People are all unique and have their special qualities, but you don’t necessarily “connect” with everyone you meet. I for one enjoy meeting new people immensely, if it could be called a hobby it would be among my top five. I can’t sum up people, I’m terrible at sun signs, and half the time I mess up conversations and misinterpret things. But with certain people none of that matters. You don’t need the regular introductions or formalities. You only have one chance to make a first impression on someone and there are those special people where everything about them impresses you. No, not infatuation, not love at first sight, just connection. You talk without trying to bring up subjects, you enjoy each others company without hesitation. It’s a great experience, to be savored each time it happens.

You see, I think watching a movie is like meeting someone. You don’t know what the movies going to be like half the time, maybe someone has told you about it and you have a preconceived idea of how good it is, or bad. You grab some popcorn and take a seat. And sometimes you sit there wondering what excuse you could give to slip away, and yes, that is a sad waste of an evening. But at other times, you sit enthralled. There is so much that you can relate too, you wonder if your thoughts had been read before hand. You laugh, at times you just know what’s coming next, at others you are pleasantly surprised. It’s an experience, and you leave the room thinking on the events. Sometimes it was so good you simply have to do it again. It leaves you with a good feeling.

But there is a common setback … shyness. I was once a very shy person. To start a conversation with someone outside of my circle of associates was torture. Much like a car trying to start in cold weather: there’s the initial “sputter”, the first try, and then the second “cough, sputter”, worse than the first and clearly showing this won’t work. And if tried at again, there is a harsh “cough, sputter, splat” signaling death. Don’t worry though, it happens to the best of us. What I always found was important was to get totally on the other persons level. Like at kids parties. You don’t say, “Hello, I’m Bobo the clown and our program today will include …etc.” to a child. The child will look at you like the hired help you are and from then on keep a safe, 200 meter distance. No, you do something like this … walk over with blown up balloon, “Hi, kids, I was really busy but my friend here the balloon wanted to say hi to the … “PEEP” (the balloon) Hey I wasn’t ready to introduce you … “PEEEEEEP” why you!!” Fight ensues with balloon with me the ultimate loser, leaving the kids laughing and sure to be happy to talk with you the rest of the party.

Ok, maybe that was a bad example but basically you just say something you know they like or if you can’t figure something out at least something concerning them. It really isn’t difficult. And if you don’t, you really may be missing out on one of the best hobbies there is.