LiveWorld Transcripts

SocialNet presents

Bob Makela
Author of "Last Call"

September 20, 1999

Is it love? Is it just sex? How do you find "The One?" Author Bob Makela probably knows. In his novel, "Last Call," he describes what he found out about romance while visiting 160 bars across the US. Read what Bob had to say about the state of love in America today.

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SocialNet: Have you ever wanted to get paid to travel across the US? Well. Author, Bob Makela did just that. Traveling on a book advance, Bob traveled the US for 100 days in search of the meaning of love and commitment. He visited 160 bars on his trip, and spoke with people about their thoughts on romance and relationships. What kind of things did he learn in preparation for his book? SocialNet.com presents Bob Makela. Welcome Bob!

Bob Makela: Thank you for attending this! I've never done this before in my life I'm 38, and feeling like I'm still 25. I'm from LA, but don't hold it against me please.

Curiousone: What prompted you to write a book about love and commitment?

Bob Makela: Actually I never set out to write this. I originally tried to publish a book of poems that me and my friend had written on cocktail napkins in bars. I got an agent through that idea, who loved the idea. I wrote a book proposal for him, he sent it out, and the response was great. All the editors said that the book doesn't sell, and they liked my proposal enough that they asked me to come up with another idea. So I liked the idea of going to a different bar every night to talk to strangers who felt that bars were the best place possible to meet strangers, not realizing that I would get close to the edge of losing my mind, and developing a drinking problem. (smile) That was the genesis of the trip and it was something that changed my life, in good ways, and bad ways.

Stacyw: What do you feel the singles scene is like out there currently?

Bob Makela: Personally I find it next to impossible to meet someone in a bar who I become romantically involved in. I think that most people for the most part, end up feeling the same way I do. It's an illusion. I've actually met people who have met their boyfriend or girlfriend in bars, but it's certainly rare. I think people are self-conscious and afraid of rejection- I think that's why liquor sales are so high.

WM34: Do you see any trends dealing with people meeting on the internet?

Bob Makela: I think this has the potential to revolutionize the way people go about meeting each other. For me it's hard to initiate a conversation, but once the conversation begins, I have no problem talking to a complete stranger, it's that initial feeling of fear of not wanting to sound like every other cheese-ball. But I think through the internet, that initial barrier will be obliterated. Of course, there is the potential downside of obscuring the truth. Bars will eventually serve the function of looking the person in the eyes. When you can assess the possibility of actually falling in love they will always serve the function of a place where people will meet because you want to look the other person in the eye When you all have a question, can you tell me where you're from and maybe I passed through your town

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