Does being a loner make me old and mature?

This past weekend I attended the #BlogHer09 Conference. Oh shoot, I'm not on Twitter and the hash tag doesn't mean anything. Anyhow, went on behalf of my client but since they were mostly involved on an online component, I got to fully enjoy the conference. I particularly enjoyed the keynotes which were entertaining, captivating, RAW and well, plain inspiring. There were some amazing and talented women at the conference!

I've been "blogging" for over 7 years (well, first recorded blog post I can find via good 'ol XANGA (lol) was June 2002) but this was an entirely on a different wavelength than what I'm used to. I've been working with bloggers for years but this was the first time I got to really join in the conversation with a large group of people who have such a passion for what they do. It was really interesting - and while I'll never blog the way I did in college (basically, about every aspect of my life, every feeling, every up....and down....), or the way these women (mostly women) do, I think I'll always use my blog(s) as a platform to share. I would say, as a platform to engage conversations but I'm pretty sure Mel (co-blog owner here) is the only one who comments. lol.

Anyhow, I'm rambling. On to the reason for the post! So during BlogHer, I knew a few souls at the conference/in Chicago but ended up grabbing dinner alone on Friday night. Which was totally fine, until I actually got to the restaurant (recommended by concierge, across the street from the hotel) and realized, oh wait, eating alone means sitting alone....in a crowded restaurant...on a Friday night! MAN, WHAT A LOSER!

But I decided to embrace this, like I always do when I start feeling "lonely" (I use quotes because I'm not really LONELY but when I remember, I'm alone...I'm like, shoot...I'm alone. Um, does that make sense? Perhaps leave me a comment and I'll explain more. Just kidding. :) ) Anyhow, I thought, why not eat alone at a restaurant, it's so....business-woman'y. We all know my job as a "PRrofessional" does not usually fall under "business woman" but I had to embrace the moment! So I chose to sit at the bar, ordered a glass of wine and ignored the pity-stares. It felt empowering. Like I was reaching another rung on the ladder towards becoming a grown up. Eat alone, at crowded restaurant, while away for work - check!

What's next? Buy a stuffed animal for my kid when I'm away on business? (Uhm, if and when this happens, please 1) let there be a ring on my finger 2) can it be a really cute and well behaved kid that I'm bringing a stuffed animal home for? please?)

To wrap things up, I'm growing up (or at least pretending to) and it feels so good. (Yes, I'm still the only person on the planet who can't wait to GET OLDER. THAT'S RIGHT, late 20s, I'm coming for YOU. EAT YOUR HEART OUT.)