Summer 2011 Update

Okay so it's been quite a long time since I've written one of these. I've been meaning to for awhile, but haven't really had the time. I guess here's a quick rundown

1) Beach Volleyball
I've always liked playing volleyball, but never really had the time for it. But I was so sick and tired of doing the same thing, that it was time (actually way overdue) to mix things up. I haven't met a whole new group of people where I didn't know anybody for a really long time. It's quite an intimidating situation to be in. I figured I'll try it once, if it's terrible, then what's the big deal, it's only one night. The people were really cool and now I'm doing it a few times a week. The people are way better than the people at badminton. Okay that's not really true, it's more that they're different. I mean a whole bunch of asian guys sitting around a gym, yeah you guys are cool and all, but it's no beach full of a variety of people. On that note...

2) No More Badminton
Oh man, I can't begin to describe how sick of badminton I am. While I owe plenty to the sport, I just can't keep playing. Maybe in the winter I will change my mind, but there's only so much you can talk about with middle aged people or fresh grads/students.

3) Goodbye Internet Dating
Yeah, I'm done with that I think for awhile. I admit that I did try it just once recently with mediocre results, but since the spring, I've decided to give it a rest. I really don't think it's for me. There's just something unnatural about meeting somebody from a dating site. For those who it has worked for, congratulations to you, but it's just not for me.

4) Hello Real World Dating
So this is a new one. On a few occasions is "real life", I've encountered women who I've struck up a conversation with. But I have yet to pull the trigger on actually asking for a phone number or a date. I know I have to make this leap for it to actually go anywhere, but for now I'm satisfied with baby steps. Not so new discovery, the supermarket is an awesome place to meet people.

5) It's like 90210/Melrose Place/The OC/Dawson's Creek
Jumping into new social circles comes with its variety of situations. It's an interesting perspective as an outsider, you get to observe and see people interact. What relationships are what, how people are and perhaps what their intentions might be. My guess is that most people are single, because if you're not, how would you have the time to spend 3-4 nights at the beach? Plus you see it in the interactions, people are trying to pick up other people, some are more obvious than others. You can tell who isn't single, because you see them with much less frequency. It's like a real life soap opera.

6) Dating With Kids
On more than one occasion now, I've encountered women with kids. They were very interesting, and we had a great time talking, but once the "K" word came along, dum dum dum! I'm still not sure what to do with this one. I really am not in a stage in my life where I can see jumping into daddy mode anytime soon. And it would be very unfair to sell that to somebody. But I can't help but think to myself whether or not I might be missing out on somebody who could be amazing.

7) Politics/Power Tripping
This jump into a new social circle has also made me see again how the world is made up of different people. I'm completely surprised by the amount of politics there are in the beach volleyball scene. It really brings out the not so hidden agendas of people.

It's like using the ownership of the beach vball net as a form of social currency. First of all, I get that it's your net and it's really up to you how things are run, but the power trip that goes along with it isn't necessary. Doesn't make you fucking king of the world. Second of all, girls fall for this shit? If so, then as a gender, you're not "smarter" than how it is sometimes portrayed.

Then of course there are the suck ups, the peons, the minions, it's retarded. I'm completely blown away how quickly somebody is willing to kiss ass.

8) Priority Shakedown
I really do believe in life going in close to 5 year cycles, where there's a huge transition based on changing situations and needs/priorities. When I first started this blog, I think I wrote that I felt as if I was right at the beginning of a new one. I can see how it's changing in other people as well. I find myself talking less with my best friend. I'm pretty sure a lot of that has to do with our differing priorities and viewpoints on things. For the last few months, he's been complaining to me about how the guys in his group of friends (whom a couple have become my friends), have been drifting away. So for awhile I felt bad about it, but at the same time I'm also not sorry either.

Recently I've taken up golfing with a bunch of them, spending 4 hours on a course with people, you get to know them pretty well. And I've kind of come up with what's been happening. People are growing and changing, all going through that shift around the same time, but in different ways. This made me feel better for a couple reasons.

First is that, it's that everybody is changing, and it's not on purpose that people are drifting apart. It just happens, and there's nothing wrong with that. Then once everybody settles, then your social situation realigns to other people who are in the same boat. It only makes sense.

Second is that it's up to each individual to choose whether to move on, or to complain. Nobody is going to be sorry that their lives are changing, nor should they have to.