Writer's Block: Sweet and solo

Have you ever made up an excuse to avoid a social obligation so you could spend the evening by yourself? Do your friends and/or family understand when you need some quality time alone?

I'd almost always rather have the evening to myself then participate in a "social obligation" event.  Very nearly goes without saying for me.

I've heard personal freedom defined as a "a person who can say no to a dinner invitation without giving an excuse." and I'm afraid I've not yet reached that exalted ideal of liberty.  Although I have given the excuse once or twice that I was in a bad mood and didn't want to spread it around. 

My friends and family are aware that I need an iordinate amount of "me time", and generally respect that. In return I try to make those obligations that I know are important to them.