Bridges 101

I need to build some bridges.

In my new neighbourhood I know precisely two human beings, two cats and one dog, and I live with all of them. I had a plan for generating a new social network when I arrived here, but for various reasons that hasn't panned out. Plan A was still useful - without Plan A I don't think I would have had the courage to up sticks and leave behind almost everyone I knew, but now I need a Plan B.

So, I am checking out the local adult learning stuff ... with the question "Who else might take a course like this?" ringing in my ears all the while.

So you think you can't draw? is the provocative title of one course ... and yes, I would certainly fit into that category, but I'm not sure I want to spend all my time hanging around with other people who can't draw either. Mmm. I'm going to take this class anyway, mostly because it scares the hell out of me, but it would be nice to have some Others around who can help with my homework in that department. I don't know why, but I really like people who can draw.

Ok, how about Creative Writing ... oh dear, there are 3 levels, am I a beginner or an intermediate? And who the hell is available at 10 am on a weekday morning? Ok, me, but these theoretical Others who are going to be my New Friends ... do I really expect them to have nothing in their diaries on a Tuesday? No. No. The Others will have jobs. That's out then.

So, ok, we're getting somewhere. The Others have jobs, or some sort of occupation at least, and they can already draw (or think they can). I've already established the queer-positive skew of the population attending the recycling center, but I can't very well hang around there all day every day. Just a few times a week or people will think it suspicious.

I used to belong to a football team in London, so I thought that was a possible avenue, but having looked at the pictures of the three local teams online, I find that, in contrast to the women I played with in the big smoke, they are all 18 years old with ponytails. Neither of these was on my checklist.

I have checked out the various organised groups for women and gay women around here. The trouble is, I'm just not Anything enough. I'm not Jewish, Catholic, Vegan, Under 25 or Over 40. I don't have a disability. I am not a single parent.

Ah. A reading group. Yes, I can read. Better - an over 30 women's reading group where I get to be the baby again - this feels good, as I'm the old hag in the house I live in. I want to be the one who can say "sorry, I don't remember that ... I was only three ... ".

So. Art classes for insecure wannabe sketchers. Youth affirming reading group. And, one final piece of the puzzle: Dog obedience classes. I mean, who wouldn't want to be my friend when I have a doggie who loves life as much as this:



Any further suggestions for meeting interesting open minded people gratefully received :)