Ok, apparently I'm socially inept and didn't realize that there are more places to meet people than on match or eharmony.
I just recently learned that there are a plethora of websites where you can meet people for social activities or dates.
Duh! Did anyone else know of these?

I recently tried www plentyoffish dot com. They list events in your area, and you show up and meet new people, both men and women. And apparently, all these people are also connected on other websites and there are sites for people to meet and go out to dinner. People are willing to drive for hours just to socialize.

Now, I've taken myself out of the dating game, but didn't realize you can do fun things and meet new people without ti being a "date". I recently went on a hayride in my area, and met many nice people, both men and women. And tonight, there is a Halloween Party. A few weeks ago it was an Octoberfest celebration. People just show up and you look for people with the group "stickers" on them.

Did anyone else know of this stuff?

All these nights I've been sitting around hoping to find a friend to see a movie with me, I could have been out meeting new people. And since I don't like the bar scene, it's nice to know that there are places to meet people that aren't just bars.

Just my thoughts.

Work has banned outside emails and is now checking websites, so I've had major withdrawal, as that was my MB fix.

I understand your issue with work. Sucks, doesn't it, when they actually make you do your job.

Be careful with POF and any other free site. That was the one that my friend and I, for fun one Friday night, searched for guys in her age range (5 years or so), Scorpio only (so 1/12 of the total), within 10 miles of her postal code, looking for "intimate encounters". I'll give you 3 guesses what intimate encounters means. She lives in the country - yet there were over 300 meeting this description!!!!! Honestly, we didn't think there were 300 people in range, let alone men, let alone within a 5 year age range, let alone Scorpios! We clicked on a few and they were ALL MARRIED!!! Did I mention this was a Friday night around 9:30 or 10? So, wifey is upstairs putting the kids to bed and slimeball is in the basement trying to get internet sex.

Tabby - yukk.

Since my separation, I joined an interest group which has many other single interest groups under the same umbrella. These single interest groups includes trekking, photography, diving, etc. I have been with this group throughout my divorce, being single again, for a total of five years.

Last weekend we set up an exhibition for the photo group. I look at all the men there... each of them has their own quirks and different personalities. Some are married, some divorced and some single. But all of them in their own special way has included me in their lives and hobbies. We BBQ, explore new places and share new tricks that we learn. Of course, it is no replacement for for a man-woman relationship. But these friends have no ulterior motives and our friendship is so unconditional. I feel so blessed to have them, just like I feel blessed to have the people on MB. I have been here for five years too.

newly, I can't help you. I am on the other side of the world.

You can actually prevent people who choose "intimate encounters" from contacting you.

I don't know how it will work, but just knowing that there are places to go gives me some hope.

The hayride and halloween party sound like fun. I never knew about any of those. It sounds like a neat idea.

Any other suggestions on how to meet new people? The bar scene isn`t really my idea of fun. Besides all my friends are married and they sure don`t want to go to the bars at night. And going alone doesn`t even sound like a good idea. I have an hour commute to work so by the time I get home from work, I usually don`t feel like doing much. I sure could use a diversion to get my mind thinking other things right now.

Joining a sports league is a great way to meet people. I play co-ed softball in the summer. It is a rec league so anyone of any skill level (including none) can play. I've met lots of people that way. I also played women's soccer. I was still married at the time but many single women played and men's soccer was right after ours and many of them met and dated from that interaction. I find these team sports to be better for meeting people because they require a degree of social interaction just to play. Also, our teams would go out for beer and wings afterwards, have an end of season banquet and then people occassionally get together in the off season. It was a great way to expand my circle of friends without dealing with the bar scene (which I agree is terrible).

There is a national organization called Meetup that has a website and local chapters in many area. I've been to one outing there for a Kentucky Derby party earlier this year and had a good time. They had an interesting mix of people from the socially inept to people I have intelligent conversation with. They have many special interest groups, one that eats out, one that goes to movies, etc. I would be more active except most of the events are in the next county and I really can't and don't want to drive there and my own social life is busy enough for me.

There are singles dances sponsored by churches in the area, I tried one but the age range was a bit older than my tastes.

Get out there and explore your interests. You will meet people that share those interests. Do what you love to do, if you spend time as a single person, then why not spend it doing what you love? The quest for romance can prevent you from enjoying your single life. There's a lot to be said for being single.