It sure does me. Here's my situation.

College Grad as of the spring. This summer was great, good girl, ok job with lots of free time, good times. Well this fall I started looking for a career, and landed one. Great potential, good starting salary for my age $30-$40k. Well, my girlfriend broke up with me. We lived 100 miles apart since college, she is down there, I am up here, she didn't want to deal with it any longer. Fine, I can put her behind me, it was only a year.

So here I am, 22 years old, living at home. I want to move out, but I need to pay off the debt I accumulated over 4 years of college. That, and I am trying to save up to purchase a place, as opposed to rent. I live 65 miles from work, and have a hellish commute accross the city of Chicago. Any free time I have over the week is spent by eating dinner or going to bed. I get home at 7:30 pm, and need to be out the door at 6:30am to get to work on time. I have no social outlets beyond work or my friends from school. They all have significant others, so they don't go out as often, and I don't think I want to pick up a girl at a bar.

So I am 22, single, living at home, and very little money to spread around. For those of you that met your significant other, where did you do so? I think I missed the boat on meeting her in school...

Well, at 22, you have hardly "missed the boat". When you get to be 48 and you have no significant other for the holidays, come back and talk.

I'm not saying I am out of options, I am just looking for advice as how this game works in the "real world"

Keep trying and look to the future. Otherwise you’ll end up bitter and endlessly grinding axes over your own perceived failings, not unlike a few members here.

There are a huge number of social organizations available. Everything from clubs that go to restaurants and sample different food and wine, to clubs catering to mountaineering snow sports, movie, dance, to classes in pottery, gardening, model building, evening classes schools, churches and well you name it. You live in population dense area. Pick something you like and find a social group, club, or school that serves that interest. Sometimes the goal is less to learn than to simply put yourself in a social setting. Best use of the opportunity and all that.

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...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Thanks for the advice. I have looked into local social clubs, none cater to memebers my age. All of the ski clubs for example require the memeber to be at least 25, or at least those that I have found. Another thing is my lack of free time. The week is shot for me, and the weekend is spent recooperating from the week, and maintaining existing relationships. Another factor is cost. It seems that every dollar I maked is already ear marked for something else. I guess this is a reality of life.

Your still young and you still have alot of opportunities to meet women.
I would focus on the career and make as much money as possible.
When you become successful, women will be available to you.
You may think that you don't want a girl that is materialistic, but most women are, they just don't show you that side of themselves right away.

So, make money!

Get outside of yourself and your own problems. Do some volunteer work in a homeless shelter or something else along that line. It will make you see how good you have it inspite of all your problems, and give you a chance to meet people who have a heart.

Don't sweat it V, I was in the same boat although I never had a women shortage I had a quality women shortage, the women I was running with wern't really the enjoy a Christmas eve together type. Well I enjoyed it but not the way that your looking for.

Then I was in the bank making a deposit and bing bam boom I married the banker.

Moral of the story make lots of money and good things eventually happen.

It's not too late for women scouting, pre-christmas is the absolute best time of the year to meet women, a bunch of women are in the same mood you are.

One, I have no time. Two, seeing other people's problems does not solve my own. While it may make me reflect on my problems in a different light, it does not take away from the fact that these problems still exist, no matter how insignificant

None of the ski clubs are gonna check your id. I used to drop by the office of a professor or teacher who was teaching a class I wanted to take. I asked if I could sit in on the class, and was never turned down. I used this approach at the local art school as well as the college and U I attended. By this means I was able to sit in on a lot of classes, was able to assist on some and taught some classes as well.

As a suggestion, girls love touchable things. As example, the ration of girls to guys at a pottery classes is about 20 to 3. Same with gardening, cooking, and while not exactly touchable, even lit and poetry courses have a high ratio of girls. Again, make the best use of the opportunity. Acknowledge any limitations, such as lack of extra cash, and plow ahead anyway.

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

This was college, and I am paying for it now

I met my wife at a local community theater group where I was volunteering my sound technician/design and stage management services.

As a matter fo fact, our theater has brought together many couples which have lasted many years, kids, etc. Theater is a great place to meet people. You don't have to act, just be a volunteer and show an interest, they will probably be willing to train you in what you want to know. Esther here knows how to use power tools, the plug in kind, that is.
Most community theaters are comprised of folks who have jobs to pay the bills outside.


Check out this photo from a recent production. She met her husband outside of the theater. I think they're divorced,now. Just goes to show you.
Her name is Esther. Maybe I should put this on the Pretty Girls thread.

Theater parties are great,too. I'll stop there about that.

Mainly, do some volunteer work in what interests you LOCALLY.

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85' 300D No inspection, No registration fees, Cheap insurance
"If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious %$&^."

Thinking of others rather than yourself is a great start. Do something nice for someone you care for.

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The only thing we have to fear is fear itself!

One of my house mates majored in theater. The parties were worth the price of tuition all by themselves! Lotta very outgoing girls in that dept.

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

Start being thankful.

Be thankful you went to college, have a job when many don't, and have a great set of parents that are willing to help you still. All of these are going to set you up later down the road, especially the help from your parents. So many are in debt up to their eyeballs with no end in sight these days.

This time period in your life will pass soon enough. Go home and give your parents a big hug and tell them you love them. Don't focus on yourself so much and be thankful for every little thing you have.

Women have a way of falling in your lap when you least expect it. I'd work hard, play hard, while appreciating what you have, and the girl will come when it's time.


Happy Holidays.

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1994 C 280 117.5k, White (Good as new)
1997 Toyota Camry 149k Miles (Not so pretty anymore)

1990 190e 2.6 95k (Sold-Should not have)
1981 240d Stick ??? Miles...sold