i've pretty much given up
the social circle here is (or feels) very closed-in
folk have their friends and that's it

i've met plenty of people in different areas and events (even did meetups)
but it's not like they really welcome you into their circle
they become people you met at *such and such a place*
...it never really goes further than that
and i think its because they already have their crew
(and perhaps i have some role to play in this, i don't know).

i didnt realize the extent of this until i traveled to other places
and realized how much easier it is to make friends... you connect with people, they invite you to things, you get to meet their circle etc.
its been a bit different here (and yes, i've had numerous convos about this- which is why i concluded that's just the way things are around here)
i think i'm at the point where i'm ready to move to somewhere else.
not sure where though.