Bowling Alone

A social demographer wrote awhile back a book called “Bowling Alone” that lamented the rise of Americans doing activities alone, like bowling, which once were intrinsically social. Like much what I write about, I never read that book, but I do empathize with the sympathy of bowling alone.

I attend movies alone. I listen to music concerts alone. I build art projects alone. I run alone. I cook alone. I eat alone. I sleep alone. I have yet to drink in bars alone – I leave that activity to Ruben.

It’s not that I hate people, but I rather find easier to do all of the above-mentioned social activities by myself. I don’t need to plan around others. I’m not disappointed when I end up doing most of the organizing and spending. I can stick to my old-man procedures and policies. I can run exactly at the pace I wish.

Yet I also need people. I grow cantankerous fast on a weekend in which I have not been adequately watered and socialized. I enjoy board games. I need the stimulation of other people’s ideas and adventures.

I just don’t know how to reconcile my isolated, set ways with playing along with others. Perhaps I need to start small and arrange simple dates with friends for a few hours at Zeitgeist. Identify a movie or event for which I desire accompaniment. Otherwise, you’ll see me on lane 11 by myself in the technicolor whos, trying to convert the tricky 7-10 split.