Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Harry says it well

Came across this quote and felt that, in the interest of sharing what it means to be a loner with those who aren't, I should just post it and invite discussion.  (Please note that I snorted really hard at the Byron crack even though I disagreed with it and got some odd looks from the other folks in the gym.)
"I always considered myself a loner.

"I mean, not like poor-me, Byron-esque, I-should-have-brought-a-swimming-buddy loner.  I mean the sort of person who doesn't feel too upset about the prospect of a weekend spent seeing no one, and reading good books on the couch.  It wasn't like I was a people-hater or anything.  I enjoyed activities and the company of friends.  But they were a side dish.  I always thought I would be happy without them."
- from Ghost Story by Jim Butcher (page 183 of the hardcover edition)

Any comments?  Agree?  Disagree?

2 comments:

  1. Would you care to explain the Byron crack? A quick perusal of his biography wasn't overly illuminating.

    I.. In my own life, I am not USUALLY this way, though when the topic comes up I feel a need to defend my own desire for solitude, which is very present.. Just not usually long lived.

    It's illuminating, but I definitely disagree in my own life with that as a model, but only very specifically for me.

    - Patrick
    -

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  2. Oh, those wacky romantic poets . . .

    I don't think this sentiment is considered the norm. Maybe it would at least be better understood if lots of people read Party of One: The Loner's Manifesto, which is a lot of fun.

    And if there weren't people who craved the company of people, the world would be a sadder place. :)

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