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Making meaningful connections in today's modern world can be challenging. With so many of us immersed in digital devices like computers and phones, it can be easy to feel isolated and disconnected from those around us. That doesn't have to be the case, though; there are still plenty of opportunities for meeting people online and offline if you put yourself out there! In this blog post, we'll share five ideas that will make meeting new people simpler than ever!
Expand Your Social Circle
Join A Local Meetup Group
Joining a local meetup group can be an ideal way to meet people with similar interests and expand your social circle. By signing up for one, you can find events tailored towards hobbies or career goals or even simple activities like board gaming. Not to mention being immersed in an environment full of people who share similar values, beliefs and interests. Conversations can easily happen between like-minded people while making valuable connections and learning new skills; ultimately, joining one could provide the perfect way to build relationships and discover passions!
Register For A Local Sports League Or Recreational Activity
Are you searching for an exciting and healthy way to stay active this season? Look no further than your local sports league or recreational activity centre! No matter your skill or ability level, there is sure to be something perfect for you in recreational sports - from organized team sports like soccer and basketball, yoga and dance classes and individual pursuits like salsa dancing available, plus signing up is a great way to meet new people while becoming more involved with the community! Don't wait; start exploring this fantastic world of recreational sports!
Examine Online Forums And Social Media Websites
Today's digital world makes finding people who share similar interests easy, and online forums and social media sites provide excellent ways to meet like-minded individuals. From discussing favourite TV shows to finding workout buddies, online forums provide ample opportunities for finding people with shared passions; it might just make some lifelong friendships along the way! So put yourself out there and start connecting with individuals who share your interests; who knows, maybe there will even be someone for whom it all starts now. If you're looking to meet a romantic partner, then consider using the best dating app online.
Join A Local Community College
Deciding to further your education is both admirable and exciting. Although the prospect of furthering it may be daunting, taking classes at your local community college or university may provide the ideal solution. Not only are community colleges typically more affordable than larger institutions, they often feature smaller class sizes allowing for improved interaction with others in your class. Striking up a conversation before or after classes is a great old-school way of meeting people.
Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
Breaking out of routine can be challenging, but it is worth your while. One way to begin is by attending public events like art shows or concerts. These experiences can be exhilarating and provide fresh perspectives on life and opportunities to meet others who show similar interests. Stepping outside your comfort zone means accepting something unfamiliar, which can be both scary and exhilarating all at the same time.
Finding new connections doesn't need to follow the traditional path; with the right approach, you can make finding and developing relationships easier than ever. With so many choices at your disposal, it should be easy to locate one or several that suit your individual needs. There are endless possibilities awaiting those willing to break free from conventional expectations and embrace modern ways of connecting with one another.
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Take advantage of the sun this summer and live your life to the fullest. Continue reading to learn about some fun types of parties that you could host.
Boat Parties Are A Timeless Luxury That Everyone WIll Love
If anything, the last year has taught us to live in the moment and enjoy life as much as we can. We are all looking forward to getting back to partying and seeing all our friends and family. This summer will be celebrated bigger and better than ever before, and we will celebrate everything we can, in the most creative and fabulous ways. There is so much to celebrate with weddings, birthdays, and holidays coming up, so you definitely won't want to miss out. It's time to take advantage of the sun and live life to the fullest.
Go With The Classic Garden Party
One thing we will certainly enjoy is having garden parties again. With barbecues, friends, and cocktails alongside kids playing around happily laughing and creating new memories to last a lifetime. Garden parties are great, especially if you're nervous about mixing in large groups again after the pandemic. You can limit yourself to a number of people. Have over as much as you feel comfortable, and all enjoy the comfort of your own home. So if things get too much, you can take a quick break indoors and then go back to the festivities once you feel better. To throw a fabulous garden party, it is best to include barbecues of delicious food, some mood lighting like fairy lights hanging outside, and making sure you have enough seating for everyone attending. If you have kids coming along to the party, make sure there are some things for them to do like play equipment, for example, swings and slides. You can even set up a little craft table and give them something creative to make that they can take home with them. You can also make your party stand out by having a signature cocktail that you made yourself. Or you can go one step further and just have a cocktail-making kit available, so people can experiment and mix their own drinks.
Themed Nights Are Always A Hit
You can't go wrong with a theme night. Everyone loves getting dressed up and getting involved in the occasion. With a themed party, there is so much that you can do, like the 80s, fancy dress, neon, black and white party and even something like a film night where you come dressed as your favorite character from a popular film within your friend group or family. Theme nights are really easy to throw, as when you have a theme, there's so much that you can research and find online. You are able to find certain recipes for appetizers that go with certain themes as well as decor, balloons, and anything else that you need to throw together. These types of parties can be great for bachelor parties, birthdays, and anything else you want to celebrate.
You Can't Go Wrong With A Boat Party
Boat parties are timeless and luxurious as everyone will look forward to them as it is something different and not a lot of people have attended boar parties. Show off your hosting skills by throwing a party on a boat this summer to come back with a bang. With the warm weather, the smell of the sea air, and the option to jump in the sea for a quick swim, if you fancy and have your bikini prepared, then you can't go wrong. It will give such a luxurious feel to your party, and everyone will want to come. They will also be talking about it for a long time after. These types of parties are great for things like bachelorette parties, birthday parties, or wedding anniversaries. By having a boat party, you can drink under the stars as well as take advantage of beautiful beaches nearby. It doesn't have to be the only thing that you do that night. You can pair it with something like an escape room or even an evening show to make a night of it. Then it's onto a party under the stars until the sun comes up. Try something like Lagerhead Cycleboats to book your party.
Brave A Beach Party
By having a party on the beach, your options are endless. You can do something fun like volleyball and watersports. Pair that with mixing with your friends and family and then going into the evening with drinks. Or you can even do something more classic like a bonfire, roasting marshmallows, catching up, and enjoying each other's company again with some lovely cocktails and beers on hand. IIf you have a beach party, you don't have to worry about numbers as you won't be in a crowded space. You've got a whole beach to enjoy and set up how you want the party to be. You can take a dip in the ocean at any point if it's hot. There will also be food vendors nearby and ice cream parlors nearby, so if you run out of food, there's going to be plenty around. You will also not have to worry about outfits too much as most people be in swimwear and sundresses.
Make Your Own Pizza Party
If you aren't sure about crowds and don't really want to be in big groups with everything that has gone on, you can do something simple like make your own pizza party. This is where you get the supplies to make pizza, dough, marinara sauce, and cheese and then have lots of different options for toppings available. It's a really creative and engaging night as everyone will be getting involved. They will roll out the dough, but what they want on the pizza, and then all you need to do is cook it. It's also great for kids to get involved in, so if you have friends with kids, you can have it as a play date party to help them mix and create social bonds. All while you are having fun. Then to make it more interesting for the adults, add in some cocktails and wine, and you're good to go.
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Would you like to find your high school or college friends? Continue reading to learn ways you can connect again and maybe restart your friendship.
Every now and then, it’s fairly normal to feel a little nostalgic about your high school or college days. You might remember the days you spent with your friends, the holidays that you enjoyed together, and also the bittersweet memories of having to say goodbye to them. Perhaps you moved away to another city and lost contact, or perhaps there were other circumstances that led you to drift apart. Whatever the circumstances were, there’s no reason why you can’t try to reconnect with them.
So instead of trying to avoid Facebook, how about we make use of its features to find our high school friends and college buddies? In this post, we’re going to talk about how you can find and reconnect with your old friends and maybe even family members that you’ve lost contact with.
So instead of trying to avoid Facebook, how about we make use of its features to find our high school friends and college buddies? In this post, we’re going to talk about how you can find and reconnect with your old friends and maybe even family members that you’ve lost contact with.
A Quick Facebook Search Could Lead You To Your Friend
In most cases, a quick Facebook search will help you find them
Most of the time, you can get away with just using a quick Facebook search to find the person you’re looking for. This is obviously much easier if you know their full name and some of their history. Many people on Facebook will list the places they’ve worked or studied at, and they’ll also include some pictures. You can start these kinds of searches by just typing in the name. For example, you can search for Katherine Marraccini if that’s the name of your friend or family member, then you’ll be given a bunch of different results. Of course, there are likely multiple people with the same name, so you’ll need to look at the different results and try to compare them to see which one could be your friend.
However, these days, not everyone is using Facebook. In fact, a lot of millennials and younger people might not actually use Facebook. In some cases, they might have an account or be listed on Facebook, but they might not actually use their account. So in this case, what can you do? What’s another option to help you find your friends and family members?
Consider checking LinkedIn instead of Facebook
Another social media platform to check instead of Facebook is LinkedIn. This is very similar to Facebook, but the difference is that it’s geared towards industry professionals. There are plenty of people that don’t use Facebook but will have a LinkedIn account because it can help them find a job and creates a professional portfolio.
On LinkedIn, you’ll typically find a history of where they’ve worked and studied. However, if it’s been a while since you’ve met, then you might not recognise them from the information alone. LinkedIn usually doesn’t have many photographs of people, but you can usually work out if they’re the right person from their description and location.
You can also check other social media platforms if you can’t find them, but LinkedIn and Facebook are the most common platforms to help you reconnect with old friends and family members. If you can’t find the people you’re looking for, then it may help to search for someone that could know their whereabouts, such as old colleagues and classmates.
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Read 4 tips on how to have the best possible backyard tailgate party in 2020
If this was any normal Fall, families everywhere are going to gather around for football season. 2020 is a little different, but that doesn't mean that you can’t have all your usual traditions with Fall fun for friends and families! There may not be as intense a football season this year, but you can still enjoy the change of the leaves and the cooling temperatures!
Parties in the Fall are part of the season, and one of the most important traditions is a backyard tailgate party! You could go for generic frozen pizzas and beer, but it really depends what you want for your event. So, with that in mind, we’ve got four tips for the best possible backyard tailgate party you could have this year!
Parties in the Fall are part of the season, and one of the most important traditions is a backyard tailgate party! You could go for generic frozen pizzas and beer, but it really depends what you want for your event. So, with that in mind, we’ve got four tips for the best possible backyard tailgate party you could have this year!
Have Your Party Outside
- Start up a projector in the backyard and have a movie or a game screened on the side of the house. You can lay out picnic blankets and huge beanbags and just snuggle down and relax in front of something fun to watch. Being outside in the crisp air while watching a game or show is part of the experience, and if you decide to light a fire for everyone to sit beside and keep warm, observe safety while you have one!
- Okay, so you can have those generic pizzas and beers, but why do you want to be generic? Choose tailgate party catering instead. You can still have people bring along their favorite homemade chilli, but catering your backyard party takes off the stress from your shoulders. You can still bring out a tray of ingredients to make s’mores, too! Have fun with your friends and have a competition for who brings the tastiest dessert!
- Games are so much fun during outdoor parties, and you can add some fun to the event you’re hosting with outdoor activities. You can warm everyone up with a “sports day” theme if the football season isn't as active as usual. Get lawn darts, cornhole and other outdoor relay races and bowling set up. If you want to go one better and set up giant chess on the lawn!
- Beer is the drink of choice for a tailgate party, but you can get creative with the drinks that you serve and mix it up a little. Serve soft drinks in jugs and get the crockpots going with hot chocolate inside the house. People can ladle themselves a mug of hot chocolate as they please and have some fun with it, too.
No matter what you do with your backyard tailgate party, make it as fun as possible for your guests. Always observe the current rules regarding the pandemic in your neighborhood, and you will ensure that everyone is safe and healthy. Provide your guests with masks and hand sanitizer to go one better and make sure that everyone is comfortable and happy. Your backyard tailgate party is going to be one of the best things that you plan this year, and it won’t take too long to get sorted if you start now!
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Read more to discover where you can find support when you need it.
Having A Strong Support Network Is Important In Life
For most people around the world, life will never be a breeze. You will have to work hard to keep yourself fed and sheltered, could easily find yourself in trouble if you don’t follow the rules, and may even just have bad things happen to you. Of course, though, you need some hardship to be able to enjoy the good things in life. A strong support network can make all the difference when it comes to disregarding the bad and embracing the good, and there are loads of people around you that can fall into this category.
Family & Friends
The people who love and care about you will always be willing to provide support when you’re going through a rough time. While it can feel like talking to people like this will put an unfair burden on them, people will usually be more than happy to accept this to be able to help someone they love. You can talk about anything you want with your family members and friends, but it’s worth making sure that you’re not making them feel worried about you. People will more life experience than you will often be able to offer a surprising amount of insight into issues that could be extremely hard for you to cope with on your own.
Professionals
There are a lot of professional support services on the market, and they come in a huge variety of shapes and sizes. You can find therapists that will be able to help you to deal with the emotional side of your problems, using their expertise to find the cause of the issues you have. Alternatively, though, you could also find direct support for the problems you’re having. For example, a professional divorce attorney like Brown Dahan will be able to provide you with loads of help as you go through the process of separating from your partner. Having help like this can make it easier to focus on the emotional side of a problem.
Complete Strangers
Finally, as the last option to consider, it’s time to think about the complete strangers who will be happy to help you as you go through this process. You won’t want to approach strangers in the street with your problems, though there are loads of people online who will be willing to share their time and knowledge to help you to feel better during challenging times. Forums can be a great place for this, and websites like Reddit have been built by people who are looking to help one another. It will take some time for you to find the best place for this, though it can be extremely helpful when you do.
With all of this in mind, you should be feeling ready to take on the challenge of getting help during the tough parts of life. It’s not always easy to keep yourself on the right track, though there are loads of tools and people that can help you with this.
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Have you just moved? Make friends with your neighbors. Read this article to learn how!
Make Friends With Your New Neighbors As Early As Possible
Moving is a long-term process that doesn’t end once you arrive in your new home. After you paid for long-distance movers you hired, you now have to work on creating healthy relationships with your neighbors. These individuals can significantly affect the quality of your life, which is why you should befriend them as early as possible.
Contrary to popular belief, making friends in a new neighborhood isn’t tough. There are actually a lot of strategies that can help you accomplish this task. As long as you’re willing and pour in time with your efforts, it won’t be long before the entire neighborhood becomes your buddies!
Here are some easy tips for you to make friends in a new neighborhood:
1. Greet Your Neighbors On The First Day
You’ll have to accomplish several tasks once you arrive in your new home. Even if you hired professional long-distance moving companies, you still have to unpack all of your moving and decorate your house to make it feel comfortable.
But regardless of how busy you are on this day, don’t forget to greet any neighbor you see in the area. Do you see someone taking their dogs for a walk around the block? Smile and greet them. Is the family living in front of you playing in their yard? Wave and say, “hi.” If you have the chance to talk to them, don’t be afraid to introduce yourself first.
These might be simple gestures, but it can create a positive impression about your personality. If your neighbors see how friendly you are, they will be motivated to know you better.
2. Explore The Community
Moving to a new neighborhood is like starting from scratch. You’ll be unfamiliar with the street names, landmarks, and nearby establishments. This is especially true if you choose to move to another country.
You can adjust faster if you set aside some time to explore the community. When you wake up early in the morning to run around your neighborhood, you’ll have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the area and meet neighbors, as well.
If you see a couple lounging in their patio, inquire where the nearest daycare center, pharmacy, or dog-friendly park is. Aside from knowing more about the community, asking help from your neighbors can also help you gain a lot of friends.
These people might even volunteer to personally show you around the neighborhood if they notice that you and your familiar have zero background on the area.
Invite Your New Neigbours To Attend Events
3. Make Future Plans
Creating meaningful friendships takes time. Meeting someone once doesn’t warrant that the two of you will become the best of friends. More often than not, meetings should be more frequent and fun for you to make friends.
When talking with your neighbors, don’t hesitate to end the conversation with a plan. Instead of merely saying goodbye to your neighbor, let them know that your family is holding a backyard party for the weekend and invite them to come over.
If your kid’s birthday is just around the corner, let them know that you’re hosting a party and hand out invitations to them. This invitation will surely excite your neighbors, especially if they have kids, too.
Making future plans with your neighbors is a great way to cultivate friendships since they are not pressured to make a decision on the spot. And regardless if they’re coming or not, your intent in inviting them will create an impression about how accommodating you are as a new neighbor.
Inviting several neighbors in one event also helps you gain a lot of friends faster. Just make sure that your house or backyard is enough to accommodate all of your new found friends!
You’ll Reap What You Sow
Once you know who your neighbors are, continue to reach out to them so you can foster healthy relationships. Regularly invite them to your house for dinner or have their kids play with your own kids during weekends.
Although tedious, doing all of these things to earn new friends will surely be worth it in the end!
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How valid is your friends breakup advice? Reading this informative post might help you decide.
Consider Advice From Friends Carefully
When you’re struggling and seek help, it’s not uncommon that your friends will want to help you out. This is because they can empathize with you, or perhaps you have filled the same role in their life before. However, just because someone is your friend, it does not mean that they have the best advice to hand in order to help you the most profoundly. They have great intentions, but they may not be completely aware of the situation, or may have bad ideas themselves.
Dispelling certain myths within bad breakup advice might be needed. If you’re here after hearing something similar to this from one of your friends and you want to check just how valid it is, then you’re in the right place. Breakups are never easy. They’re difficult, they can be completely disorienting, but most of all, they can also be quite boring.
To help you with this, we hope our following advice can help you break up said myths and revert back to your best self. You deserve it:
‘Rampant Intimacy Will Help You Get Over Them’
There are many measures to get over someone. Your friend might suggest that the best method regarding how to get over a girl is to simply by ‘getting under’ someone else. Of course, if you are out of a relationship, you should be free to express your intimate desires in a manner that is enclosed by consent from both parties. However, if you feel as though this is the only way to tend to your emotional wounds, then you’d be wrong and misled. It’s important to note that while this may help, it may not, it depends entirely on how you proceed and where you are at in your stage of recovery.
Do not force yourself to do this if it’s not something you feel comfortable with, or if you’d really rather not. Rampant intimacy might work for some people, but it will hardly take your mind off what happened, and can often simply become an unhealthy coping strategy to try and shield yourself from further pain. It is not difficult to see just how that can be unhealthy and often make things worse.
‘You Need To Be Social 24/7’
When a friend wants you to come out with them every day after a break up, they are caring for you. They do not want to see you laying in bed until 4pm, eating ice cream, crying, and watching Netflix shows. But it’s also important that if you’re really not up to it, you do not feel completely obligated to socialize at all costs. Everyone processes the loss of a relative in different ways, and yes, you will be wounded after it happens. In fact, research has shown that mimicking effects similar to that created by physical pain is seen in the brain during heartache. If you had injured your leg, your friend would not be dragging you out to Five Guys. Instead, they’d let you heal.
While it’s important to be around other people, it’s also important to give yourself some time to process this alone. Do not think this makes you weak. However, do not cut anyone off. It’s this careful timeline that can allow you to grow back into yourself in the best manner possible, as you will not be forced in either direction.
‘You Need To Talk It All Through Now’
You may feel that talking through your problems with clear communication is the best way to start overcoming an issue. If you have that impression, you’re likely wiser than you think. Talking therapy with someone who understands or isn’t there to judge can be a fantastic means of letting out what’s harming you emotionally, and it can work wonders for your soul.
A friend might also know this, and they may wish for you to discuss it right now. They may think that spilling it all out in the moment can be healthy, because perhaps this method worked for them in the past. However, it’s important to note that you are not your friend, and so you might not even know how you feel right now aside from being dazed after the breakup. It’s okay not to have all the answers in the heat of the moment. In fact, giving yourself some time to process this before you decide to talk can be very healthy. A good friend will understand your need for this.
‘Lose Yourself In Self-Improvement’
When you break up with someone, you feel that you are not good enough. Why would this have happened otherwise, you may think. Additionally, the harmful nature of a couple splitting up can sometimes mean your ex-partner decides to insult you or press the buttons they know you are vulnerable to. This can lead you feeling a huge drop in self-confidence, feeling as though you cannot keep anyone or that you have something fundamentally wrong with you.
The first mistake is to accept this set of attitudes. The second mistake is to overcompensate for it. You may dive back to the gym to work out and process your pain through physical suffering, running harder than you ever have, trying to meditate for two hours each date, or lifting weights with enough frequency to bring the overtraining issue to full light. Losing yourself in self-improvement can be a very harmful thing when this happens, because it’s not being done for the right reasons.
By all means attend the gym with your friend. It can really help. But do not overcompensate. Do it for health and nothing else. Do it to stimulate your mind. Keep yourself active and healthy. These are positive steps. But beware that little voice that might wish to make this a crutch in an unhealthy manner, because in a healthy pursuit this will be the best crutch you have in the first place.
With this advice, you’re certain to dispel certain myths that might come to you. However, if you have a friend willing to help and remain at your side, you have plenty to be grateful for.
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Forget basic! Step up your game and throw your friend a bachelor party he will never forget (and for great reasons, not because he was too drunk to remember it) Read more in this contributed post.
Bachelor parties are, by nature, wild. But if the bachelor’s already a wild guy with high demands then there’s even more pressure on the best man or the bachelor’s group of friends to throw an insane party. Forget strip clubs or bars. That’s the stereotypical formula for a bachelor party, and it’s too basic. You need to step up your game. If you want to leave your party-animal friend speechless then you need to give them a night that’ll almost top their wedding day itself. Here are some crazy ideas to give you some inspiration.
Keep The Destination A Secret
A road trip.
This is the perfect option for the indecisive party planner. If you’re struggling to think of a single thing that’ll make your bachelor buddy happy on their bucks night then why not do everything? You could even surprise them by only telling them this once you get in the car. They’ll ask where you’re going, and you can tell them you’re heading out on the open road. Try to keep each destination secret so as to make it even more special when you see the surprised look on their face as you arrive at different places.
You could even hire a cool car for the trip. Maybe you could get an RV if you’ll want to be able to crash into bed at the end of a long night/morning. Or if you think your buddy will want to look cool as you cruise from destination to destination then you could hire a sports car. Whatever the vehicle, the point is that you and your buddies will head off on a fun journey together. With snacks in the car and great tunes on the radio, you’ll have the makings of a great party before you’ve even reached any destinations.
A boat party.
Why drink beers in a bar or a club when you can drink them on a boat? Your friend will expect you to go big or go home when it comes to organising their last night as a free man. There’s no better way to do that than by hiring a boat for the evening and having a wild time out on the ocean, a lake, or even a marina. You might want to check out local charter options for bucks parties in your area. The cooler the boat, the cooler the evening. You could have a night of playing poker, drinking, or even enjoying entertainment that you hire for the boat (that doesn’t have to involve a stripper, of course).
This is the perfect option for the indecisive party planner. If you’re struggling to think of a single thing that’ll make your bachelor buddy happy on their bucks night then why not do everything? You could even surprise them by only telling them this once you get in the car. They’ll ask where you’re going, and you can tell them you’re heading out on the open road. Try to keep each destination secret so as to make it even more special when you see the surprised look on their face as you arrive at different places.
You could even hire a cool car for the trip. Maybe you could get an RV if you’ll want to be able to crash into bed at the end of a long night/morning. Or if you think your buddy will want to look cool as you cruise from destination to destination then you could hire a sports car. Whatever the vehicle, the point is that you and your buddies will head off on a fun journey together. With snacks in the car and great tunes on the radio, you’ll have the makings of a great party before you’ve even reached any destinations.
A boat party.
Why drink beers in a bar or a club when you can drink them on a boat? Your friend will expect you to go big or go home when it comes to organising their last night as a free man. There’s no better way to do that than by hiring a boat for the evening and having a wild time out on the ocean, a lake, or even a marina. You might want to check out local charter options for bucks parties in your area. The cooler the boat, the cooler the evening. You could have a night of playing poker, drinking, or even enjoying entertainment that you hire for the boat (that doesn’t have to involve a stripper, of course).
A Camping Trip Can Be A Fun Creative Party Spot
Go camping.
Away from the bright lights of the city with its loud bars and clubs, you might think that there’s no way you could throw a wild bachelor party in nature. But the best parties only need a group of close friends (and maybe a few packs of booze). That’s why you should organise a camping trip for your friend’s big night. Forget the smartphones and all other aspects of the modern world. Have a tipsy night in a forest. You could play drinking games around a fire, tell each other funny stories, and just have a great night.
Away from the bright lights of the city with its loud bars and clubs, you might think that there’s no way you could throw a wild bachelor party in nature. But the best parties only need a group of close friends (and maybe a few packs of booze). That’s why you should organise a camping trip for your friend’s big night. Forget the smartphones and all other aspects of the modern world. Have a tipsy night in a forest. You could play drinking games around a fire, tell each other funny stories, and just have a great night.
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Ways to Make New Friends at Anime Conventions
5+ Ways to Make New Friends at Anime Conventions
by Roger Senpai
(Originally, I called this post “10 Ways to Make New Friends at Anime Conventions.” But I felt some methods are better than others. So the first 5 ways are great, while the latter 5 are just okay. Still lots of ways to make new friends though!)
Being a cosplay event organizer, I’ve seen many people who attend Anime conventions in order to meet new friends. However, when you see groups of cosplayers huddling together and talking to only their friends, making new friends at a con may seem like a daunting task. But I'm here to help – I myself have made many friends at Anime conventions! And I've met them through a variety of ways.
Before I begin, I should emphasize this list is far more useful if you have a genuine interest in geek fandom (e.g. video games, Anime, comic books). Otherwise, if you have absolutely no interest, you may come off as that guy who’s just trying to pick up girls at the Anime convention. Or you’re a girl who decided to buy a Sailor Moon dress to get some attention at the con. I mean, you don’t have to be a weeaboo or a nerd. But you should have the mindset that you’re going to have fun at an Anime convention, regardless of who you meet.
Based on my experience, here are 10 different ways to make new friends at Anime conventions:
1) Wear a popular cosplay - Of all the techniques listed here, wearing a popular cosplay is by far the easiest and most effective way to meet new friends at a con. Having a good and popular costume opens up all doors as people will approach YOU - whether asking to take a photo of your costume, or complimenting how amazing it is! And once that icebreaker is open, you can take the conversation further if you wanted.
For example, let's say you're cosplaying D.Va from Overwatch. Some possible scenarios:
Con Attendee: “OMG I love your D.Va costume!” OR “Excuse me; can I take a photo of you? Your D.Va cosplay is sooo amazing!”
You: Sure!
(Pose for photo)
Con Attendee: “Do you play a lot of Overwatch? We should play together sometime.” (Exchange Battle.Net accounts) OR “I’m going to cosplay Tracer at the next con. Do you want to cosplay Overwatch together?”
Alright, I actually don’t know how a typical Overwatch conversation would go. But that's a quick example showing simply how easy it is to make friends when you're cosplaying a popular character.
Also, more than likely there are other people either wearing the same costume or cosplaying a character from the same series. And most of the time, they will want to take a photo with you - another way to break the ice.
The costume itself doesn't have to be that great either. I used to cosplay Sebastian from the Anime Black Butler, and honestly the material was poor quality (I bought it off a cheap cosplay site). But most people don't care - if you're cosplaying someone they like, they will open up and talk to you. I met two good friends from Otakuthon because they were cosplaying Ciel and Grell, also from Black Butler. I’ve also met three other friends at Anime Shogatsu because they loved my Sebastian cosplay and because we had a great conversation after taking my photo.
So I cannot emphasize how many friends I've made by simply wearing a cosplay that was considered popular. There's no easier way to socialize at an Anime convention than to cosplay a popular character. This is especially true if you're shy or introverted - people will come to you!
If you don’t know what’s considered a popular cosplay, look at the photos of a large convention that recently took place. If you see a lot of the same characters, more than likely it’s popular at this moment in time.
And don’t worry about anyone judging you for wearing a “popular” cosplay or cosplaying a character you’ve never watched in an Anime or played in a video game. A lot of people do this, and the community loves to preach, “Cosplay whoever you want.” And who cares – you’re at a convention to have fun and make new friends.
2) Schedule or attend a group cosplay photoshoot - At many Anime conventions, group photos are scheduled for attendees cosplaying from the same series. (E.g. My Hero Academia photoshoot 2 p.m. Area C of the Toronto Congress Centre, Pokémon shoot at 3 p.m. in the hotel area). These photoshoots are great opportunities to chat with cosplayers from the same series. Not only is it fun to take pictures together with creative poses, more than likely you'll have things in common - after all you're cosplaying from the same series!
I cosplay Marth pretty often, so I decided to hold a few Fire Emblem photoshoots at smaller conventions. Not only did I get to meet new cosplayers this way, I made a few new friends who've taught me how to improve my Marth costume. A win-win situation.
Being a cosplay event organizer, I’ve seen many people who attend Anime conventions in order to meet new friends. However, when you see groups of cosplayers huddling together and talking to only their friends, making new friends at a con may seem like a daunting task. But I'm here to help – I myself have made many friends at Anime conventions! And I've met them through a variety of ways.
Before I begin, I should emphasize this list is far more useful if you have a genuine interest in geek fandom (e.g. video games, Anime, comic books). Otherwise, if you have absolutely no interest, you may come off as that guy who’s just trying to pick up girls at the Anime convention. Or you’re a girl who decided to buy a Sailor Moon dress to get some attention at the con. I mean, you don’t have to be a weeaboo or a nerd. But you should have the mindset that you’re going to have fun at an Anime convention, regardless of who you meet.
Based on my experience, here are 10 different ways to make new friends at Anime conventions:
1) Wear a popular cosplay - Of all the techniques listed here, wearing a popular cosplay is by far the easiest and most effective way to meet new friends at a con. Having a good and popular costume opens up all doors as people will approach YOU - whether asking to take a photo of your costume, or complimenting how amazing it is! And once that icebreaker is open, you can take the conversation further if you wanted.
For example, let's say you're cosplaying D.Va from Overwatch. Some possible scenarios:
Con Attendee: “OMG I love your D.Va costume!” OR “Excuse me; can I take a photo of you? Your D.Va cosplay is sooo amazing!”
You: Sure!
(Pose for photo)
Con Attendee: “Do you play a lot of Overwatch? We should play together sometime.” (Exchange Battle.Net accounts) OR “I’m going to cosplay Tracer at the next con. Do you want to cosplay Overwatch together?”
Alright, I actually don’t know how a typical Overwatch conversation would go. But that's a quick example showing simply how easy it is to make friends when you're cosplaying a popular character.
Also, more than likely there are other people either wearing the same costume or cosplaying a character from the same series. And most of the time, they will want to take a photo with you - another way to break the ice.
The costume itself doesn't have to be that great either. I used to cosplay Sebastian from the Anime Black Butler, and honestly the material was poor quality (I bought it off a cheap cosplay site). But most people don't care - if you're cosplaying someone they like, they will open up and talk to you. I met two good friends from Otakuthon because they were cosplaying Ciel and Grell, also from Black Butler. I’ve also met three other friends at Anime Shogatsu because they loved my Sebastian cosplay and because we had a great conversation after taking my photo.
So I cannot emphasize how many friends I've made by simply wearing a cosplay that was considered popular. There's no easier way to socialize at an Anime convention than to cosplay a popular character. This is especially true if you're shy or introverted - people will come to you!
If you don’t know what’s considered a popular cosplay, look at the photos of a large convention that recently took place. If you see a lot of the same characters, more than likely it’s popular at this moment in time.
And don’t worry about anyone judging you for wearing a “popular” cosplay or cosplaying a character you’ve never watched in an Anime or played in a video game. A lot of people do this, and the community loves to preach, “Cosplay whoever you want.” And who cares – you’re at a convention to have fun and make new friends.
2) Schedule or attend a group cosplay photoshoot - At many Anime conventions, group photos are scheduled for attendees cosplaying from the same series. (E.g. My Hero Academia photoshoot 2 p.m. Area C of the Toronto Congress Centre, Pokémon shoot at 3 p.m. in the hotel area). These photoshoots are great opportunities to chat with cosplayers from the same series. Not only is it fun to take pictures together with creative poses, more than likely you'll have things in common - after all you're cosplaying from the same series!
I cosplay Marth pretty often, so I decided to hold a few Fire Emblem photoshoots at smaller conventions. Not only did I get to meet new cosplayers this way, I made a few new friends who've taught me how to improve my Marth costume. A win-win situation.
THE FIRE EMBLEM HEROS
3) Take photos of cosplayers - If you decide you don't want to cosplay, you can always take photos of cosplayers. Start off by asking for their photo ("Excuse me, can I take a photo of your costume?"). After you finish taking their picture, you can ask about their cosplay ("How did you make it" or "Did you see the ending of Naruto, blah blah"). Then gauge their response. If they're giving you a one-word answer or looking away, they probably have somewhere to go. But if they're genuinely interested, then perhaps they want to know more about you. You'd be surprised how taking a picture of someone has led to friendship.
Once, I saw a good Star Trek cosplayer and asked for her photo. While I don’t think it’s a good idea to talk about Star Wars to a fan of Star Trek, for some reason I decided to talk about Star Wars to her after I took the photo. I found out we actually had a lot in common! So we kept in touch and now she’s a good acquaintance of mine, and I’m happy to see she’s still making great cosplays to this day.
You never know who you can meet by simply asking for their photo.
Just be aware that there are certain times where it's inappropriate to ask for a photo. For example, don't ask to take a picture if they're sitting down, or eating or busy doing something else. It's considered especially rude to ask for a photo while they’re in the middle of their own photoshoot; interrupting the photographer and the cosplayer is not a good first impression to make!
4) Volunteer - Volunteering is a great way to meet new people during an Anime convention. Not the actual attendees themselves, but the volunteers and staff you're working alongside with. It's like meeting coworkers at your job, but in a more fun, casual environment. It doesn’t have to feel like work either – you can usually decide what type of volunteer work to do, and how many hours you want to help.
A few years ago, I volunteered for Anime Boston (yes, a convention outside of my own country!). They accepted my application and the experience was a lot of fun. My fellow volunteers and staff were great people to volunteer and socialize with, and I still keep in touch with them today. By volunteering for Anime Boston, I made a bunch of new friends and I got a bunch of swag and free stuff during the con as well.
5) Bring a Card Game - Whether it's Apples to Apples or Cards Against Humanity, card games are a great way to break the ice with your fellow attendees at an Anime convention. There's always going to be somebody bored or lonely at a con. Bring one of these card games to a convention and invite them to play with you. Not only will it be fun, you’ll also make a new friend this way.
Back when I first started the Cosplay Hangout Group, most people who showed up for my cosplay events didn't talk to each other. Like many new people in the cosplay community, it was somewhat awkward and people were standing around. So I decided to bring my Cards Against Humanity deck and made the attendees play together. Not only was the game hilarious and eased the nervousness of some, it allowed them to socialize with each other. How beautiful that game is.
6) Hit up the Con Rave - I know the raves at cons get a bad rep for sketchy people and drug addicts, but I've met some great people at raves, including cosplayers, DJs, performers, singers and fashion artists. It's a wonderful and diverse mix of people at a rave. Starting a conversation at a rave can be as easy as giving someone your glow stick or "Kandi."
7) Hotel Parties - If you're going to a large Anime convention, there will always be hotels where attendees are staying for the weekend. And with hotels, come hotel parties! Probably the most difficult part is getting invited. But if you socialize enough during the con, you will find yourself invited to one. Believe me, it’s not that difficult. I've been to several conventions outside of my own city and I've been invited to hotel parties by attendees I've never met prior. Anyways, if you want to make new friends and you get invited, be damn sure to accept the invitation and go.
Yes, sometimes it can be awkward at the party when everyone knows each other and you know nobody at first. But don't worry, there's always someone at the hotel party similar to one described in that Alessia Cara track, Here (God I hate that song).
let's party
8) Host a Panel - What better way to gather like-minded people than hosting a panel at a con?! But seriously, it's not a bad idea. You are talking about a topic that you're interested in. And the people who attended your panel are also interested in the subject.
I hosted a Pokémon panel a couple of years back. The attendees were as enthusiastic about Pokémon as I was, and if I wanted a few players to battle with, I could easily have picked a few right there at the panel. In fact, one guy came up to me and wanted to be my friend. He asked for my Facebook account. But he kept interrupting my damn panel, so I didn’t want to be friends with him!
9) Tabletop Gaming - At many Anime conventions, there's a room dedicated to tabletop gaming. Although some people will already be with their friends playing together, there are a few people who are looking for someone to join their game. Maybe one of their friends left for a photoshoot, and they're now missing a player? Much like bringing a card game to a con, tabletop gaming is a good way to have fun and meet new people. I got to hangout with some cool people in the Tabletop gaming room at Youmacon. I sure as hell don't remember what game it was, but it was fun talking about differences between Detroit and Toronto!
10) Video Game rooms - What better way to start a friendship than to kick their ass in Smash Bros.?! Okay, I haven't made many friends in video game rooms - because they're too salty after I beat them.
:)
ROGER SENPAI
About The Author
As a self confessed "geek" Roger Senpai ,a former journalist is currently the administrator of the Cosplay Hangout Group based in Toronto, Canada.
He organizes and hosts cosplay events for the community, as well as running a blog centered around all things cosplay.
The Senpai Blog
#cosplay #cosplaywip #animecosplay #cosplaylife #cosplayer #animelife #cosplaylife #animeconvention #cosplans #cosplaying #cosplayfun #cosplayworld #cosplaylifestyle #cosplaycommunity
- Published on
Anniversary of the book From Friends To Lovers by Frank
Dear Friends,
I got a reminder on social media that today is the anniversary that I self published my 10th book: From Friends To Lovers: Stop Being Her Emotional Cookie Man. On July 12, 2009 I self published it.
In celebration, of this 8th anniversary of this book, I present the introduction of the this book written by Will Hicks.
Enjoy!
-Frank Kermit, Author
Introduction to From Friends To Lovers
by Will Hicks
My Mother told me that it was an extreme honor when someone asks you to write an introduction or forward to their book as she was asked by one of her colleagues at work.
When Frank asked me I took it as an extreme honor because of our friendship and the caliber of person that he is.
Once Frank becomes your friend he’s there for you through thick and thin, rain or shine.
He also makes sure he stays in communication with all his friends as well as open doors for you through friends he has that may be able to help you in any way.
I remember when I first met Frank Kermit when we were speakers at the same event held in Canada. Frank, the gracious person that he is, reached out to me first and introduced himself and with that gesture started what would be a unique life long friendship.
The Cliffs List Convention in Canada where
Will Hicks and Frank Kermit Met
Will Hicks and Frank Kermit Met
Will Hicks first appearance on Frank's show
He always kept me in the loop with everything he was doing including his radio shows, which I had the pleasure of being a part of on more than 1 occasion.
The most memorable show for me was the New Years Eve show we did together. This was one of the funniest hours of my life.
We talked about everything from where to go, where not to go, the mindset that you need to have...etc. The show was professionally done, as is everything the man does.
We found over the course of that hour that we had many things in common, even though we each had our own unique methodologies and delivery systems with which we conveyed our messages.
In other words that show helped cement our friendship.
In other words that show helped cement our friendship.
How To Pick Up On New Years Eve
We’ve shared many private moments off the air also, friends talking shop, giving advice, and trying to help out guys that need it the most. There are a lot of pretenders out and I can say not just with my own experiences but also out of the mouths of countless others that Frank Kermit is No Pretender. His body of work speaks for itself and I’m honored to be a part of that great body of work.
When Frank speaks it’s always from the heart and he’s speaking from experience. He genuinely doesn’t want you to make the same mistakes as he did or take some of the roads that he’s traveled. I’d say he generous to a fault with an infectious smile and as cool as the other side of the pillow.
Once you enter his world, Frank becomes your mentor, coach, confidant, counselor and most importantly Friend. So enjoy what’s about to happen next. There will probably be things along the way that you disagree with or don’t like but you’ll always appreciate where they’re coming from, that I can assure you. Also know that Frank Kermit wouldn’t have you do something that he wouldn’t do himself.
Will Hicks, Dating Coach
Sign Up for Coaching
Get a Real Girlfriend Now
Thank Frank By Helping Him Send His Son To School
