My Meet-up Adventure

This is one of those posts that I had written and then forgotten to publish, so it’s slightly old news, but still funny.

I think I mentioned already that I started a Meet-up group to have people to go dancing with (because John really doesn’t want to dance). The advantage of starting the group myself, is I get to choose the events. I prefer outdoor patios and plazas, and I’m starting to get familiar with the local bands.

I scheduled our first meet-up at St. Philips plaza, where there are 3 restaurants, a large plaza with a stage, and regular live music. I chose a night where they had a band I knew was danceable, and posted the event.

The day before the event, a guy posted to the group saying he was legally blind and asking for detailed directions. I wondered how he would find us, but I posted directions as best I could. Of course there was no way for me to know ahead of time what table we would be seated at, but I created a table sign and posted a picture of that for everyone. But I didn’t know how much good that would do him.

On the night of the event, I got there half an hour early because I knew there can be a wait for a plaza table (and we can’t reserve them ahead). Sure enough, there was a half hour wait. So I sat on a bench in the front to wait. I was quite nervous about the whole thing. I didn’t know any of the people coming and had no idea how it was all going to work out.

After a bit, I noticed an elderly man getting out of a taxi cab. He stood on the curb, a little hunched over with a backpack on his back, and looked around vaguely. I realized he could be my legally blind meet-up member. I went up and asked, “Michael?” He was so relieved. And I have no idea how he would have found us, had I been seated somewhere at all the tables in the plaza.

We got seated and people trickled in, found my table sign, and soon I had a decent sized group. Everyone was super nice, and they all helped out with keeping an eye out for Michael, who could see well enough to find the dance floor on his own (aim for the stage), but could not find our table coming back.

At the end of the evening, Michael asked for a ride home to save on cab fare. I was the only one going in his direction, so I agreed to do it. Although I didn’t really want to be tagged as Michael’s designated ride from here on out for all our upcoming events. But I figured I’d worry about that later. I got him home safe and myself home safe, and called the whole night a success.

Then I scheduled our next Meet-up at the same venue, but a different band. A couple of days before the event, Michael posted to the entire group and said, “Can somone give me a ride from Grant and Campbell area? I’m legally blind and don’t drive. But not in your car Kristina. I had a problem with the exhaust smell.“

It was the funniest message I’ve seen in a long time and I’m still rolling on the ground laughing. He posted that to everyone! “But not in your car, Kristina”. I’ve been fired from the task of providing free rides to near-strangers! How low can I go?

I sent the message to John saying maybe I don’t want to replace my Mini Cooper after all (we’ve been meaning to replace it, because it’s getting quite old). And John replied, “It’s a FEATURE!” So it’s our big joke now. My car is so bad, people would rather pay for a cab than bum a ride with me. So now I don’t have to give people rides.

Although this spring when I had good friend come visit and I was talking about getting a new car, she politely suggested I not buy another Mini Cooper. (Right, Tracey?) LOL.

Also thanks to Tracey for the great photo of lights at night that I’m using on the Meet-up site. I actually think Tracey’s daughter Amy took the photo, so thanks, Amy.

And thanks to all of you who have been willing to ride in my car recently!

To send me a comment, email turning51bykristina@gmail.com.

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