That’s right, 2015 is on it’s way and marks a new horizon of exciting things to come for everybody here at MixingOut. Yep, it’s all about getting out more, meeting new and exciting people and having a great 2015.

And to get the ball rolling, we’re pleased to announce that MixingOut will be expanding to Nottingham as of January next year!

Nottingham joins in the fun

That’s right, Nottingham joins the MixingOut fun as of 2015. We’ve already taken a good look around the city and visited some of the friendliest bars, clubs and venues we think would make excellent places for groups to meet up and hang out (more about those venues coming soon on our website).

MixingOut has seen massive success in Derby since we launched there earlier this year, with over a thousand members using our social network, and now we’re very excited to be taking the party to Nottingham. We’ll be rolling out events at the start of the new year, beginning with our ever-popular ‘Ladies That Lunch’ sometime in the near future – so keep an eye out for that, ladies of Nottingham!

So, if you’re new to Nottingham and looking to meet new friends, or if you already live in the city and feel like trying something different, meeting up with lots of new people who just want to have a good time, then sign-up to MixingOut and get a heads-up on the latest goings on near you. Click here to sign up for one of the 250 FREE accounts that are available.

In the meantime, be sure top keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter for further developments and MixingOut News.

Whilst you aren’t going to find yourself in nowhere near as a precarious situation as a gangland shooting, it’s still worth brushing up on the appropriate vernacular for your next MixingOut get-together. So with that being said, we’ve put together some useful slang that should see you in good stead nicely…. maybe.

Brofie (Bro-fee)

A “selfie” with your bro. In other words, a picture that’s been taken on your smartphone of you (by you) and another guy, in full-on “selfie” pose.

There’s probably a female equivalent but an all girl selfie is such a regular occurrence, there doesn’t seem a need to give it a name. Sorry, ladies.

Oskilio (Osk-ee-leo)

Taken from the Alpha, Bravo Alphabet; Oskilio combines Oscar and Kilo to mean O.K. (as in everything is okay) and mashes it together with “coolio” – a painfully outdated term meaning pretty much the same thing.

We predict it will be HUGE, quickly making its way into the English dictionary along with “selfie” and “twerk”, before succumbing to absolute obscurity. So you might not want to use it by the time this post goes live…

Minesweeper (Mine-sweeper)

Somebody who goes around blagging drinks at a party or at a bar amongst a group of friends, only to avoid the very same people who have already bought them a drink (and possibly expect one in return) upon their second go-around.

Snappening (Snap-en-ing)

When something newsworthy is taking place abruptly on Snap Chat. Kind of like a live rundown of a good night out, including the buildup and the aftermath.

But you know what? That’s completely fine! Because every week, we see plenty of newbies attending their first events; most of them nervous about not knowing what to expect. But once they settle in, have a chat and drink, they soon loosen up and get into the swing of things. That’s because all our members are welcoming, friendly folk who know how to enjoy themselves and love to meet new people.

It’s all because of our users and event organisers that MixingOut has been such a success at finding fun, interesting people more and more exciting things to do together. And it’s because our members are so welcoming that everybody comes away from an event looking forward to the next one, and the next, and the one after that! 

“When I first signed up with MixingOut, I’d arranged to go on a couple of get-togethers but I was so nervous, I backed out each time. Then one of my friends suggested she come along too. When we got there, I realised I had nothing to worry about. Everybody was so welcoming and friendly. We even left at separate times, I’d gotten so immersed into the whole thing.”

Lucy Taylor, Leeds

“Putting yourself into a room with a whole new group of people you’ve never met before can be a little daunting. Usually I go for a drink with friends from work, but quite often they’re too busy with family to really stay out late. I was very nervous about my first MixingOut event, but everybody made a real effort and by the end I was totally relaxed and having a good time. The drinks didn’t do any harm, either!”

Cris Stringer, Woodhouse

Besides finding someone else to help develop your fitness interests (because getting into shape is practically nine tenths motivation) it’s also a very effective way of being healthier, working out all that pent up frustration and energy, and generally feeling a whole lot better about yourself. And above all else, there are some really fun ways to go about it, especially when you’ve got a friend or two involved.

So, seeing as though Summer is only a few weeks away, here’s some fun and effective ways for friends to get fitter together.

Keeping things simple: Running

Most of us at some point have got up at 6am to go for a run before everyone else is awake, just so we can ‘secretively’ get into shape without anybody seeing us try. It’s hardly the most enjoyable way to exercise.

Much better to grab yourself a running-buddy and go for a jog/run together at a time that conveniences the both of you. Throw a little friendly competitiveness into the mix and you’ll be shedding those pounds in no time.

Going a bit more adventurous: Rambling and rock climbing

For those of you who like to get out a bit more and really feel the benefits, then why not arrange a day trip to any one of the beauty spots in and around your area.

Rolling hills, fresh air, steep climbs – there’s literally so much to do, you can make it as casual or as adventurous as you like. Many National Trust owned parks also do further activities, such as rock climbing, kayaking and bike rides. So if there’s something you’ve always felt like giving a go, it would be a great opportunity to try it with other people.

Or maybe somewhere in between: Gym and fitness classes 

If you’re stuck for ideas on what to do together, then maybe finding out what’s going on at your nearest gym is a good place to start. From simple fitness and yoga classes to higher-intense activities and workout sessions, there’s always something to cater for your level of fitness.

No – we’re talking about ‘non-dates’. Arranging to go out with maybe a new friend for the first time and just having a fun time with some good company. And we’ve got just the perfect settings to get you started:

1. Going for a Coffee

Sometimes coffee is best shared in the company of just the two of you. It means you can really get to know one another better over a hot drink and maybe a quick bite to eat. You can’t always get know somebody better when you’re trying to shout over blaring music, half intoxicated from the drinks on offer that night… sometimes these things are best saved for the light of day, in a quieter, more relaxed setting.

2. Hitting the Beer Garden

Then again, if coffee’s not your thing (and getting to know someone while your at least a quarter intoxicated is) then maybe hitting a beer garden is your best bet. It’s been getting nice and warm lately, so plenty of pubs and bars are starting to put more tables and chairs outside these days. Get the drinks in!

3. Catching a Film

Yes, we know what you’re thinking. Dim lighting, scary movie… it’s got to be a date, right? No! Going to the cinema with a new friend and seeing what films they’re into – and sharing what films you’re into – is a great way of getting to know one another. Besides, it can sometimes be difficult dragging somebody else to go and watch a movie that you really want to see but they don’t. So grab yourself a film-buddy for those blockbusters coming up!

The key is to keep things simple. You can make some very easy changes that seem small, but add up to a great deal in the long run, especially when it comes to your social life. So with that being said, here’s a quick list of New Year’s resolutions that every person should consider:

1. Put the smart phone away, especially in the company of others. It seems as though we’ve become so dependant on our second screens that we’ve forgotten the fundamentals of social etiquette. Would you start casually flipping through a magazine whilst somebody was trying to hold a conversation with you? No? Then leave the smart phone in your pocket.

2. Plan something interesting with friends six months in advance. That way, if the next six months don’t pan out exactly as you’d hoped, you’ll still have something to look forward to.

3. Make more of an effort to stay in touch with friends, other than texting and Facebook. Even if it’s just a short phone call once a week, or a catch up over a drink and a quick bite to eat, regular contact with your mates is so important – no matter how busy things get!

4. If there’s nothing on television, get yourself up off the sofa and meet up with friends instead. All too often we end up staying in and ogling the telly, even when we know there’s nothing worth watching. It’s a bad habit and it’s got to stop now!

5. Find something you’ve always wanted to do and get a friend to do it with you. Whether you’ve always wanted to jump out of a plane, go paint balling, or join the gym, getting a friend to do the same will alleviate the anxiety of trying something new all by yourself. This way, you are far more likely to actually do it.

6. Next time you’d rather stay at home when somebody asks to meet up, go against your instinct and meet up anyway. The best nights out are always unplanned and spontaneous. Trust us.

Luckily, 2014 is chocked full of some spectacular-looking movies to go and see together. It doesn’t matter if you and your friends are film buffs, or just looking for some last minute entertainment, here’s just a few of our favourites we think you’ll enjoy. 

Godzilla 

Forget everything you knew about the 1998 abomination, because this time around they got Legendary Pictures to oversee proceedings, the same company that raised the bar in franchise reboots with the latest Superman and Batman movies.

The film retells the origin of Godzilla in contemporary times as a “terrifying force of nature” and promises to be one the year’s most spectacular big-budget blockbusters; the perfect mix of compelling storytelling, impressive special effects, and thrilling set pieces. Check out the exciting new trailer here.

22 Jump Street 

The sequel to the hilarious 21 Jump Street sees Channing Tatum and Jonah hill reprise their roles as  a couple of underachieving cops, this time going back to college to crack a crime ring within a fraternity.

The plot might sound a little thin on the ground, but the first movie was filled with plenty of laugh out load moments, with some great scenes and very funny performances throughout – so hopefully we can expect more of the same second time around. The guys even took the time during production to film this hilarious parody of That famous Jean Claude Van Damn commercial.

Interstellar 

Christopher Nolan’s first release since his successful The Dark Knight Trilogy, Interstellar is a standalone science fiction film in a similar vein to the much applauded Inception.

Details surrounding the main plot are rather hush hush. All that’s been confirmed is that it’s about the discovery of a wormhole, and a team of scientists’ voyage through it, based upon the work of theoretical physicist Kip Thorne and rewritten by Christopher and longterm collaborator Jonathan Nolan.

So why are we so excited, even when we know very little about the whole thing? Well, Christopher Nolan has got to be one of the most innovative filmmakers working today, every one of of his films is so much more than a modern classic, they’re an event. And a new Christopher Nolan movie coming out in 2014 is surely an event worth going to.

RoboCop 

Another well beloved franchise gets a brand new makeover for 2014, RoboCop is a more than just of remake of the 1987 original, it’s going to be a whole new vision that already looks to be one of the year’s most exciting blockbusters – especially if you’re a fan of good of old fashioned 80’s action movies. Be sure to catch the latest trailer here.

Also keep an eye out for… 

Sin City: A Dame to Kill For 

The long-awaited sequel to 2005’s Sin City finally gets a release date (fingers crossed for August 22^nd) after countless delays and set backs. It’s based on the second graphic novel in Frank Miller’s Sin City series and sees director Robert Rodriguez return alongside old characters, and some new ones too. Expect action, stylised violence, and a story darker than the tones of black on the screen.

A Million Ways to Die in the West

Seth McFarlane follows up the hilarious Ted with this Western-inspired comedy about a cowardly farmer who seeks the help of a gunslinger’s wife to win back his love. Like Ted and Family Guy before it, expect controversial gags, quotable dialogue and outrageous humour.

The Monuments Men 

George Clooney leads an unlikely group of Second World War soldiers to steal back a collection of art masterpieces from enemy thieves and return them to their owners, in this mash-up of Saving Private Ryan and Ocean’s 11.

Dumb and Dumber 2 

If only to see Jim Carey and Jeff Daniels reprise their roles from the original classic, this film has surely got to be worth checking out with friends for a good laugh.

Yeah, yeah – we know – maybe we should leave the thinking to the experts (it only ever gets us into trouble) but we couldn’t help but feel a little intrigued. Is it really that difficult making new friends over 30?

Well, now that I’m asking myself that very same question, I’ve come to realise it’s one of those hazy yes-and-no sort of things: it all depends on how you look at it.

Of course, the friends you make in your early days are perhaps the ones that resonate the most when you think about genuine friendship. They’re the ones with whom we shared our first experiences; skinned our knees with, fought, cried, and shared meaningful/meaningless conversations about the opposite sex with. In short, those are the kinds of friends we’ve come to compare every other friend against since – and they always seem to come up short.

On the other hand, it’s important to acknowledge that we were very different people back then. Our expectations of friendships were maybe romanticised, or a little bit naïve to say the least. So it’s very useful to manage our expectations of potential friendships now we’ve grown a little bit older, gotten more socially experienced and, hopefully, a little bit wiser.

Or maybe the idea of finding it difficult to make new friends as you get older is an existential dilemma (we told you it got us thinking). And if that’s the case, then there are plenty of real-world tools at our disposal to use against it, like Mixing Out!

Spontaneity is all part of the fun of going and and meeting whenever you feel like it. After all, the best nights out are the ones you never plan. But sometimes it’s a good idea to do a double-take and make sure you’ve got everything you need – and the ditch the things you don’t – because you’re going to want to make a super good impression with any newbies that are going out!

So with that in mind, we thought it a great idea to share with you some tried and tested tips taken from our MixingOut community members, who have learned one or two things along the way to meeting new people and making friends.

Be prepared to take photos…

Oh yes, a nice easy one to start with. Charge up that smartphone and make sure you’ve got plenty of free memory, because taking photographs is the perfect way to get to know each other, whatever you’re doing.

It doesn’t matter if you’re out on the town, dressed up to the nines, or caked in mud and splattered with paint. Take plenty of pics to commemorate the occasion and make sure to get anyone you don’t already know to tag themselves on social networks. It’s a fab way to stay in touch with people you’ve just met and an even better way to prompt another get together.

If you’re hitting the town, grab a bite to eat before you go…

We don’t want to sounds like everybody’s mum, but having some food in your tummy before a big night on sauce will reduce the risk of that dreaded hangover the next morning. And if you don’t listen, then you’ve only got yourself to blame!… Okay, that does sound creepily like everybody’s mum.

Ditch the ‘ice-breakers’ before you head out…

Conversation Starters have been done to death. The best way to get to know somebody is new is the same way you’ve been doing you’re entire life… just by being your fun self. You’re outgoing, friendly and you’ve already got loads to chat about, so don’t force it.

Dress to impress (or at the very least, dress for the occasion)

Wear the right clothes. You have no idea how many times we hear of people (usually the fellas) not getting into clubs because they were wearing the wrong shoes. C’mon guys, we’ve yet to hear of any girls turning up for paintball in their high heels – so get it sorted!

Don’t Expect it

You should know by now the most memorable nights happen spontaneously. Things may start off unremarkable, but all of a sudden they take a step in the right direction, almost completely out of the blue, and everybody follows suit. There’s really no explaining it. Other than taking note that the major key to having a great night out is to not expect it.

Shake things up (without even trying)

If you try too hard to have a really great time, then you’re going to set yourself up for massive failure. It’s that simple. Instead, think of ways you can shake things up gradually, without putting too much emphasis into it.

This could be anything from moving on to the next bar to staying put and playing a round of pool, starting up a friendly competition and slowly building the group’s level of participation. The more everyone’s engaging with one another, the better the night will be!

Have an (emotional) one night stand

No not that kind… Nothing cements a truly awesome night out than sharing it with someone else on the same level. When you’re out and about with huge groups of people, there’s plenty of opportunities to make a connection with somebody – even if it’s only for that one night – and having a great time together, chewing the fat, and putting the world bang to rights!

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