Socializing... A Necessary Evil?

Like any dedicated gamer, I loath the events that force me to walk away from my poorly lit cave and into the wider world. Sometimes it's necessary. Indeed, add alcohol and I can genuinely forget about my obsession with games for a brief span.

But sometimes, you just want to game. Especially annoying is when your friends suspect that the reason you're ducking a social event (even informal events, like meeting for movies or some board games) is just to stay home and wallow in single-player goodness.

As any true gamer knows, peer pressure can have a profound impact on your plans. I plan to skip wing night and make it to the Shadow Fortress in Torchlight, but my friends refuse to listen no matter how many times I repeat that I'll only need a few more hours and I'll be there! And they literally drag me, kicking and screaming, into the car.

To avoid such unseemly situations, I've decided to compile a list of excuses for avoiding social events.

1) Swine Flu - Its new, its sexy, and the CDC has strict guidelines requiring you to stay home!
2) You just aren't up to seeing people tonight... "You see, man, I just watched that episode of Futurama with Fry's dog, and... I just can't tonight. Yeah, I'll be OK, I just need some time... thanks for understanding."
3) Your short story is being considered for publication, and the editor wants to do a phone interview to discuss the possibilities!
4) This one requires a bit of prep work; for weeks beforehand, you need to keep talking about some nutty conspiracy theory involving a mysterious science project. Maybe involving the Large Hadron Collider in Europe? I dunno. But anyways, after the ground work is laid out, you can say "Go out? Tonight? No way!" and explain that their experiment is scheduled to take place then. Works best if you can plan it specifically to coincide with something in the news to back up your nutty story.
5) You are upset because your short story was turned down, after all, and aren't in the mood to hang out.
6) If you're in school, then you have an essay due. If you're working, then your boss gave you an assignment at the last minute and you gotta burn the midnight oil to get it done.
7) "Ah man, at the last minute something came up with my family."
8) Convince your friends that you are actually a superhero and have to go meet with the President or fight some crime. Something urgent.
9) Fake your own death.
10) "Better not.. my IBS is really acting up!" (Very effective!)

Now I'm sure all gamers have their own unique excuses, so feel free to share your advice.

Oh, by the way, I've recently been hearing some crazy stuff about what's going on at CERN. Scary. Anyways, see ya next time!