Dear PDX Advice Guy,
Spring is in the air and I’m supposed to be happy, but I’m not. I’m lonely and really would like to go out and do some things with friends and that’s the problem, I don’t have any friends. I’m really shy and have a hard time opening up to people. I don’t know what to say or what to do. I just go to work, do my job, go home to my dog and that’s it. I’m not totally unhappy (there’s always comic books LOL), but I want to get out more. Help me Advice Guy, you’re my only hope!
-SR, Southeast
Lucky lucky girl there SR! You’re in southeast! It’s TOTALLY a hip place to hang out. Let’s see what we can do here…
First off, you’ve got the Bagdad Theater. It’s a great place for an impromptu meetup (whether with people you know, or have no clue who the hell they are). Grab an Edgefield Wheat and chomp down on a Captain Neon burger and settle in for a great second-run film. You can’t beat the price and the atmosphere is awesome. Plus everyone’s pretty chummy there, so you might even make a friend or two. Heck, I’ve whiled away many an afternoon just hanging out and watching folks walk up and down Hawthorne. You absolutely cannot go wrong with an institution like McMenamins.
Of course, there’s also the BridgePort Ale House, Sapphire Hotel, Apizza Scholls, and -if you feel like getting just a wee smidge off Hawthorne- there’s also Pix for desserts that are almost too pretty to consume (but trust me, you’ll still eat them).
So now you’re stuffed and high on sugar. What now? Well, there’s always shopping. The southeast area has a TON of great shops that cover almost anything you can think of. A personal favorite of mine is Alteration Nation. I love the gothy stuff (I’m shallow, after all) and this is THE place to see it. But perhaps you aren’t into cyberpunk (*gasp!*)? Then there’s other boutique store and even home stores to help decorate your pad and make it more party-friendly since you’re bound to meet people walking the area on a weekend. By the way, take a quick trip inside Greg’s in order to find those hard-to-get home decorations. Granted, I’m biased cause that just so happens to be my name too!
You said something about having a pooch? Well, aren’t you in luck. There’s a fantastic off-leash dog park that will allow both you and your happy hound to get out and enjoy the brief flings of sunny weather that decides to occasionally grace PDX. You can also check out and see if there are any upcoming events over at Portland Pooch events section.
So SR. There’s just a brief sampling of what’s out there. I’ve only touched upon a TINY amount of what’s out there for you to do in the SE. I’m sure the exceptional OurPDX readers will be quick and happy to point out their favorite SE destinations and even offer their take on the area. So don’t hesitate to get out there SR, there’s LOTS for you to do!
PS: Comic books? Trust me, you are not alone…
And now I turn it over to you, dear OurPDX readers. Why not help SR out with your ideas and suggestions. Perhaps you’ve got your own quandary to deal with and need some help? Why not send me an email or even follow me on Twitter! See y’all Wednesday!
{ 3 comments }
PDX Advice guy has obviously never lived in a city alone. Here’s advice from a shy girl. Volunteer. With Hands-on-Portland you can try out different groups without committing to a regular gig. Something about working together for a cause that fosters friendship.
I’d agree with casey. The best way to stop being lonely and miserable (I say this from experience) is to do something for someone else.
Whether that’s feeding the hungry, volunteering at your local elementary, or even working with the Oregon Humane Society, focusing on what you can do for others will make you feel better and will introduce you to some genuinely nice people.
@case and @SW
Couldn’t agree more. While I’ve never been much of a volunteer (only having helped at a couple events here and there), I do agree that it’s a great way to get out and meet folks. Portland is absolutely packed with great volunteer opportunities. Great suggestions!
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