Try a wedding. Or go to one of those corporate xmas things. Back in my drinking days (bad stomach, can't anymore) I used to attend all sorts of stuff for free drinks.
I believe that turned around _before_ I stopped drinking, though. I remember attending a party given by a couple where I didn't really like either of them, just to have drinks, and deciding enough was enough.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.