Polite Paradise

hotdogs. When I was a kid I had the leukemia and apparently all I would eat was hotdogs and catsup. Until recently (many many years later) I just barely will eat them. Still prefer Brats instead but can stomach a hot dog. Especially from a vendor when I am tipsy (Yay Seattle Dog. With a brat)

I basically only will eat pizza with pineapple. My favorite is a combo pizza with tons of pineapple

I don't really care for movies or music (which is very weird in my group and with dating). I like certain songs and such but hate going to shows. Movies, I will go as a social thing but could take or leave the movie itself.

Don't really like the Beatles or Elvis

I am not a big fan of Star Wars and think Harry Potter is WAY overrated. I read all the books and saw most of the movies but still think it sucks.

My friend used to live at a place that overlooked the lake where my city does its fire works so we always had a party there. I usually got to be the hostess as I was dating him at the time and he didn't do much. Unfortunately, he moved and now we all just flounder. I'm pretty sure I'm going to skip it this year as I'll have to work the next day anyway. 

Hi All,

I was hoping you could be creative for me. My friend is graduating college and I wanted to get him a little somethin somethin. The thing is, he is pretty old.  Well older than most college grads (over 40) and pretty established in life. I wanted to get something that was reminiscent of what  you would  get a high schooler but grown up version ( for some reason I think that idea is funny but it's probably not).

Any ideas before I get him a gift card to some crappy chain restaurant  he likes?

Forest Gump. The absolute worst book I have ever read. I love the movie but the book was just awful. It was so awful I almost have suggested it for my bookclub so everyone can agree how awful it is. Or I can verify my friend's terrible taste.

Honorable mention is Stepford Wives.  When the afterword explaining the book is longer than the actual book, something seems wrong.

You already have some good options lined up, so definitely go for those.  Also, while I understand that being shy can be a hindrance, have you considered that maybe someone else out there is looking to make a friend and, like you, is just looking for someone to make the first move?

I'm not familiar with Bumble BFF, mentioned in your OP, but what do you have to lose?  Try it and if it doesn't work out, at least you know.  Meetup is another great option.

Also, this might sound strange, but do you have a dog and/or in a place where you can get one?  Dog owners seem to bond almost instantaneously.  Whenever we take our dogs out with us, it never fails that some other family with a dog approaches us for a conversation.  You can take your dog to the dog park, the pet store, classes, etc and meet other dog owners.   You automatically have something in common with them and dogs have a way of breaking awkwardness.

I do have a cat but she isn't super helpful. She does help me pick out outfits though. I am always a hit when I dogsit my sister's dog but unfortunatly he is nto the greatest about bringing places.  I do need to buck up and make the first move.

Thanks again all!

Not sure where this should go so, here it is

This came to a head today when no one wanted to do anything for Memorial Day. I hate summer holidays. I have been discovering lately that I do not have enough friends for my liking. Besides three of them (one being my ex, another being my sister) they aren't the type of people you just call up to do things. We maybe hang out once every other month for ghost hunting or some such.

Ok enough rambling and to the point. How do you make friends as a grown up?? Work isn't really an option as people in my group aren't the type to want to do anything outside of work (I've tried).

I'm not what people think of as shy but I do get nervous about doing things on my own. I tried Bumble BFF but not sure really how that will work out. I don't have many hobbies that translate to this friend thing.

Advice?