alone with yourself

I may be going to the movies this week. Alone. (“what?!”, you say.)

My school’s having this free-movie-ticket day/party, and the one friend I usually go to these types of things with can’t go/I’m getting tired of going to these things with my one friend. (It’s sort of like in high school, when the teacher goes, “you can pick your partner to work with today!” and you turn to that one friend over and over again and just nod.)

Free movie tickets! The best things in life! I am so not passing this up. But, at the same time, I feel like it’s considered “weird” or “strange” to go to the movies alone. Who goes to movies alone? (“Hey, group of friends, look at that sad, lonely person sitting by themselves and eating popcorn with no one to share it with! What?!”)

In the same vein, it’s “weird”, maybe even weirder, to go to a restaurant alone. Why, though? Are restaurants strictly “social” places these days? Like clubs, or, um, golf courses? You just go there to eat stuff, yeah? And it’s not so weird to eat alone at, say, Taco Bell(? Where do you people eat these days?)

Another thing I’ve noticed: Cool people eat alone. I follow authors on the Twitter and they’re always going on about “oh going out to eat now for a bite of lunch where shall I sit since I am going alone?” (Not an actual Tweet.) When I read that, I don’t think it’s weird, what they’re doing. I admire them! Because it feels weird to do “alone” things that are meant to be “social” things, according to society (and that annoying group of friends that always sits behind you everywhere you go, including this website. Don’t look over your shoulder, b.t.w.).

If they can do it, so can I. Right? (So can you!) Being alone at the movies seems easier than dining alone, anyway. Once the movie starts, you become one with the staring, gaping, popcorn-popping crowd. (That feeling is awesome, b.t.w.)

Wow. So much b.t.w. is happening in this post. Should I stop typing now? Probably. But I’ll never do that!

Ok, so, I’m going to do this! (Maybe. There aren’t any good movies out, anyway, are there?) I’m pro at being alone. I need to practice being alone with lots of people around! …

(and, another one ending in the silent ellipses. You’re welcome, internet!)

P.s. Have you seen this fantastic internet video? How To Be Alone: