[Metis]

Some reasonably good ideas:

1. Exit stage left.
Take a break for a few rounds. When you come back the rules will have changed some and there's a good chance the game will be new and interesting for you.

2. Play random.
Don't join your alliance -- just join the game. Meet new people (there are still a few out there to meet, and some of them can be good fun).

3. Start your planet mid-round.
Your galaxy will love you for trying, you won't have to start from ground zero and you'll get to play random anyway, so you'll either meet new people or accidentally wind up with people who you know.

4. Play Scanner.
Everyone loves the scanner. XP is choice, you can still be a fattie if you get your gal to support you, and you get to play random so you might wind up with new people that you like.

5. Build your Galaxy.
You can't win without your galaxy, so make it a point to build your galaxy instead of just your planet. Cross-def, exchange sms numbers, swap recipies, make your gal pic interesting ... the galaxy can be a lot of fun if done right.

6. Meet people.
It's remarkably easy to make friends on the network. But there is something missing when you never get to actually meet them. Being obsessive about a computer game can wreak havoc with one's rl social life -- so diversify and go travel a bit.

7. Talk to more girls.
There aren't many girls on the network, but they definitely make it more fun. Having a girl to go rescue is nearly as good as having an enemy to go clobber ...

8. Why settle?
Talk to more girls and make more enemies.

Heck -- talk to me, I'll be your enemy.

~Metis