Reborn As An Early Retiree, I Now Wander America’s Costliest City: Volume 3, Chapter 12

 

WHAT’S ON MY MIND

Living single again. As of Friday I’ve ghosted The Muse. I’ve also blocked her phone number. I got the sense she was looking for something better due to my height and weight, which is… interesting.

By Thursday night I learned who The Muse really is. She plays this early forties woman down on her luck, but the reality is she’s a bottle blonde (she’s gray) boss bitch, five years older than advertised, financially irresponsible, doesn’t make six figures, needs four inch heels to be six feet tall, could lose 40-50 pounds like myself, doesn’t view men as equals, and her cup size would get her on the honor roll instead of a centerfold spread. 

Before you get your thongs twisted in a wad, I’m not really that bitter or cruel. I’m simply applying the Boss Bitch’s impossible standards for men onto her to illustrate the toxicity of today’s dating scene. The reality is that if The Muse had reciprocated my efforts, didn’t have a boss bitch persona, and was honest about herself from the start I would have gladly accepted her. Instead, I have my freedom and I’m grateful.

The Muse had her chance to snag a “5-6-no comment” that can be sweeter than sugar when treated right, impersonated Kadarius Toney catching a football, and my surprise Christmas present is dodging a financially straining bullet. Now I’m feeling the holiday spirit!

WHAT I ATE

Del Taco. Christmas and New Year’s falls on a Wednesday so I had my quarterly fast food meal a week early. I also stress ate both eggnogg and gingerbread truffles from Williams Sonoma during the week due to things regarding The Muse. Ruh roh!

WHAT I BOUGHT

I wanted a TUMI Alpha passport case ($135) that matches my bags and backpacks, and I also picked up a multi window card case and a slim card case from the brand new Alpha X line ($125 each). 

WHAT ELSE MADE ME HAPPY

That syrah rose wine I picked up at Dudley’s a few weeks ago was deelish! If I take the fastest route there, it’s less than 50 miles away. I think I see a lunch “date” with Artoria in my near future.

A few hours after I ghosted and blocked The Muse I went to Vons to pick up hand soap. As I walked past a woman leaving the market, either my bespectacled looks or my broad shoulders and chest turned her head. It’s noteworthy because this woman was definitely half my age. Ara ara!

LET’S PLAY… MINI MAXI

A Volvo XC90 is the only participant this week, but there’s a Tesla parked behind Miku that’s giving me Donald Trump - Hillary Clinton 2016 Presidential debate vibes.

WHAT I LISTENED TO

Songs from Living Colour’s Vivid album such as “Open Letter”, “Cult of Personality” and “Glamour Boys”. Now those are some great tunes that deserve more airplay!

WHAT SACRED TEXTS I READ

• The Odyssey (in progress)
• I Can’t Say No To The Lonely Girl, Volume 5
• Neighborhood Story, Volume 4 (final volume)
• I Have A Crush At Work, Volume 7
• Life With An Ordinary Guy Who Reincarnated Into A Total Fantasy Knockout, Volume 5
• Fairy Tale Team-Up: Robyn Hood and Red Agent

Also from J-Novel Club…

• The Hero And The Sage: Reincarnated And Engaged, Volume 3
• The Poison King: Now That I’ve Gained Ultimate Power, The Bewitching Beauties In My Harem Can’t Get Enough Of Me, Volume 3 (finished)
• An Introvert’s Hookup Hiccups: This Gyaru Is Head Over Heels For Me!, Volume 9 
• Duchess In The Attic, Volume 3 

WELCOME TO SLAPSVILLE

I'm too giddy to slap anyone this week. Moving on…

A HUG GOES TO…

Anyone out there that’s struggling this holiday season. Remember that you’re worthy of being loved and respected.

WHAT’S UP WITH MY HEALTH

Mentally, I feel like a great burden was lifted off my shoulders. Physically, my knees are nearly 100% and I've been pain free for a few days. 

As for my weight, I’m… down to 255.8? Even after stress eating truffles and drinking wine for dinner almost every night? 

I can have pizza for Christmas dinner without guilt! 

WHAT’S UP WITH MY WRITING

I’ve edited the first four chapters of my 2023 novel, and I feel really good about the “heavy lifting” I’ve done to streamline the story. 

But in light of my recent real life dating misadventures and the novel’s target audience, do I really want to write a romance novel from a woman’s POV? Or the POV of both the female and male protagonists? 

Honestly, I’ve lost my enthusiasm to continue this project. I feel like I’m feeding the beast that makes dating a living hell for me. I’m ready to trash the manuscript, but I'll wait a handful of days before I make that decision.