that time I almost went to a concert alone

Last week I went to an outdoor Mumford and Sons concert -- which was incredible, pictures below! -- with a new friend of mine down here. We decided to go together last minute but during the days leading up to it I was really close to going alone. 

A few days before the show I had an over-dramatic text conversation with another friend of mine, who is also in a new city so she understands what it’s like, though she’s there for law school so it’s a slightly different experience. We talked for a while about whether or not I should do it. Tickets were cheap-ish and I had missed seeing Mumford the past two times they were in DC which I continued to kick myself for. These were some of the factors that clearly screamed, “do it!” 

The downside was of course that I would be in an awesome setting, surrounded by hundreds of people, but without anyone with whom to personally share and enjoy the experience. This is a classic feeling I know people can have when they are all by themselves in a really big city like New York City, surrounded by thousands of people, but never feeling more alone. 

I was lucky that a few days before the concert I was grilling out with some friends and after the third time I causally (aka it probably was not all that causal) mentioned the upcoming concert/asked if anyone was going or wanted to go, one of the guys there said yes. We exchanged numbers and ended up getting tickets the next day.

As we were leaving the concert I told him that I had been considering going alone. Walking out of the park we tried to imagine what it would have been like for me. We agreed it would have been awkward. And while it would have been do-able I was glad that I didn’t go alone. Truth told I am not sure I would have had fun. 

I was hoping that during the show I would have realized that yes, I could have in fact gone on my own and had a blast. Maybe I would have met new people or had a romantic encounter on a blanket with an attractive southern guy who I would start dating, marry, and have the most amazing story for my children of how their mother and father met (sorry, unrelated twenty-something girl fantasy). But I think I would have just stood awkwardly by myself in the back. I would have been so preoccupied with appearing as if I was waiting for someone since I would be utterly convinced that everyone around me would be wondering what the cute, little blonde girl was doing at a concert by herself when in reality no one would have cared, or probably even noticed. 

Even though I want there to be no hurdles to moving to a new place provided that you’re open enough, the fact of the matter is that there are. You just have to do your best to find ways around them. Put yourself out there, try new things, and at the end of the day you’ll find a way to make it all -- or at least what you really want -- work.

Now a few pics...

Probably where I would have stood if I went alone (the back)

Yup, I Instragramed this one

No filter

No filter again

things I love: 3 day weekends

Wrapping up a 3 day weekend down here in GA. I was actually going back and forth on whether I should leave town but decided to stay even without fully blown-out plans since I firmly believe when trying to get yourself situated and happy in a new environment you need to be physically present as much as possible. Consider: how are you supposed to make new friends and have fun, last minute adventures without being around?

I admitted to a friend of mine that this could leave me with zilch to do (good news, it didn't) but that was a risk I felt I had to take.

So how have I spent my long weekend in Atlanta? Well...

Friday I had a welcomed evening on the couch doing nothing. Completely exhausted from week 4 of my new job I think I might have had 2 glasses of wine and was out like a light. I also ate these personalized M&Ms from my friend Jessie’s bachelorette party from the other weekend.

Notice all THREE of my paper cuts??

Saturday I was productive and went to the gym then ran a few errands in the morning including getting my eyebrows threaded by a woman who I think I will be going to on a regular basis (eyebrow care is big for me). Jabeen of Jabeen Nail Care received rave reviews on Yelp for her threading services and was less expensive than I was used to so I thought I’d try her out and am happy with the work she did!

Later on in the day I met some friends at a bar to watch college football games. This picture about sums up the day; it’s probably for the best that no other photos were taken.

(Shades came home with me, hat was returned)

Sunday I had to retrieve my car which I left overnight at a bar (I am really, really against impaired driving), stocked up on groceries, then had a lazy day.

Got a little treat in the evening when there were some fireworks set off nearby which I could see perfectly from my balcony! Like every red-blooded American I love fireworks so this was a nice Sunday surprise.

See the teensy B of A building to the left of the lights?!

Monday has been pretty productive as well. I have been saying for a while now that I want to learn how to play golf in Georgia so today I found a posting on craigslist for inexpensive, used starter sets. I ended up getting a complete set, extra drivers, a bag (this totally amazing neon teal retro bag with hot pink accents!), and balls for $60. This man Albert runs a little operation out of his garage (stay with me here…) which at first seems a bit sketchy but it actually is not. He doesn’t have a website but his craigslist ad will presumable be up for a while. Check it out if you’re in the market for used clubs in good condition, he also gave me a few pointers and has some funny stories to tell: Garage Golf Operation (feel free to email me if it expires)

Back to the grind tomorrow. I like a routine so I am looking forward to getting back into the swing of things and I am hoping to continue to feel more and more settled at work and in the city. I also think I will have a few golf adventures to look forward to.

So happy end of Labor Day Weekend friends near and far. I hope this post helps people consider all that can be accomplished and enjoyed during a long weekend stay-cation even if you are just building new networks in a new city!