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.…Continue reading Once Upon a Breakdown
Hi, My Name is Raina and I’m Something of a Bad Ass
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…Continue reading Hi, My Name is Raina and I’m Something of a Bad Ass
Get In the Holiday Spirit, Dammit.
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…Continue reading Get In the Holiday Spirit, Dammit.
A Family Affair
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…Continue reading A Family Affair
Looking For Peace of Mind
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…Continue reading Looking For Peace of Mind
The Beginning of the End: Part III
“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.…Continue reading The Beginning of the End: Part III
The Beginning of the End: Part II
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…Continue reading The Beginning of the End: Part II
The Beginning of the End: Part I
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…Continue reading The Beginning of the End: Part I
I’ve Got the Golden Ticket
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…Continue reading I’ve Got the Golden Ticket
Under My Umbrella
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…Continue reading Under My Umbrella