mist!
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*Sits down*
*Slightly moves wrist to play*
Just an FYI for all y'all, Mist is a boy. Just sayin'.
The Alt Alphabet ~ OPC: Other People's Characters ~ Terrific Screenshots of Cool ~ Superhero Fiction
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Just an FYI for all y'all, Mist is a boy. Just sayin'.
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I know he's male.. He's also not a kid, FYI.
Doh! My AIM is OfTheEarth23, btw.
So I'm the only one who uses Windows Live Messenger?
Ok so I've been thinking alot lately.
More specifically, over the last couple days I realized - when I joke about having absolutely no social life... I'm not joking. More to the point - its not a lack of a social life - its a lack of *social contact*.
This forum, the game - and my best friend in Oklahoma are my only non-relative social contact in the world. Up until last night - I thought that was fine with me.
Going to say something now: No, I'm not going all 'emo' here or anything, though I suspect jokes will come to said effect shortly.
No what I'm asking is this - what would you all do, if you needed to find a way just to get out and meet people? Just in general? I mean literally - we're talking about a person who hasn't really talked to anyone outside of daily business encounters in probably 2 years - and very rarely in the past 5.
This isn't a cry for attention (I can get plenty of interweb attention just being myself, for better or worse) - but I'm starting to realize "Hell I miss being around people in the real world".
I'm sorry if this sounds incredibly stupid - but I really am quite serious; I'll be blunt, I had literally every friendship I have ever had collapse on me or otherwise end very poorly up until the friends I've made on the internet - and I think I've felt safe here because the little X is always close at hand. Too much safety.
To put it all very simply:
I'm lonely, it's making me depressed, and I have absolutely nowhere else to go for advice because *this is all I have*. I have too many other issues to talk to with my counselor to fit this one in because it's a relatively new one.
And just to make sure this is relevant to the forum so it won't get modded:
The dragon is growing. He's lonely too. With arrows.
Try not to laugh too much - I know it's easy to look and say "hah what a loser' - it's the truth; but I am trying to change at any rate. I'll never be normal nor do I wish to be - but a hermetic lifestyle is not for me I think.
Any help is appreciated. I'm going to attempt to get some much needed sleep now; and will be back later - thank you all again in advance and I'm sorry for the incredible oddness of this post; especially given the section - but this is the only place I trust with me feelings more than a quarter-inch, and the forums are the only place I have to go. (I asked my best friend as well - but I need many opinions so... other than her... well I've come to know and like you all quite a bit. I like to think we're all friends at least in an extended long-distance way; or at least that people here don't hate me hehe)
A Warrior's Friend: ID 335212 - Help Infernal save Valkyrie from Battle Maiden.
Above Mars Part 1: The Wellington: ID 159769 - Save Mars by destroying a monstrous battleship from the inside!
>.> My DA page, where I attempt to art.