Socializing at work

In my current job, it's difficult to organize any sort of social activity. Working in downtown DC means that everyone has a ridiculously long commute from Maryland or Virginia, so no one wants to hang out after work. Since we're the federal government, and we've been plagued by scandals in the past, agencies are real tight-asses about social activities during work hours. We get a nice holiday party, of course, but anything else is considered wasting taxpayer dollars.

The first agency I worked for, in Columbia, MD, does a lot more socializing, and I still stay in touch with that group. Every month or two they do a happy hour at one of several local restaurants (preferably with a free buffet), and we've done several summer bowling leagues. They've done some other things as well, like going to comedy shows and big birthday parties, but I'm not social enough to go to that sort of thing.

Jam it back in, in the dark.