30 years ago? First making friends in Boston, driving down to MIT and then Northeastern and later BU, to Vampire LARP with friends, and getting into the local goth scene from there. Which became my other major social circle besides gaming and religious activities. First started going to Manray and dancing regularly. Along with a lot of other people as The Crow, as a big pop culture phenomenon, got young folks interested in the subculture. Some of my best and longest-lasting friendships were established right around then, some of whom are functionally family to this day.
I remember that shy kid playing at outgoing to make friends. Much more interested in those friends and games and music than in his studies. But it's challenging to connect with how he thought and felt, at this distance.