I have to get used to being alone.

I'll be here in Gainesville for six weeks during the summer. That stupid requirement of experiencing 9 credits of your college life during the gorgeous Florida summer forces me to sacrifice the season most of us use to get away from our yearly routine. I can remember a few weeks/days/hours ago asking friends, "Hey bud, are you staying here for the summer?" After all, I'd like to know who will be here sharing this spectacular summer school with me. Whether for internships or part-time jobs ($$$) or relaxation or any other reason imaginable, my friends are leaving Gainesville for home or another part of the world. That leaves me here without the people I love. No walking down the hall and finding a good friend to hang out with. What am I gonna do on the weekends? When something awesome or shocking happens, who's gonna be there for me to tell? If I don't make any good friends in my summer classes, am I just going to spend my time in my room by myself?

Actually, that's exactly what's going on right now. I'm here in my room by myself after getting a little taste of being alone. Tonight's plan was to leave work and pick up Paul, meet up with some guys at Alehouse, continue on to Cru, then Paul, me, and anyone else interested would make our way to the Mellow Mushroom. Well, Paul and I were merely a party of two for most of dinner until Jason and Josh came later. Then at Cru--- where I already feel like an outsider, not being part of the alliance I accompany, but I'm fine with that--- some mystery guy started a buzz about 8 Seconds being the happening place to be tonight. I wanted to stay loyal and stick with plans (plus, I would have rather listened to hot exciting funk than be surrounded by chaps and country music). Everyone in the alliance set his eyes on 8 Seconds, and I was left without any kind of escort to the Mushroom. Also, I had to give Paul a ride to his car, so I had to wait until everyone finished socializing without me to leave. I checked my watch and realized Swayback would probably have concluded their set by the time I got there. The Mellow Mushroom was now out of the picture. I guess I could have gone to 8 Seconds, but I was already tired of following the flock I don't quite belong to. Instead, I drove Paul to his car, came back to my room, played a very intriguing psychoanalytic game with Anne, watched my taped Survivor episode after Chris and Anne left (Yes, I watch Survivor. I admit it! Don't get me started on that.), did some reading for Law Enforcement and Social Order, and then reflected on how tonight--- right now, sitting solo--- could be a sample of my nights during summer school.

You know what? It'll be quiet, and I most likely will face some moments of lonesomeness, but I won't let it get me down. Besides, you guys that have free time can always take a weekend of your summer to visit majestic Gainesville .