Maybe if you spent less time on the 'net you'd engage in activities where you might make some friends?
My thing with the net started about 5 years ago. Before then I had already tried some of the suggestions you offered, which BTW thank you for offering. I tried the bowling thing but it always lead to the same thing as many other things I avoid, everyone drinks alcohol and I'm not much of a drinker. I will have a beer on special occasions but not during an outing such as bowling or hanging out. I usually drink soda and it has caused me to be excluded from groups. It even happened with my brother, they called me a beer warmer cause the beer would get cold before I got half way on it. And was made fun of often by many for drinking soda where everyone else drank beer. I will be going to college hopefully next year so that could work. The pool, darks and stuff all lead to the same problem as the bowling. I have already been thru this before. Even during my 5 years of being online. I do get out from time to time with my family, but alone just doesn't work for me. Alcohol will always be the option for having fun and it always ends up leaving me out once I refuse to drink.
The political thing is actually tempting, I did join JU to learn more about it and have learned a lot since I joined. That may not be such a bad thing. Karaoke? Not likely, I love singing but only to myself. I am very shy around crowds.
It's not easy to mingle when you're a shy, non-drinking, do-like-crowds, geek like me. It's just who I am and not something widely accepted by everyone. I would much rather be home watching TV, playing on my PC and/or playing with my kids and/or wife. If you are suggesting that this is a bad thing, I don't see it that way. Considering that the chances of something bad can happen to me inside as much as outside, I feel better indoors. Not everyone was meant to be out there. My world is not coming to an end for lack of friends, my wife has her few friends which I kinda like my friends. But as I said I much rather be home or go out with my family.
