MEMBER FOCUS: Team KARRMA
At Common House Chattanooga, Tuesday night is Trivia Night — an evening when members come together to test their knowledge of random facts. And one team in particular has been attending (and winning quite often) since we started hosting trivia: Team KARRMA. The team’s name is an acronym using the first letter of the first name of each member: Karim Karie, a realtor; Alan Pitner, who works in IT; Richard Groves, a librarian; Ryan Meades, an IT auditor; Melissa Rodriguez, a bilingual health educator, and Amber Goins, a TVA employee on her way to becoming a realtor. Their story would make for a great sitcom called Good KARRMA. A group of mostly strangers become fast friends who frequent the same trivia spot practically every Tuesday. And now, they celebrate birthdays together and take impromptu trips to Dollywood. We’d certainly watch six or seven seasons of that show. So, without further ado, let’s find out ‘How We Met Our Trivia Team.’
Team KARRMA formed serendipitously through other House Events. “A few of us met during a New Member Happy Hour – me, Melissa, and Ryan,” Amber recalls. Karim and Alan knew each other before, but the two of them also reconnected at a New Member Happy Hour. Eventually, they found free agent Richard. “He was sitting at the bar and we said, “Hey, do you want to join our team?” says Ryan. Amber adds that “He was very hesitant and we know why now. Because he can win all by himself. He did not need us, but he stuck with us.”
With their dream team completely assembled, they settled on a creative spelling of “karma” and really started to gel. Every Tuesday, you can find the group huddled around a table, ready to combine their brain power. “I watch Jeopardy every night. I love trivia,” says Karim. “Anything Disney, I’m your girl,” says Melissa.
When they’re not dominating in trivia, the group of friends also enjoy meeting up for many of the other events at Common House, like Drag Brunch and Wine Tastings. “The Ladies Luncheons have been amazing,” according to Melissa. “I love it and I can’t wait for the next one.” Richard is a big fan of the Book Club. Perhaps it’s a good way to soak up knowledge for trivia. “The music is also good,” says Ryan. “Great local artists come through the House.”
Whether you’ve lived somewhere your entire life or you’re a new transplant, making new friends is tough. Especially the older you get. Which is why we’re particularly fond of Team KARRMA’s unlikely friendship. “We credit all that to Common House,” Karim says. Amber adds, “That’s what’s really good about Common House. You don’t try to be somebody else when you’re here — you’re trying to meet people and connect with people.”
So, if you haven’t checked out Trivia Night at Common House yet, you should. Win or lose, you’ll have fun in the process. And who knows,you might just form some lifelong friendships along the way.