I booked a ticket to go to the theatre, to see 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. Not just that, but I'm going alone, to a matinee in 10 days time.
It cancels out so many issues: no deciding who to ask along, no agreeing on which night suits us best, no wondering if we will want a drink in the interval, no discussion about eating beforehand. Some people would hate to go out to something without company, but as someone who has had to eat in restaurants alone a few times, this is easy. I like the freedom of being alone, although as social beings it doesn't often come easily to us, and we like to have props such as a book or newspaper. I think it takes practice and the knowledge that unless you are behaving strangely, no-one really notices or thinks you're a wierdo.
Having said that, I did once try long-distance walking on my own, and that was awful (and yes maybe some people thought I was a weirdo). When you are hiking along an escarpment looking at the fantastic valley below you, and there is no-one to turn to and say "wow, look at that!", it feels extremely lonely. I lasted one day. The second day I walked with a group I had met in the B&B the night before who took pity on me because I was so miserable! I didn't see it through, but at least I tried it.
Picture from here, quote from To Kill a Mockingbird
So, back to the start of the post, many people read the book as part of their school curriculum. I didn't and it was just one of those titles that I knew, but didn't know the story until I finally got round to reading it last year. I'm not going to postulate on the book or it's meanings, there are people far more qualified than I for that, but I am looking forward to seeing the stage interpretation of it.
