Due to the industrial revolution (my excuse, but it's real, I think,) I've lost contact with many: High school, college, work, neighborhood and family friends. Consequently I'm planning a high school class reunion at my cottage this June. Some will attend, not a huge crowd, I think, but some. And heard from a college friend on fb today; we'll meet up if I ever return to Ohio.

No 'good riddance,' Tobin, I'm sure.

I'm originally from Dayton. I live in Smalltownsville, Indiana now.

born in Manhattan, lived in Brooklyn til 8 years old, moved to Long Island where graduated from high school, attended Miami U (to 'see the world!!!') moved to Chicago thereafter (to see MORE of the world,) lived in Chicago for 10+ years where attended law school, and after a few years, moved to DC for a job (after decided didn't want to open my own law office in Chicago.) Worked for fed govt, retired when my agency shrank, and now in MD suburbs of DC.

Attended funeral in Dayton (area) as husband grew up there, so have family in/around Dayton.

So I 'blame' the industrial revolution for wrenching me/us away from our roots. I'm happy, however, to be here in MD:

You made the choice!

I did, too. I did it for love. You did it for adventure. I've also had my share of adventure.

I don't live far from Miami University. It's a very good school. Some consider it Ivy League quality here in the Midwest. I've been kicking around joining a Toastmasters group that meets on campus.

You have a very nice view from your cottage. I bet the fishing is good there.

Haven't been back to Oxford in many years. If you go, please bring a camera with you and take some pics!

Yes, great view from the cottage, and good fishing and crabs too! Trawlers I see on the river I suspect bring their catch to restaurants nearby.

Dusting off my camera now in preparation. I've been looking for a good excuse to take some pictures.

An old friend called me out of the blue a few weeks ago. We've been talking occasionally on the phone since then. It's nice having the shared experiences from a few years ago. We're going to meet some time this year too. The real life stuff often trumps the social media stuff. But the social media stuff also shows that people do crave interaction with others. Especially if it leads to real offline interaction. Have fun!

I spend all my time with my pets. They love me, we rarely disagree.

Like I said in the OP, some people have more need for human interaction than others.

I'm not a particularly outgoing person. I used to live without personal contact with people for long periods of time. It's the nature of a lot of trucking jobs. I was okay with living like that. However, I've found that now days I want to expand my personal connections as much as I can. I have a couple of reasons for that. I also do a lot more favors than I used to.

However, if you need a break you're more likely to get one if you know more people. The price is that you are also more likely to be the source of a break for someone else, but I'll happily do it. It makes life more complicated, but it's worth it to me.