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around the corner where two strangers meet over coffee

deuxcroissants

She / Her

Oakland, CA

deuxcroissants's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
Mid-30s, pretty settled in my career, and have a fantastic community of friends and family in and outside of the Bay. I'm single, searching for a long-term partner, and am looking to expand my circle/community (in all ways!).
How's your life?
Zooming out, it's pretty good! Sometimes I feel like a kid still, just with more money and responsibilities. I never thought I'd laugh this much as an adult!
I'm quite happy with my day to day life, but when I'm 80 and reflecting on my life, I want to feel fulfilled and content and like I squeezed a lot of love, meaning, gratitude, purpose, and memories into it. So I'm always looking for ways to add more of those things!
What helps you keep your sanity?
Being outside, hiking, cycling, beach volleyball; croissants, berries, pizza, sushi, dark roast coffee; tall mountains + glacial lakes; traveling; finding great bakeries in small little towns; a heavy dose of laughing with friends and family balanced with a few minutes of introvert time per day
What is most important to you right now?
Spending meaningful time with family and friends while developing new connections and relationships, including finding a long-term partner.
Seeing the outdoors and exploring new places.
Understanding myself and understanding others. Continuous self-reflection and growth.
Anything you recently found interesting?
I still can't wrap my head around how large the number 52! is (the number of unique ways you can shuffle a deck of cards)
deuxcroissants
@Amaranthine: travel-wise, Alaska! Loved how vast and massive it feels. And the glaciers! Local: Oakland's newest croissant place, Forma!
Hygge
Sent a request. Would love to check out any good bakery - found a few in Berkeley recently :)
What's one thing you wish you could unlearn?
Asked by

CH

dot
San Jose
Honestly despite the bad side of the internet I’ve seen and learned about I don’t wish to unlearn anything. Because of what I’ve learned I’ve become who I am now and I’m proud of not being perfect but achieving what I want instead of what others want out of me.
That my worth and value are based on what others think of me. I'm trying to learn how to love myself and develop a secure attachment style.
dot
Richmond
I wish I could unlearn how cruel and horrible people can be when they think they are better than others

Borgleman

He / Him

Mountain View, CA

Borgleman's photo

The resident troublemaker

Where are you at in your life stage?
I'm 30ish and I've been working as a mechanical engineer for ~5 years. I am married and we have a small Russian tortoise. In terms of life stage, I've felt that I've been in a transitional phase since college, and am finally beginning to feel more established. I get a lot out of meeting new people but have found it tricky to establish in a community since the pandemic, so I am excited to meet some new folks through Around the Corner!
How's your life?
Things are going alright. Work is not bad and I am pretty happy with my core group of people. I have not been able to get outdoors as much as I would like. It has been challenging for my wife and I to balance taking our of our pets with return-to-office, and our dog has been needing lots of medical care. But otherwise, things are going well and I have good activities to keep the psych up.
What helps you keep your sanity?
My main activity is rock climbing which I have been doing since 2011, both outside and in the gym. I multipitch and sport climb but am a boulderer at heart. I'm happy to go climbing with new people, and if we click well, I definitely don't mind "playing guide." Every day out (with no injuries) is a good day!
I also play guitar as well as work on my own guitars. I've done a kit build and do all my own fret work/replacement, so not quite enough to say I build guitars.
Finally, I don't play many video games, but I have been playing Super Smash Bros on the Switch, for the last couple years, honestly putting in more hours than I would like!
What is most important to you right now?
In terms of personal growth, I am looking to expand my social circle and make new friends! I am also somewhat trying to evaluate my current career path and get myself to push growth or change when needed. I am trying to be more deliberate with my climbing routine and reach goals for this season, next year, etc. In terms of my day-to-day, the high priority has been making sure the pets are doing well, maintaining the home, and spending quality time with my wife, family, and friends.
Anything you recently found interesting?
The bananas you find at the grocery store are a variety called the Cavendish. Previously, the mainstream banana was a larger, tastier variety called the Gros Michel. The artificial banana flavor is apparently based on the Gros Michel's flavor. The Cavendish was regarded as a "junk banana" but replaced the Gros Michel in the 1920s when the Gros Michel was largely wiped out by disease. You can still find Gros Michel bananas in tropical areas or order them for a high price, but make sure you use a trusted banana dealer, as unscrupulous sellers will try to pass off hybrids as the real thing.
nicholas
That's really interesting history about bananas! Thanks for sharing. Rock climbing and Super Smash Bros. are my jam, but I prefer Melee :). If I were in the Bay Area, I would be a good person to connect with. Cheers, mate.
Borgleman
Thanks, appreciate it!

TheConstantGardener

She / Her

San Francisco, CA

TheConstantGardener's photo

A moment captured at base camp during my attempt to summit Shasta via Hotlum Glacier route

Where are you at in your life stage?
I’m in my mid 30s, married. Recently quit my job to take a career break. Exploring things that I always put off due to lack of time - beginning with learning piano.
How's your life?
I don’t have much of a routine as of yet, earlier it was mostly dictated by my job, now I am rebuilding it. Generally weekends are quite chill where I try to spend time with my husband. Mornings are typically slower, more active during later part of the day with coffee runs, walks in the neighborhood, cooking.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Nature walks, music, art, a clean home.
What is most important to you right now?
My health and finding a community of friends - I wanna build a daily routine that I can consistently follow, with habits that truly fulfill me (exercising, walking, meditation and journaling) and get me ready for the day. I have realized it’s really hard to develop long lasting adult friendships- most of my old friends have been separated by time or distance and I am looking to make new ones.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Afro soul music - so cool, always uplifts my mood and makes me wanna move. Some of my most played tracks are Antidote by Nao, Essence by Wizkid, Commas and Rush by Ayra Star, Corny by Rema.
S4revelu2
@TheConstantGardener you're welcomeee :)))
dragon_tales
Have you bagged Shasta yet 🙃

Rook

He / Him

Mountain View, CA

Rook's photo

My favorite photo I took in Antarctica. The trip changed a lot in my life for the better.

Where are you at in your life stage?
My wife and I are in our early 30s and trying to settle into the bay after moving here in 2022. I've been in my career doing commodities consulting for over a decade and am trying to grow more outside of my career. Kids are in the plans for the next few years, but currently child-free.
How's your life?
In many ways it's great, but since moving to the bay establishing a social circle has been challenging. Working from home only compounds that.
What helps you keep your sanity?
Traveling and getting away from work. My wife and I try to make many small trips throughout the year with some bigger ones. Enjoy as much of our youth until kids make travel harder. I became adept at getting cheap/free travel when I traveled regularly for work, so playing that game and planning the next vacation is my favorite daydream.
What is most important to you right now?
Right now getting my wife and I to feel more at home in the Bay Area is my biggest priority. We've been here for more than 18 months but haven't found many close friendships.
Anything you recently found interesting?
It's an hour faster to fly SFO-London than it is SFO-Tokyo. The scale of the Pacific is just insane and makes the success of the Polynesian explorers seem impossible.
JuicySundriedtomato1
That sounds fantastic! It's great that you and your wife make time for both small and big trips throughout the year. We plan to stay locally in California this year and explore more the state parks. Do you have any exciting trips lined up soon?

Pocketmonstr

He / Him

San Francisco, CA

Pocketmonstr's photo

Heaven on Earth (aka Heavenly)

Where are you at in your life stage?
Happy in San Francisco, but most of my close friends have left. I’d like to get out of my bubble of loose friends, and develop some deeper friendships with people who live very close, where we can have more spontaneous dinners / hangouts
How's your life?
Overall, quite good. I'm in the midst of job searching which has been hectic, but I think I'm finally coming to the tail end of it. I would like to be spending more time on my physical therapy and am optimistic that once the job search settles I'll be able to do that and heal my body...as well as have some more time to try rebuild my community in SF
What helps you keep your sanity?
Fitness & Outdoors: Tennis, pickleball, yoga, gym, walks in parks, hiking, skiing Indoor stuffs: Reading, writing, board/card games, eating (out :))
Mostly tennis though!
What is most important to you right now?
Meeting new, interesting people, and especially ones who live close to me, and/or play tennis!
Anything you recently found interesting?
I’ve gotten super sucked into the world of Cosmere (Brandon Sanderson fictional book saga )
artsada
I've been recommended Brandon Sanderson but I haven't had a chance to get into his books yet. Which series would you recommend? Sent you a coffee request!
MinorMapillai
Brandy Sandy is fantastic, I was introduced to him through Stormlight but haven't caught up with the larger Cosmere yet unfortunately. Where do you usually play tennis in the city? Sent a coffee request!

wordsreally

She / Her

San Francisco, CA

wordsreally's photo
Where are you at in your life stage?
Recently got laid off from work so my days are currently free and unstructured as I plan my next move.
I spend a lot of my days drinking tea, vegging out on my couch with book in hand, eating delicious things, taking photos of beautiful things, and being obsessed with an orange cat on the internet named Jorts.
How's your life?
Surviving the chaos, you know how it is! Me and my plants.
What helps you keep your sanity?
I got back into gardening after a long hiatus, and I am officially in my grandma/cottage core era. I can't believe how much I miss it. Playing with dirt and soil feels so primal that it teleports me straight back to my childhood.
What is most important to you right now?
It's definitely not a career, or family, but real connections. I want to cultivate deep and fulfilling relationships, but unfortunately this has been difficult to achieve for the same reasons why it's hard to make friends post college.
Anything you recently found interesting?
Anything I recently found interesting?
Around the Corner! Love the concept.
pluginmuse
I love Jorts! Have any cats of your own?
Hygge
I'm currently learning how to grow my vegetable garden (basically anything besides cactus). Would love to connect.
Has anyone had a successful IRL meetup from this community?
Asked by

MrsPiggy

dot
Mountain View
I'm at 1/2 so far. The first attempt didn't work since we weren't able to find a time :( but the second time worked :)
dot
San Jose
I’m 2/2! Got to meet two great people on here!
dot
San Mateo
@Amaranthine Aw that is wonderful! I have yet to meet up with anyone, but I think part of the problem is I keep missing the notifications!
dot
Saratoga
@Amaranthine Hope you had a great time with your fellow strangers ☕️
dot
Daly City
@Amaranthine sameeeee!!
dot
San Jose
@MrsPiggy i can understand that. the only way i made it work was by sending a comment to the person i was sending a coffee request together to make it work
dot
Saratoga
Yes, I've met a lot of great humans since Around The Corner started :)
dot
Daly City
@CH 🥹

lowlyworm

She / Her

Los Angeles, CA

lowlyworm's photo

I went to a 35mm showing of Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity <333

Where are you at in your life stage?
I’m a 20 y/o undergraduate student studying psychology in Los Angeles! I’m a SoCal native but I haven’t explored as much of LA as I’d like to—I’d like to change that and make a friend or two in the process!
How's your life?
Just trying to balance school, internships, and finding time to meet people from all walks of life :)
What helps you keep your sanity?
Creating (I illustrate/design sometimes!), reading (memoirs, fantasy, mystery), and watching every movie under the sun at any local LA theaters (favorites: Princess Mononoke, Tampopo, Ocean’s Eleven).
I also loveee walking and traveling around LA when I have the time and resources to do so (I tend go alone via my college transit pass lol).
What is most important to you right now?
Being secure in who I am! Whether that be through career development, helping my community, or making closer connections with my friends (and potential friends!)—I just want to put myself out there more often, especially as an infp :,)
Anything you recently found interesting?
Not sure what to say here…but you should stream this song (it’s one of my favorites! the character as well 🐈‍⬛): https://open.spotify.com/track/6VTnxajMD15WSIkbrtpw7e?si=qggEvJmoRNCc526KkNE76g
lowlyworm
@grateful1 I plan to do communications for creative industries, with a focus on working directly with communities that need it most :) so I’m looking into working with nonprofits and public arts sectors!
fuzz
Traversing LA by metro is so fun and rewarding There is always something new to discover, What are you reading?