Why I don't go out as often and why I'm a lousy friend.
I seldom go out, anymore. Even when the husband's band is playing. When I go out I want to hear music, I want to laugh and have a good time. It never works out that way.
I went out to celebrate the reopening of The Bird Cage (the husband's band was playing, so double good reason). I was assaulted by every friggin' person that hadn't seen me in months. Not because they wanted to 'catch up' or talk about how great it was that 'our bar' had reopened, how awesome the husband's band was, or even politics. No, I was inundated with relationship drama. I lost my temper with one of my closest friends and basically told her I didn't fucking care. The guy she was whining about (and has been for at least 6 years) is a close friend. She accused me of always taking his side. There's a good reason for that.
I only heard maybe 2 songs, was mentally wiped out by the end of the nite and just pissed off. It wasn't just the women, I had some of my old male friends doing the same thing. Most of them I was able to sneak away from, but two were determined to lock me down and destroy my will to live.
In the past, I've explained nicely how I really would like to hear the band, that I don't get out much and just want to have a good time and relax. They all get that same 'I stabbed them in the forehead' look. Once the current song is over, they figure it's time to restart the drama. "Can I just ask your opinion on one thing?"
Kill me.
I did manage to escape for a few minutes to head to another bar to hear a good friend play. Stayed for the break and got to have a non-drama conversation about music. But, they followed me there, so it was a short-lived respite.
I have to do it again on July 5th. Maybe I'll be lucky and the world will end before then. 
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Actually, I cut off all my hair and they still recognized me!
Hopefully, the besties husband will make it out on the 5th. He's the best damned drama-blocker I know. They weren't there on Saturday because they're lousy friends, too. 
It'll get easier ... going out. The people you know will run out of things to catch-you-up-on. Except for the constant complainers. Good luck on having a blocker along next time. 
there is this person, and every single day they just have to do this thing. It pisses me off so much, but then nobody else ever seems to notice! WTF?! Do you think they are just assholes or what?
sorry everybody you know thinks you are their personal drama shit sponge, that sucks for sure. no wonder you avoid going out,
They always tell me my advice sucks. Apparently, people don't like to be told to take personal responsibility for their own fucked up situations.
Everyone would walk around looking like they were sucking on tampons.
While I attract the lunatic fringe, they rarely whine or complain and will always let me listen to the music. 
There must be a way to communicate your desire to enjoy the music and pleasant conversation. You could try going to a psychiatrists office and grabbing a bunch of cards to hand out!
we had a cabin up toward Thumb Butte
my nieces and nephews and their kids still go up for weekends and drive by the old cabin
I'd love to see The Jukes!!! If I can get there, I most certainly will!
Had some good times at the Cage and Matt's and the airport and the rodeo and the horse track and the golf course and, and, and.... 
am certainly jealous
any jobs up there?
The husband's band is playing. I choose which of his shows to go carefully. There are a lot of people here that don't annoy me, it's just that those that do are more 'aggressive' (needy would be a better word) and tend to monopolize my time. As I mentioned, I go out to hear music, laugh and have a good time.
I've already decided to tell them in advance that I want a drama free evening and that I don't have time to be anyone's therapist.
This has nothing to do with 'other people liking me'. I like myself just fine.
