I went to eat by myself at Eat \’N Park for the second time alone this week. Strangely enough, I have somewhat gotten over the fear of eating alone. Only at specific restaurants however where the cheapness of the food calls for random single diners. Interestingly enough, at least 2 other tables near me (booths) were single diners. One was in her mid-twenties, reading a book, but evidently she came to the restaurant to also chat with her friends who worked as servers. Another was a middle-aged lady who wore a napkin bib and splashed spaghetti sauce all over herself. Another lady further down the row was working on storybook sketches, finished with her main meal and drinking a cup of tea slowly. It was pleasant.

I remember going to Denny\’s with Aaron in El Cerrito back in undergrad. We would go in with our heavy books and notes. The server would take one look at us and lead us toward the back where other students were studying. We would often order a breakfast meal since it usually was around 10 or 11 pm at night. Then eat…drink…all night. The server would bring us the check and then leave us alone, occasionally checking up on our drinks. Then three hours later, we would saunter out of Denny\’s to Aaron\’s car, feeling well-studied and happy.

I tried studying tonight for my midterm tomorrow in human factors. But it wasn\’t the same. Being alone makes me a bit too self-aware sometimes. But perhaps it was more of the fact that I just didn\’t get the cognition and decision-making chapters. Wish me luck.