Thursday, November 09, 2006

Cushion vs Flying Solo

Our Christmas dance is coming up at work.

Last year I went with Draconian and posse. This year the posse seemed iffy. I like parties. More so, I like free parties. This years party is a little far, in Mississauga (a 45 minute drive.) Some women from my floor got together and secured us a table, and they arranged a mini carpool. Only I was late, so now I have to drive myself there.

I am wondering. Is this a bad thing? Why is it we are so nervous to do things on our own? I like to think I am an evolved being. I enjoy shopping alone; I travel on occasion by myself (which I love cuz you meet so many people along the way,) I joined TKD all by my lonesome.

Yet there are things I won’t do on my own. I’ve never gone to a nice restaurant by myself for dinner. Even when it’s a Friday night and I have serious craving and everyone is AWOL. Instead Ill go to bed hungry and unsatisfied. I did go to a movie by myself. (Probably the worst movie to go to independently, it was Message in a bottle, and rather depressing to begin with.) I am a bit of a chatter box, and I do like being able to turn to the person next to me, and make a pointless comments. (Yes I am one of those.) I don’t usually go to clubs by myself, even if I am meeting people there. I usually drag a sidekick with me.

Yet why not?

I don’t want to bring a date to the Xmas party. I personally think company Christmas parties are purgatory for the spouses/dates. And at this point I can’t think of anyone I like enough to fork out the forty dollars for, just to have a safety cushion.

So what say you? Do you cushion…or do you fly solo?

11 comments:

Irie Latino said...

I can't advise a woman. It's easier for guys to fly solo. I went through a couple years as a Night Manager for a hotel and I'd finish work anytime between midnight and 4am. I learnt to fly solo cuz my friends couldn't manage those hours all the time. It was actually fun...lots of girls...but they were mostly the very suspect clubbing types that you know you'll regret the next morning. But flying solo builds character I think and makes you bolder and better at just walking up to women and starting a little something. In Jamaica women don't like to fly solo because they are worried about their rep especially because it is a small place. I don't know if its different in a big city like TO. There are two places, however, that despite my solo experience I just won't solo. One is the movies. I did it once a long time ago and felt like I could hear everybody thinking about that poor lonely guy near the aisle. The second place is a nice restaurant at night. I'll do it in the day when I can play the part of the professional at lunch. But what excuse do you have at night?

Jdid said...

fly solo. go for it come on.

Anonymous said...

As an only child, I find flying solo not so much a big deal. I remember is my last position at work, it called for me to drive to Montego Bay, Negril, Ocho Rios, a distance of almost 4 hrs in some cases and people used to ask me if I went alone like it was a crime or something. Sometimes, it's good to fly solo, you get to think, clear your head, enjoy the scenery without the banter and commentary of friends. However, sometimes, having a friend with you ain't that bad.

Crankyputz said...

Irie Latino....absolutely agree, it is a little different for women, men feel no ways of doing all sorts of things solo....walk into bar have a drink....it your a woman its a huge no no,....

J did thanks for the encouragement, I am going for it.

Cool Destiny-I have to say here I loved Montego Bay, and the falls in Ochio Rios were amazing...

Scratchie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Scratchie said...

Well after years of being forced to fly solo, I would welcome the cushion. Our office party is a staff only affair and with that comes the Monday gossip so I tend to do the food and leave thing.

Abeni said...

have done the solo thing several times.Have no problems going to movies alone-but never gone to dinner by myself.But if am really hungry I guess I will do it.

bitsandgiggles said...

I think holiday parties are things to be finished with as quickly as possibly...and it's easier to be flexible when you're not hosting someone else as your date.

My favorite thing to do myself is shop...at least until I'm naked in the dressing room and realize I need a different size. It's at those time I really wish I had my mother with me. ;-)

Crankyputz said...

Bits and Giggles: Am definitely a solo shopper, but always like the company when there are the mega sales on, which require team work, one to stand in line, the other to browse.....

Dee said...

I fly solo
since I left school, I have nobody to hang out with as I didn't go to school around here. If I leave it up to having company, I'll never do anything. I don't fraternize with coworkers and I hate all the people I used to attend church with. I saw Grudge 2 by myself. Bad idea. I was sleepless for days. But I'd do it again, just see a less frightening movie. I haven't worked my way up to restaurants yet, but I am craving Korean food and don't know anyone cool enough to go with aside from my Mom. She's pretty cool though. Maybe I'll take her out. She deserves it.

Crankyputz said...

god's child: You know since i've gotten older (sigh) i can acutally hang out with my mum for longer than 20 minutes and not get angry at her. and i've realised that she is great person. I say treat mum to Korean food. um.

Speaking of Korean, ever since I've taken TKD, i've realised how very hot Korean men can be. Espeically when their flying all over the place...and I've been imagining little chinky eyed kiddies....sorry you didn't ask!