One is the loneliest number...

So goes the Three Dog Night song I remember from the '70s and '80s. I have always hated doing things alone, but have forced myself in recent years to do so. I sometimes go to the mall alone or go out to eat alone. Eating at home alone isn't the same since mail, TVs, phone calls and even computers can help distract a person from being alone. I read in a surfing book that no one should ever surf alone for safety reasons. However, today, that's what I decided to do. My surfing buddy, Robin, couldn't go with me today to surf. After a discussion with my surfing instructor and friend Brian, I also found out that he wasn't going to be able to surf today either. Ummm...I really wanted to surf, so I decided to go alone. I had asked Brian his opinion about it and he said that he loved surfing alone. The only time a person shouldn't surf alone is if he/she is on a deserted beach or in water known for having sharks. He told me to drive up and down the Seawall to see where the waves were. And, that's what I did. Although surfers can be territorial, I decided to surf near the 25th street pier, an area I wasn't familiar with because I usually surf at the 43rd street pier. I made the right decision. The other surfers were nice, as was the lifeguard who came out to chat me up. He gave me some pointers and pushed me into a wave. The waves were shallow but, for the first time in awhile, the sets were well-defined. I had 10-12 successful runs. I was quite proud that I didn't even get the top of my head wet. I never fell. It was amazing! And, I did it alone. Maybe this "alone" stuff isn't so bad.