fun things i have done lately, part 1

[erf_]

Yes, I do occasionally leave the house, or do things other than make stuff. Sometimes. On occasion. Every now and then.

Last week I met theotherbaldwin in person! It's weird; I've known him through the Internet for over twelve years, longer than I've known most of my closest friends, and he used to live less than an hour's drive from me, but we'd never seen each

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[erf_]

I have gone as far as going drinking with homeless people, although that's something I wish most people would do more often, lonely or not. Some of the saner homeless I've met are the only people in the city I know who might be lonelier than me. It's hard staying friends with them because, being homeless, they never stay in one place for long. But some of them have a favorite supermarket or Burger King to panhandle in front of, and having them greet you by name as you drop some money in their cup or share a sandwich with them--it means something. It really does.

It's funny you mention Buddhism--I'm not a Buddhist myself, but the thought has crossed my mind that my current lifestyle is the worst imaginable fate for a Buddhist. Surrounded by unfulfilled desire (for food, work, money, company), in an environment in which austerity is impossible and pure quiet is a myth, eating copious amounts of meat and butter...

Not cooking is bad. Not cooking means not eating, or having to eat out. I have the same problem.

I, too, find that writing and coding and work leave little time for social activities, but, well, which came first, the chicken or the egg? I started all these projects because I had so much time on my hands and was having no success making friends. Now I have to be mindful that they do not get in the way of me actually getting a life. If I ever do get a life.

Libraries are the saddest place to try to meet people because they're full of other introverts, some who may be reading books you like, but you can't talk to them because shh, this is a library. And readings at bookstores are a great place to meet introverts, and I'm immensely thankful for them, but for some reason the people who like the books I read are all in their thirties and forties, or are small groups of amazing, vivacious, intelligent women who give each other this "is this guy seriously trying to talk to me, who the hell does he think he is" look when I try to talk to them.

I want a relationship, but first I want to be friends. Is that too much to ask, New York?