How to make new friends? (Woodbridge: movies, camping, dining)

[Carlingtonian]

Originally Posted by arielmina

dern it I have absolutely no idea what the joke is...

You know, Horse People--like mermaids, minotaurs, sphinxes, other mythical semi-humanoid beasts.

In the stupor of the afternoon, I will stoop to any low when it comes to self-amusement!

Originally Posted by VRE332

Someone invite Carlingtonian to dinner or a movie or something, get him off the forum.

Take me to L'Auberge! But you're buying.

[arielmina]

lol

[South Jersey Styx]

Originally Posted by VRE332

Someone invite Carlingtonian to dinner or a movie or something, get him off the forum.

[katyusha25]

Originally Posted by arielmina

dern it I have absolutely no idea what the joke is...

haha I think he meant Centaur...

[arielmina]

lol perhaps that's why it flew right over my head!

[stpickrell]

the computer is a tool but you have to eventually meet outside. also if you constantly beg off of events, then folks will stop trying to invite you.

[vauser]

I love playing tennis (though I have been sucking at it offlate given that I've not played enough) and ping pong (at a decent level). Anything in Brambleton I should look into to both cultivate this interest and make some new friends?

Volunteering for local events is an excellent idea (something we need to look into).

Also, about neighbors - how do we make friends with them? Just knock their door and say hello? Or, wait to "run into them" coincidentally?

[cdmurphy]

Originally Posted by vauser

I love playing tennis (though I have been sucking at it offlate given that I've not played enough) and ping pong (at a decent level). Anything in Brambleton I should look into to both cultivate this interest and make some new friends?

Volunteering for local events is an excellent idea (something we need to look into).

Also, about neighbors - how do we make friends with them? Just knock their door and say hello? Or, wait to "run into them" coincidentally?

The intranet has a groups directory. I just looked, and there's one tennis group, but it looks like it was associated with one of the tennis instructors that does lessons at our courts. You could start your own group there on the intranet, or you could just post on the message boards either there (although they don't get a lot of traffic) or on the Brambletonian looking for people who want to play. [I'm not sure if I'm allowed to give the link, but if you Google 'Brambletonian' you'll find it. Reminder, it is 100% unofficial and independent of the HOA.]

When we moved in, the neighborhood was new, and we had met our next-door neighbors during the construction process while stalking our house. Then we got to know others through block parties; chit chat by the mailboxes or bus stop; saying hi while out doing yard work, putting up holiday decorations, or dog walking; etc. We've met some of our best friends here through the Brambletonian, and through a "Happy Hour" group on the intranet. Some people get locked into relationships with their kids' friends' parents, but we lived here for 5 years before our kids were born, so we've met lots of different people with different situations (older and younger singles, young just-marrieds without kids, couples with young kids, couples with teens). Honestly, I have never lived anywhere this conducive to making friends (except maybe college).

[vauser]

Originally Posted by cdmurphy

The intranet has a groups directory. I just looked, and there's one tennis group, but it looks like it was associated with one of the tennis instructors that does lessons at our courts. You could start your own group there on the intranet, or you could just post on the message boards either there (although they don't get a lot of traffic) or on the Brambletonian looking for people who want to play. [I'm not sure if I'm allowed to give the link, but if you Google 'Brambletonian' you'll find it. Reminder, it is 100% unofficial and independent of the HOA.]

When we moved in, the neighborhood was new, and we had met our next-door neighbors during the construction process while stalking our house. Then we got to know others through block parties; chit chat by the mailboxes or bus stop; saying hi while out doing yard work, putting up holiday decorations, or dog walking; etc. We've met some of our best friends here through the Brambletonian, and through a "Happy Hour" group on the intranet. Some people get locked into relationships with their kids' friends' parents, but we lived here for 5 years before our kids were born, so we've met lots of different people with different situations (older and younger singles, young just-marrieds without kids, couples with young kids, couples with teens). Honestly, I have never lived anywhere this conducive to making friends (except maybe college).

Super! This is SOO encouraging to read. We are very sociable people and love people in general so hopefully we can benefit a lot from Brambleton. Can't wait to move! But, miles to go before that.

[LynchburgLover]

Originally Posted by vauser

I love playing tennis (though I have been sucking at it offlate given that I've not played enough) and ping pong (at a decent level). Anything in Brambleton I should look into to both cultivate this interest and make some new friends?

Volunteering for local events is an excellent idea (something we need to look into).

Also, about neighbors - how do we make friends with them? Just knock their door and say hello? Or, wait to "run into them" coincidentally?

This is the easiest time of year to meet your neighbors! Put invitations in every mailbox or door and have a "Dessert and Coffee" or "Wine and Hors D'oevres" Holiday Party! Start a neighborhood tradition -- become the "party" house.

Then . . . while you have a captive audience, see if anyone wants to play tennis, start a book club, a gourmet dinner club, a whatever-your-interest club.