So yeah, like the title says, I was booted from a meetup.  Hard to believe, I know, as meetups are mostly public, and anyone can go to them. I used to think back in the day, "I wonder if anyone has ever been kicked out of something like this. That would be a real accomplishment, like how does that happen?"

Well now I know. I have to admit I was pretty astounded. I've gone on and off to them for 15 years or so, I'm in a foreign language meetup, a singles group, and a hiking group. This was board games. I had joined it after the pandemic as I needed a change and wanted something where I didn't have to be going just to a bar. What I don't understand is that I thought I was friends with the organizer. We had a lot of interesting and pleasant chats over the years and I felt that we were friends. I guess I was wrong. The only thing that I noticed was that he seemed 'Type A' about his meetup.  If you didn't come exactly on time and stay for five or six hours, or if you got distracted, or the game was a little complex for you, he got irritated and annoyed.  He had posted one day on the platform that he was having drama in his group, that people from other gaming groups were crashing his and creating drama, He stated that he would be sending people like this away.  I never had any incidents. I thought that was odd and wanted to stay away. I had almost quit going because he got so uptight over little things. Other people had remarked this about him.

I was just there at the beginning of March, it was alright. So odd because we seemed to have a meaningful conversation. One of the men in the group asked me out and the last time I saw him, he asked me how that went for me, he was being nice and pleasant. We also talked about career. I was glad to chat with a friend.  I was not always good at all of these games, and this last meetup it was all men and just me. He was being bossy, telling everyone "Pay attention' and stuff like that. Odd.

I was really shocked when I logged in and saw the phrase "You have been removed" on the radio button for his group. I was so stunned and hurt. I felt sad and rejected. I've encountered rejection before in my life, but not at groups like this.  I used to be grateful that the group was there, after I became single, I was glad there was something to do on Saturdays. I sorta felt like I was rejected from some other friends and my ex, so I was glad this was here. I was blown away when I saw this message. Like I'm being rejected from this too?  I'm thinking, "Damn what is wrong with me?"  I mean I had just talked to the guy and he was so friendly....

I wrote him a private message, saying that I really apologized for anything that I might have said or done, and that I wish I knew the reason why, and I that I kinda wished he would have at least tried to talk to me first or just been open. I had no idea he had a specific problem with me, I thought we were friends!  I told him I enjoyed the game nights and that I regret it, but that I wish him well and respect his choice.

I wish I knew why...nothing ever really happened, I considered him a friend, that was the worst part.  I think it's garbage, that it's petty and ridiculous, that he was just way too uptight about what he expected from game night. I frequently felt pressured when I was there, but I met a lot of cool people.  I have never had something like this happen to me before in a club-type of atmosphere, I have to say it is a first, and it does make me feel bad.  Time to move on, I think there is better out there. This is silly