Daniel O'Brien's Blog, page 75

Okay, so my sister found a puppy in the woods and he is so tiny and hungry and lovey and was absolutely covered in ticks and we named him Sarge. Okay, important part, in the pic of your dog you put up today it looks like they have similar face, so I was wo

Half Jack Russell, half dachshund and half best dog in the world. He is cheerful and stupid, like me, with lots of energy. He likes being scratched on his neck and hates the ocean.

I've been in L.A. for a few months and don't have many friends here. I'm pretty nervous in social situations, but I am still pretty good at meeting new people, but am not sure how to go from meeting a new person to actually establishing friendships. Any su

Making friends as an adult is very difficult (I’m currently in the slow process of converting a dog park acquaintance into a full-on friend). You can’t really fall back on the forced, automatic friendships that are born out of middle and high school (where you become friends with the people because you see each other every day and various social circles inevitably emerge) and it’s not like college, where there are so many clubs and activities specifically designed to connect people with similar passions, all roughly around the same age. You’re just out in the world.

I would say don’t overthink it. Everyone knows that making friends as an adult is already weird and hard; don’t make it weirder by putting too much thought into it. Don’t treat friendship like it’s some weird cult, like “Hey, work associate, you are pleasant company. We are now friends, here is your list of new responsibilities.” If you want to be friends with someone because you get along really well, chances are they ALSO wouldn’t mind hanging around you. So for starters breathe a sigh of relief knowing you’re all in the same boat.

Also, have something to do. I hosted a bunch of stuff when I first moved here. I had a monthly board game night with some people at work and some other people. I’d cook snacks and mix drinks and slowly but surely worm my way into everyone’s lives (“Oh, yeah, I remember Daniel; he makes really good nachos and always seems to have alcohol. Let’s invite him over.”). You don’t need to host a board game night or anything, it could be as simple as saying “Hey (potential new friend), I’m volunteering (or going for a hike or going to happy hour or catching this cool band) this weekend- do you want to join?”

Friendship is a gradual thing, no one goes from friendly acquaintance to trusted confidant overnight.

EXCEPTION: I had no friends when I first moved here for about two months. Then Soren emailed me and said “Do you have any friends yet,” and I said no and he said “Okay we’ll be friends. There’s a party Friday, come, there will be girls there.”

I've been in L.A. for a few months and don't have many friends here. I'm pretty nervous in social situations, but I am still pretty good at meeting new people, but am not sure how to go from meeting a new person to actually establishing friendships. Any su

Making friends as an adult is very difficult (I’m currently in the slow process of converting a dog park acquaintance into a full-on friend). You can’t really fall back on the forced, automatic friendships that are born out of middle and high school (where you become friends with the people because you see each other every day and various social circles inevitably emerge) and it’s not like college, where there are so many clubs and activities specifically designed to connect people with similar passions, all roughly around the same age. You’re just out in the world.

I would say don’t overthink it. Everyone knows that making friends as an adult is already weird and hard; don’t make it weirder by putting too much thought into it. Don’t treat friendship like it’s some weird cult, like “Hey, work associate, you are pleasant company. We are now friends, here is your list of new responsibilities.” If you want to be friends with someone because you get along really well, chances are they ALSO wouldn’t mind hanging around you. So for starters breathe a sigh of relief knowing you’re all in the same boat.

Also, have something to do. I hosted a bunch of stuff when I first moved here. I had a monthly board game night with some people at work and some other people. I’d cook snacks and mix drinks and slowly but surely worm my way into everyone’s lives (“Oh, yeah, I remember Daniel; he makes really good nachos and always seems to have alcohol. Let’s invite him over.”). You don’t need to host a board game night or anything, it could be as simple as saying “Hey (potential new friend), I’m volunteering (or going for a hike or going to happy hour or catching this cool band) this weekend- do you want to join?”

Friendship is a gradual thing, no one goes from friendly acquaintance to trusted confidant overnight.

EXCEPTION: I had no friends when I first moved here for about two months. Then Soren emailed me and said “Do you have any friends yet,” and I said no and he said “Okay we’ll be friends. There’s a party Friday, come, there will be girls there.”

I've been in L.A. for a few months and don't have many friends here. I'm pretty nervous in social situations, but I am still pretty good at meeting new people, but am not sure how to go from meeting a new person to actually establishing friendships. Any su

Making friends as an adult is very difficult (I’m currently in the slow process of converting a dog park acquaintance into a full-on friend). You can’t really fall back on the forced, automatic friendships that are born out of middle and high school (where you become friends with the people because you see each other every day and various social circles inevitably emerge) and it’s not like college, where there are so many clubs and activities specifically designed to connect people with similar passions, all roughly around the same age. You’re just out in the world.

I would say don’t overthink it. Everyone knows that making friends as an adult is already weird and hard; don’t make it weirder by putting too much thought into it. Don’t treat friendship like it’s some weird cult, like “Hey, work associate, you are pleasant company. We are now friends, here is your list of new responsibilities.” If you want to be friends with someone because you get along really well, chances are they ALSO wouldn’t mind hanging around you. So for starters breathe a sigh of relief knowing you’re all in the same boat.

Also, have something to do. I hosted a bunch of stuff when I first moved here. I had a monthly board game night with some people at work and some other people. I’d cook snacks and mix drinks and slowly but surely worm my way into everyone’s lives (“Oh, yeah, I remember Daniel; he makes really good nachos and always seems to have alcohol. Let’s invite him over.”). You don’t need to host a board game night or anything, it could be as simple as saying “Hey (potential new friend), I’m volunteering (or going for a hike or going to happy hour or catching this cool band) this weekend- do you want to join?”

Friendship is a gradual thing, no one goes from friendly acquaintance to trusted confidant overnight.

EXCEPTION: I had no friends when I first moved here for about two months. Then Soren emailed me and said “Do you have any friends yet,” and I said no and he said “Okay we’ll be friends. There’s a party Friday, come, there will be girls there.”

I've been in L.A. for a few months and don't have many friends here. I'm pretty nervous in social situations, but I am still pretty good at meeting new people, but am not sure how to go from meeting a new person to actually establishing friendships. Any su

Making friends as an adult is very difficult (I’m currently in the slow process of converting a dog park acquaintance into a full-on friend). You can’t really fall back on the forced, automatic friendships that are born out of middle and high school (where you become friends with the people because you see each other every day and various social circles inevitably emerge) and it’s not like college, where there are so many clubs and activities specifically designed to connect people with similar passions, all roughly around the same age. You’re just out in the world.

I would say don’t overthink it. Everyone knows that making friends as an adult is already weird and hard; don’t make it weirder by putting too much thought into it. Don’t treat friendship like it’s some weird cult, like “Hey, work associate, you are pleasant company. We are now friends, here is your list of new responsibilities.” If you want to be friends with someone because you get along really well, chances are they ALSO wouldn’t mind hanging around you. So for starters breathe a sigh of relief knowing you’re all in the same boat.

Also, have something to do. I hosted a bunch of stuff when I first moved here. I had a monthly board game night with some people at work and some other people. I’d cook snacks and mix drinks and slowly but surely worm my way into everyone’s lives (“Oh, yeah, I remember Daniel; he makes really good nachos and always seems to have alcohol. Let’s invite him over.”). You don’t need to host a board game night or anything, it could be as simple as saying “Hey (potential new friend), I’m volunteering (or going for a hike or going to happy hour or catching this cool band) this weekend- do you want to join?”

Friendship is a gradual thing, no one goes from friendly acquaintance to trusted confidant overnight.

EXCEPTION: I had no friends when I first moved here for about two months. Then Soren emailed me and said “Do you have any friends yet,” and I said no and he said “Okay we’ll be friends. There’s a party Friday, come, there will be girls there.”

I've been in L.A. for a few months and don't have many friends here. I'm pretty nervous in social situations, but I am still pretty good at meeting new people, but am not sure how to go from meeting a new person to actually establishing friendships. Any su

Making friends as an adult is very difficult (I’m currently in the slow process of converting a dog park acquaintance into a full-on friend). You can’t really fall back on the forced, automatic friendships that are born out of middle and high school (where you become friends with the people because you see each other every day and various social circles inevitably emerge) and it’s not like college, where there are so many clubs and activities specifically designed to connect people with similar passions, all roughly around the same age. You’re just out in the world.

I would say don’t overthink it. Everyone knows that making friends as an adult is already weird and hard; don’t make it weirder by putting too much thought into it. Don’t treat friendship like it’s some weird cult, like “Hey, work associate, you are pleasant company. We are now friends, here is your list of new responsibilities.” If you want to be friends with someone because you get along really well, chances are they ALSO wouldn’t mind hanging around you. So for starters breathe a sigh of relief knowing you’re all in the same boat.

Also, have something to do. I hosted a bunch of stuff when I first moved here. I had a monthly board game night with some people at work and some other people. I’d cook snacks and mix drinks and slowly but surely worm my way into everyone’s lives (“Oh, yeah, I remember Daniel; he makes really good nachos and always seems to have alcohol. Let’s invite him over.”). You don’t need to host a board game night or anything, it could be as simple as saying “Hey (potential new friend), I’m volunteering (or going for a hike or going to happy hour or catching this cool band) this weekend- do you want to join?”

Friendship is a gradual thing, no one goes from friendly acquaintance to trusted confidant overnight.

EXCEPTION: I had no friends when I first moved here for about two months. Then Soren emailed me and said “Do you have any friends yet,” and I said no and he said “Okay we’ll be friends. There’s a party Friday, come, there will be girls there.”

I've been in L.A. for a few months and don't have many friends here. I'm pretty nervous in social situations, but I am still pretty good at meeting new people, but am not sure how to go from meeting a new person to actually establishing friendships. Any su

Making friends as an adult is very difficult (I’m currently in the slow process of converting a dog park acquaintance into a full-on friend). You can’t really fall back on the forced, automatic friendships that are born out of middle and high school (where you become friends with the people because you see each other every day and various social circles inevitably emerge) and it’s not like college, where there are so many clubs and activities specifically designed to connect people with similar passions, all roughly around the same age. You’re just out in the world.

I would say don’t overthink it. Everyone knows that making friends as an adult is already weird and hard; don’t make it weirder by putting too much thought into it. Don’t treat friendship like it’s some weird cult, like “Hey, work associate, you are pleasant company. We are now friends, here is your list of new responsibilities.” If you want to be friends with someone because you get along really well, chances are they ALSO wouldn’t mind hanging around you. So for starters breathe a sigh of relief knowing you’re all in the same boat.

Also, have something to do. I hosted a bunch of stuff when I first moved here. I had a monthly board game night with some people at work and some other people. I’d cook snacks and mix drinks and slowly but surely worm my way into everyone’s lives (“Oh, yeah, I remember Daniel; he makes really good nachos and always seems to have alcohol. Let’s invite him over.”). You don’t need to host a board game night or anything, it could be as simple as saying “Hey (potential new friend), I’m volunteering (or going for a hike or going to happy hour or catching this cool band) this weekend- do you want to join?”

Friendship is a gradual thing, no one goes from friendly acquaintance to trusted confidant overnight.

EXCEPTION: I had no friends when I first moved here for about two months. Then Soren emailed me and said “Do you have any friends yet,” and I said no and he said “Okay we’ll be friends. There’s a party Friday, come, there will be girls there.”

I've been in L.A. for a few months and don't have many friends here. I'm pretty nervous in social situations, but I am still pretty good at meeting new people, but am not sure how to go from meeting a new person to actually establishing friendships. Any su

Making friends as an adult is very difficult (I’m currently in the slow process of converting a dog park acquaintance into a full-on friend). You can’t really fall back on the forced, automatic friendships that are born out of middle and high school (where you become friends with the people because you see each other every day and various social circles inevitably emerge) and it’s not like college, where there are so many clubs and activities specifically designed to connect people with similar passions, all roughly around the same age. You’re just out in the world.

I would say don’t overthink it. Everyone knows that making friends as an adult is already weird and hard; don’t make it weirder by putting too much thought into it. Don’t treat friendship like it’s some weird cult, like “Hey, work associate, you are pleasant company. We are now friends, here is your list of new responsibilities.” If you want to be friends with someone because you get along really well, chances are they ALSO wouldn’t mind hanging around you. So for starters breathe a sigh of relief knowing you’re all in the same boat.

Also, have something to do. I hosted a bunch of stuff when I first moved here. I had a monthly board game night with some people at work and some other people. I’d cook snacks and mix drinks and slowly but surely worm my way into everyone’s lives (“Oh, yeah, I remember Daniel; he makes really good nachos and always seems to have alcohol. Let’s invite him over.”). You don’t need to host a board game night or anything, it could be as simple as saying “Hey (potential new friend), I’m volunteering (or going for a hike or going to happy hour or catching this cool band) this weekend- do you want to join?”

Friendship is a gradual thing, no one goes from friendly acquaintance to trusted confidant overnight.

EXCEPTION: I had no friends when I first moved here for about two months. Then Soren emailed me and said “Do you have any friends yet,” and I said no and he said “Okay we’ll be friends. There’s a party Friday, come, there will be girls there.”

I've been in L.A. for a few months and don't have many friends here. I'm pretty nervous in social situations, but I am still pretty good at meeting new people, but am not sure how to go from meeting a new person to actually establishing friendships. Any su

Making friends as an adult is very difficult (I’m currently in the slow process of converting a dog park acquaintance into a full-on friend). You can’t really fall back on the forced, automatic friendships that are born out of middle and high school (where you become friends with the people because you see each other every day and various social circles inevitably emerge) and it’s not like college, where there are so many clubs and activities specifically designed to connect people with similar passions, all roughly around the same age. You’re just out in the world.

I would say don’t overthink it. Everyone knows that making friends as an adult is already weird and hard; don’t make it weirder by putting too much thought into it. Don’t treat friendship like it’s some weird cult, like “Hey, work associate, you are pleasant company. We are now friends, here is your list of new responsibilities.” If you want to be friends with someone because you get along really well, chances are they ALSO wouldn’t mind hanging around you. So for starters breathe a sigh of relief knowing you’re all in the same boat.

Also, have something to do. I hosted a bunch of stuff when I first moved here. I had a monthly board game night with some people at work and some other people. I’d cook snacks and mix drinks and slowly but surely worm my way into everyone’s lives (“Oh, yeah, I remember Daniel; he makes really good nachos and always seems to have alcohol. Let’s invite him over.”). You don’t need to host a board game night or anything, it could be as simple as saying “Hey (potential new friend), I’m volunteering (or going for a hike or going to happy hour or catching this cool band) this weekend- do you want to join?”

Friendship is a gradual thing, no one goes from friendly acquaintance to trusted confidant overnight.

EXCEPTION: I had no friends when I first moved here for about two months. Then Soren emailed me and said “Do you have any friends yet,” and I said no and he said “Okay we’ll be friends. There’s a party Friday, come, there will be girls there.”

I've been in L.A. for a few months and don't have many friends here. I'm pretty nervous in social situations, but I am still pretty good at meeting new people, but am not sure how to go from meeting a new person to actually establishing friendships. Any su

Making friends as an adult is very difficult (I’m currently in the slow process of converting a dog park acquaintance into a full-on friend). You can’t really fall back on the forced, automatic friendships that are born out of middle and high school (where you become friends with the people because you see each other every day and various social circles inevitably emerge) and it’s not like college, where there are so many clubs and activities specifically designed to connect people with similar passions, all roughly around the same age. You’re just out in the world.

I would say don’t overthink it. Everyone knows that making friends as an adult is already weird and hard; don’t make it weirder by putting too much thought into it. Don’t treat friendship like it’s some weird cult, like “Hey, work associate, you are pleasant company. We are now friends, here is your list of new responsibilities.” If you want to be friends with someone because you get along really well, chances are they ALSO wouldn’t mind hanging around you. So for starters breathe a sigh of relief knowing you’re all in the same boat.

Also, have something to do. I hosted a bunch of stuff when I first moved here. I had a monthly board game night with some people at work and some other people. I’d cook snacks and mix drinks and slowly but surely worm my way into everyone’s lives (“Oh, yeah, I remember Daniel; he makes really good nachos and always seems to have alcohol. Let’s invite him over.”). You don’t need to host a board game night or anything, it could be as simple as saying “Hey (potential new friend), I’m volunteering (or going for a hike or going to happy hour or catching this cool band) this weekend- do you want to join?”

Friendship is a gradual thing, no one goes from friendly acquaintance to trusted confidant overnight.

EXCEPTION: I had no friends when I first moved here for about two months. Then Soren emailed me and said “Do you have any friends yet,” and I said no and he said “Okay we’ll be friends. There’s a party Friday, come, there will be girls there.”