Two Firsts: Kris Meets Stephanie and Stephanie Dines Alone

Kris had the great pleasure of meeting the lovely and talented Stephanie Pearl-McPhee of Yarn Harlot fame at a book signing in San Diego this past weekend. Michele (Kris's sister) and I had that same pleasure earlier this year. Stephanie was equally impressed with the lovely and talented Kris, writing nice things about her and her beautiful sweater.

Stephanie also touches on something that I think is not exclusive to women, but perhaps we just feel more acutely: the fear of being alone in a busy, unfamiliar place.

I'm writing this from a restaurant, where I'm doing something that I've never done before. Eating alone. (You know, it's not so bad...)
This is the trip that I try to learn new things, this is the trip that I don't spend all my time in the hotel room, looking out the windows because I'm a big chicken. This trip (in the 3 hours of free time I have in each city) I'm seeing stuff. I'm shaking off the fear of getting lost far from home and I'm going out there.

I understand what she means. The first time I went to a movie alone, I became convinced that everyone was looking at me, thinking "What's she doing here ALONE?" The fact that I never gave a moment's thought about other people should have given me a clue that--past high school--few people are paying attention to whether you're under escort or not. In fact, if you look around most movie theatres, a lot of people are there alone. (It's not a bad solitary activity when you come down to it. And you don't have to share your popcorn or your M&Ms.)

I know there have been times when fear--not physical fear, but emotional fear--has kept me from doing some things alone. I salute Stephanie for her vow to get out of her hotel room and into the wonderful surroundings her travels are taking her to. It's both harder--and easier--than you may think to do certain things the first time. Here's to breaking the ice!