I think you're right that more socially oriented activities are the ideal. The particulars of my sitch meant that I was already isolated both socially and geographically. The night I went out to see live music? There *wasn't* anyone who could go with me, so I went myself.
However, if you look at a good half of those activities, even though they weren't planned as joint events, they took me to locations such as bookstores and galleries where I would have the opportunity to *meet* like minded folk.
The trouble with having an open mind is that people put things in it.
My sitch - Divorce Busted! http://www.divorcebusting.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1804137#Post1804137
