Write as Raina

Author: Raina B.

  • Once Upon a Breakdown

    Once Upon a Breakdown

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    by

    Raina B.
    in ,

    In the interest of full disclosure, the last five years have been a little rough. When I announced my retirement back in August, I talked at length about what was happening in my professional life and how that had left me quite depressed. That was only half of the story. The unfortunate truth is that,…

  • Hi, My Name is Raina and I’m Something of a Bad Ass

    Hi, My Name is Raina and I’m Something of a Bad Ass

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    by

    Raina B.
    in ,

    Friday night, I went with some friends to see the latest Hunger Games film. I’m not really all that into that franchise, but I am into movies about bad-ass women who kick a lot of ass. Speaking of bad-ass women who kick ass, I got into a street fight a couple of weeks ago. Okay,…

  • Get In the Holiday Spirit, Dammit.

    Get In the Holiday Spirit, Dammit.

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    by

    Raina B.
    in ,

    Anyone who comes from a complicated family and/or has been single during the holidays knows how tempting it is to throw a raging month-long pity party (Read: Get drunk and cry, repeat until after New Year’s Day, and then swear that this year is going to be totally different). Or hey, maybe it’s just me.…

  • A Family Affair

    A Family Affair

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    by

    Raina B.
    in ,

    I will echo the same sentiment everyone else has 1,000 times already; I can’t believe it’s Thanksgiving already. I feel like it was only a couple of weeks ago that I was bitching about being so sweaty all the live long day. But yet, here we are. Just days away from me-wrestling-with-Christmas-trees season (wait for…

  • Looking For Peace of Mind

    Looking For Peace of Mind

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    by

    Raina B.
    in ,

    I originally had something different planned for today. To be honest, I can’t remember what it was. Not that it matters. Making jokes and telling funny stories doesn’t feel right this week. I’m writing you from Italy. Florence to be exact. I was in Venice a few days ago when we heard the news about…

  • The Beginning of the End: Part III

    The Beginning of the End: Part III

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    by

    Raina B.
    in ,

    “Coffee? I could drink some coffee.” Now, I’m not super thrilled to admit this part: I got in his car. I wish I could tell you what I was thinking, but clearly, I wasn’t. I wasn’t sober. Not drunk by this point, but obviously not on top of my game. I think I was lulled…

  • The Beginning of the End: Part II

    The Beginning of the End: Part II

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    by

    Raina B.
    in ,

    So, where were we? Ah yes. I was on a date, in a bar, with a gentleman who had recently tried to give up drinking. And I have a hardcore brunch buzz. Right. This is my life, Ladies and Gentleman, and at that moment, I wasn’t loving it. Less than ten minutes in, I already…

  • The Beginning of the End: Part I

    The Beginning of the End: Part I

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    by

    Raina B.
    in ,

    The date that made me quit dating…the first time. Because to be clear, I eventually tried online dating (and quit trying online dating) a second time, but only because my therapist told me to. It was a long, weird afternoon spent in the company of a stranger who said THE strangest things. An afternoon that…

  • I’ve Got the Golden Ticket

    I’ve Got the Golden Ticket

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    by

    Raina B.
    in ,

    The day after I retired from the oil industry, I took the train out to a suburb of Philadelphia to take a dance class. I know the woman who teaches the class; she lives a few blocks away from me in the city. I bought a one-way ticket because the teacher offered to drive me…

  • Under My Umbrella

    Under My Umbrella

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    by

    Raina B.
    in ,

    Living alone and not having an other of any significance, I spend the lion’s share of my waking hours by myself. Which is fine by me, I enjoy the shit out of my own company. I find me hilarious. But, that being said, there are times when I feel like I’m out here all on…