My trick at those things is to look for someone standing alone near a wall or the bar, since they usually want someone to talk to just as much as you do. Last month I spent 30 minutes talking to a guy about his boat because neither of us knew anyone, and he turned out to be the one who ran the whole event. Have you tried skipping the groups and just finding the other nervous person in the room?

Counting shows is the fastest way to stop actually watching them. I keep a list too but I only add stuff I'd still bring up a month later, and that number is way lower than the total. Try picking 3 shows and rewatching one episode you loved, if you can't get through it or remember why you liked it, that tells you everything.

Been there man. Couple years back I passed on a 260 lb Duroc cross cause I had a work trip the same week and thought I couldn't get it broken down in time. Ended up paying more for a smaller one two weeks later that had maybe half the back fat. What I started doing is keeping a cheap chest freezer at 0 just for these deals so I never have to think about the walk-in space again. Also, breaking down a big hog alone isn't that bad if you split it over two days, do the primal cuts day one and grind sausage day two. That 280 lb Berkshire at $2.10 hanging was a solid price for that breed too, you probably left $150 in fat and coppa on the table easy. Next time just say yes and figure out the schedule after.