MeetUp…part 2

Last Sunday, I wrote about the twisted experience I had with MeetUp.   It’s now a distant memory, ,but I did want to share my actual “in person” MeetUp activity.  

I received an invitation from the 60s and Single group for a happy hour gathering at a local restaurant/bar, Jags, for the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.   There was a limited number of people allowed (25), I had nothing to do that night, so I signed up.   It was time to step out of my comfort zone.   Now, I was committed!   Oh...and I knew that Jags bar was a pick up place so worst case scenario, I'd sit at the bar and have some conversation or at least check it out.  

After work on that Tuesday, I stopped at home and got myself all cute and ready to meet some new people!   As I was driving to Jags, I was tempted to just turn around and not go…All of a sudden, I wasn’t feeling so brave. 

I pulled up to the door and had the valet park for me.   I walked in and the young hostess escorted me to the area for the MeetUp group.   Moving through the bar, there were less than a dozen people hanging out...it was the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, so probably not the hot spot I expected.  

As I approached, I found the long table with about 20 people to be fairly quiet.   I took a deep breath, opened my arms and proclaimed, “A NEW MEMBER HAS ARRIVED!”  OMG!  Did I really do that?  Well, yes I did.   Picture it, a peacock personality, making her entrance!   As they all turned to look (ummm….stare) at me, they invited me to take a seat.  

I took a seat on one side of the long table, next to an older man, with a head full of white hair that looked like he had taken a nap before he came (one side of his hair totally looked like bed head) and when I sat down, he spoke immediately to me.   He was hard to understand and right away, I thought maybe he had experienced a stroke.  As he started conversation with me, he seemed intent on my college life...where did I go to college?  did I get a degree?   what was my major?  was I a Louisville or Kentucky fan?  when did I graduate?   All of these questions required me to listen intently as he was very difficult to understand. It was a lot of work.  Finally, someone else started talking to me.

Across from me was a lovely woman who was also there for the first time.   I introduced myself to the 3 other people near me and ordered a martini…STAT!

I made small talk with the people around me although it was clear that the group was much older than me. MUCH older than me!    I was one of the few people there that was still working…most were retired.  Most had hearing aids or needed hearing aids so they spoke louder than me (imagine that?!?).  While they were talking about their travels, I was talking about my Gala.  We ordered appetizers and more drinks and continued to chat.   Soon, one by one, the guests were leaving.  

One guest arrived a little late and apologized as he had just come from dialysis (he was attractive and looked great for someone who had just had treatment!) but he wanted to eat so before ordering, he asked if anyone was sticking around.   Well, who were we to leave the patient alone?   There were 4 women and dialysis man left behind to chat.   

The conversation went to the Thanksgiving holiday and what we were all doing…traveling, cooking, going out, baking, etc…After telling the group that I was going to Pittsburgh and taking a few items, the cute woman across from me said, “I’m taking my gun!”  WHAAAAAAAAAAAAATTTT?    Dialysis  man said, “Wow…tough crowd!”   I said, “That's funny…are you serious?”   She said she was absolutely serious.   Family dynamics during the holidays demanded a gun, she told us.    Then, she asked me, “Do you have a gun?”   I laughed and told her no…I would become a statistic by shooting myself in the foot or shooting my friend.   Very seriously, she said, “Oh honey, a single woman like you needs a gun…now!”   The other woman next to me agreed.   These two started talking about glocks, 45s, and other gun speak.  My head was spinning.   

These women kept insisting that I go to a class to be educated, then they would take me to the shooting range and let me use one of their guns.  They knew that I might be afraid to go alone...They were right, I was afraid, but not about going alone!  

I thanked them and said I would let them know if I decided to do so but declined the offer at that time.   Then, I said, under my breath, I called on the only "gun lingo" I knew and asked,  “Are you packing now?”  The answer was a resounding yes from the two women sitting closest to me.   OMG!!!  Check please!!!

I told all of them that it was a pleasure to meet them and maybe we’d see each other at another MeetUp.  As I got back into my car, I started laughing…like uncontrollably laughing!   I couldn’t believe what had transpired the last 2+ hours.   Senior citizens packing heat at a social gathering at a bar, for people who are over 60 and single.   

Although the night wasn’t a total waste, I’m pretty sure I won’t be going back to that group.  

Walking into a restaurant bar alone, wasn’t too bad.   Meeting new people wasn’t bad at all, but I think I should be in a younger group…or maybe I’m in denial that I belong in that group!   I learned that I’m not afraid to try another group.   This was definitely a learning experience and everyday...I learn something new!  

Before I leave, here's another online dating vocabulary word...Curving

Evidently, getting "curved" is a little easier to bear than a full-out rejection.   Curving refers to the time when someone turns down your advances, but doesn't do it in a direct way.   For example, someone coming to give you a kiss, and you turn (or curve) to make sure the kiss lands on your cheek, and not your lips.  With online dating, curving may keep the options of a connection open, even if you aren't really interested.