The Big Girl Award for Going Alone...

...to the movies.

Was that a *GASP!* I heard? Perhaps, a muffled "She did what?" No worries. Prior to approximately 12pm today, I would've had the same reaction. But now, I'm a changed woman. Each week on my day off, I've decided to challenge myself to try something new and slightly outside of my personal comfort zone. The activities I've come up with so far include: Going to the movies alone, Taking a pilates/yoga class and Sitting in on group guitar lessons.

Let's just say that going to the movies by yourself rocks and week number one has been a whopping success. I can't, however, say the same for the movie.

With a bottle of Fiji water in hand to negate the effects of the unopened sleeve of Girl Scout Thin Mint cookies that accompanied me to the movies, I walked the few blocks around the corner to the town movie theatre. Head held high, I confidently made my way to the ticket counter and purchased one solitary ticket (at matinee price, whoopee!) for Confessions of a Shopaholic. I swear I could hear the pre-pubescent child behind the register snicker. Since when did I start caring what other people thought?

I'm not sure what I was so worried about. Did I really expect the theatre to be packed at 1pm on a Monday? Granted the local university is on Spring Break, but clearly those kids are off galavanting on some far away tropical MTV-inspired vacation and not lining up to see a chick-flick matinee at the local town theatre!

As I walked into theatre 3 and plopped down in the best seat in the house (you know, middle of the room, second tier, right behind the row that's directly behind the railing?) I felt a sense of comfort and ownership wash over me. It was as if I was sitting in my own living room, a little less comfortable, but better in the sense that I was getting ready to watch a movie that hadn't yet been released on DVD and I didn't even have to purchase the bootleg from some creeper on the corner of Broadway and 85th.

I couldn't wait for the previews to end. As I propped my feet up on the seat in front of me and tore into the glorious silver wrapper that encased far too many calories to even think about... Wait, what was that? Did I just hear the door open? Is someone walking into my theatre? How could this be? Nobody comes to the movies alone! So much for having the theatre all to myself!

The intruder sits down two rows behind me. She just happens to be around my age.. and alone.

The thought crosses my mind to strike up a conversation. Maybe figure out what more we had in common. Does her husband travel, too? Is she alone all week with no one to converse with other than a 7 month old puppy?

As for the movie? I did contemplate leaving at times. Sure, there were funny parts and I'm all for a good sale now and then, but Becky's ensembles were a little too fierce for a seersucker-loving prepster like me and the plot was a little hard for me to fully get into. I don't remember feeling the same way about Sophie Kinsella's book! All throughout watching the movie, I kept thinking to myself, "I can't imagine racking up skads of credit card debt and I will NEVER catch myself in line at a register only to have my plastic declined. How embarassing!" I actually found myself feeling sorry for Becky Bloomwood and slightly aghast at the careless spending she allowed herself to partake in. Blame my new budget and financially savvy husband.

But good thing Becky met that cute corporate boy and fell in love with him. Now all her problems are solved, right? According to the movie, she meets Mr. Corporate, falls in love and becomes a reformed Shopaholic. Puh-leeease. Just ask Dr. Phil or Oprah. How many couples divorce secondary to their wives incredulously frivolous spending habits? Don't worry sweetie. You'll relapse a few Fashion Weeks down the road. As soon as Henri Bendel puts out his new line of Disturbed Weekender totes or his Heritage Label scarves.

Whew. Who's hormonal? Apologies, I didn't mean for this post to turn into a movie review. All in all, I don't regret the $8.50 I spent on the ticket and I certainly don't regret heading to the movies sans company. It will most definitely not be the last time!

Did I mention that I ate the entire sleeve of cookies? Sigh. Delish!