And then there was one

I wrote a bit on what it's like to have less and less people show up in my last blog post, so I don't want to rehash the same maudlin sentiments. Though I am still disappointed by the lack of attendance and it has grown more embarrassing each week as I write emails that I know no one will respond to. It's frustrating and, unfortunately, sometimes pisses me off. I guess I finally know how my RA felt when her Harry Potter themed pumpkin carving invite emails fell on my deaf ears. But that's enough for self pity. At least I don't spend one hour every Friday sitting alone.

Last Friday, Sarah attended my Chat Cafe session. I was excited for two reasons. Firstly, my sessions would finally regain the shape of a Chat Cafe session, with more than two people talking to one another. And secondly, I was happy for Jesse (the lone remnant of that initial venture taken in late September) since he could finally interact with other students rather than just talk to me for an hour. When we all met at the Union, I could tell Jesse was excited just to have someone else to talk to. As Sarah can attest to, I didn't really have (and never really had) any guiding schedule or plans. I typically treat Jesse as I would a coworker I met with outside of work or a budding acquaintance. Sometimes, when I hear about some of the games and regimented activities that other students do during that sessions makes me wonder if that is perhaps the right approach. I was pretty critical of this sort of stuff in an earlier blog post, but now that I hear that the facilitators who use these methods don't have trouble with attendance to the degree I do. I know Scott told me not to get to critical and start blaming myself but I think looking and examining the manner in which I conduct these sessions is important. I'm going to bring cards to my next session and introduce Jesse (and whoever else shows up) to la Viuda. I learned the game in El Salvador but I think in the US it's called Whiskey Poker.