All The Single Ladies (and Men Too)!!!

I had a big date planned last Saturday. We were going to see Furious Seven since both of us enjoy this movie series.  I looked forward to it all week -- and then I got the call.  My date had succumb to the flu and would have to take a rain check.  Talk about a huge bummer!! Now what should I do?  I pondered it for a while and decided that I would make a daring and bold move; I took myself out on the date anyway.  I dressed to impress, showed up on time, paid for the ticket and snacks, and (dare I say it) had a fantastic time.  BY MYSELF.

The truly shocking thing is that this is not even close to the first time I've stepped out on my own.  (GASP!)  I'm a single mom, and I figure I have two choices: I can sit around and wait for one of my busy friends to become available for an activity, OR I can go out by myself.  Most of the time I choose the later.  Now I realize that in our patriarchal society, we are programmed that we must go out in public in pairs, or perish in fiery flames.  And yet I have emerged unscathed from malls, restaurants, movie theaters, and concerts despite the fact that I didn't have a buddy with me. 

In fact, just a few weeks ago, I went to see Garth Brooks in concert.  BY MYSELF.  Previously, if I wanted to go to a concert, I would purchase two tickets and then attempt to find a friend to go with me.  When I ordered my ticket several months ago, I decided to forgo that method altogether and only ordered one ticket.  It actually took the pressure off of trying to find someone to purchase my second "buddy" ticket and coordinate schedules with someone else.  I think it also garnered me a better seat -- can't prove that by the computer but I'm just going to go with that theory. 

Then I had a friend post on Facebook about their own frustration with this concept and the idea of feeling self-conscious doing something like going to the movies by himself.  Most of the comments were supportive and told him to just go for it.  There was only one judgmental twit who admitted that she would laugh at him for being by himself.  Is she serious?  If you've managed to make it past high school, this is juvenile behavior, plain and simple.  Who cares if someone is by themself?  If you find it necessary to point that out and make fun of that person, what you're really doing is revealing your own insecurities to everyone who read your ridiculous comment. 

Aside from wanting to dump a bucket of popcorn on this girl's head, the comment that really bothered me the most was not even an original comment.  It was an image of a word with a definition; it was the first time I had seen this picture or heard this term.  I am not fond of the word mash-ups that have become so popular of late, and this was no different:

Did anyone else notice that this term is one letter off from masturbating?  I'm sure as hell not using that term EVER to describe my evening out without a sidekick.  WTF!  This proves that no matter how far we think we have progressed as a society, there is still a deep, deep sense of patriarchy and privilege associated with pairing up just for the sake of following the herd.  I for one am done with that nonsensical bullshit.

I have had friends tell me that I'm brave for doing things on my own, and while I understand where they are coming from, it seems like such a lame reason to pat myself on the back.  The bottom line is that we should pay more attention to our own affairs.  Then it wouldn't seem so gutsy to sit in a dark room and stare at a screen for two hours without someone else to hold our hand (thank you Shaners McFarlane).

While I will concede that there is an element of nerve in flying solo, here is an ode to those that really deserve to wear this badge of honor:

Theme Song #41: Brave by Sara Bareilles
https://youtu.be/QUQsqBqxoR4

I'm busting out of my cage,
Selina