I must point your attention to the latest addition to my Blogroll … Red Wine and Sleeping Pills.

I’ve been laughing my ass off reading his posts. I had high expectations, because I know Dan, but damn, this shit is good!!!

∗ Posted by Monique on 05.26.2006
∗ Uncategorized
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I love Trader Joe’s. I went there after work this afternoon — I bailed at 3:45 p.m. AND I was the last person left in my department so I don’t feel guilty at all! — to get some of their $2.99/bottle wine, which I’ve heard is quite good, and a few other things. I picked up some sushi for $3.99, six California rolls and then two mounds of rice with crab on top (can you tell I don’t eat sushi much? lol). Muy delicioso. I ate four of the pieces and, assuming I’m not in dire straits from store-bought fish, I will probably eat the other four later!

Long weekends still give me the willies. They remind that I am, despite all of my friends, alone. I’m sure I’ll stay busy and something always comes up. If nothing else, I have my $2.99 chardonnay for company. ; )

∗ Posted by Monique on 05.26.2006
∗ My life
∗ Comments Off

This part of the post was written on May 18:
I’m taking an HIV test.

Although I am fairly sure the results will be negative, I still am terrified. I have only had unprotected sex a few times, and that was back in the early days of my marriage. We both were virgins before dating each other and I was on the pill. But, eventually, I got too freaked out about the possibility of getting knocked up so back to the Trojans it was.

I actually have been thinking about being tested for quite a while, but wasn’t sure where to go. Some tests are confidential, some are anonymous — I wanted anonymous. A friend pointed me in the direction of the home-testing kits and I paid $59.99 for the test that promises results in three days. ($20 extra was worth it not to have to wait a week.) I won’t take the test until Monday, because weekends don’t count towards the three-day window.

I — who am terrified of needles and blood — will have to prick my own finger. Yikes. If I can’t go through with it, I guess I’ll be a wuss and call my diabetic friend to stab me.

May 25:
So I took the test. It was a kind of an ordeal — despite pricking my finger twice, I couldn’t fill the sample circle fully but sent in my test anyway. I called tonight — and my heart was beating through my chest.

Negative.

Thank God.

I have known people with HIV. They all were infected by deceitful partners. People they loved and trusted who were sleeping around. While HIV isn’t the death sentence it was 20 years ago, it ultimately will take these people before their time.

Look, I know, sex feels better without a condom. My ex-husband and I went without in the early days of our marriage. But unless you are in a committed, monogamous relationship and you’ve both tested negative at least twice, with tests taken at least six months apart, you’re at risk — and realistically, you’re at risk no matter what. Just be smart and protect yourself, ok?

∗ Posted by Monique on 05.25.2006
∗ Friends, Let's get it on, Love life, Monique's favorites, My life
∗ Comments (8)

I was reading the latest issue of “Cosmo” tonight while enjoying a delightful salad at Panera — hell, let’s be honest, I just went for the piece of bread that comes with the salad lol — and came across this bit of info, which is what I thought all along, as I’ve encountered this twice now …

Signs that a man still is hung up on his ex:

1. He wants an instant girlfriend, to recreate the commitment level of the last relationship because he’s looking for comfort and to plug the hole she left in his life. Example: Week 3 with Mark, “So are we boyfriend and girlfriend now or what?”
2. He’s a really good listener, asking lots of questions about you and your past relationships but not revealing anything about his past because it’s a touchy subject for him. Example: Date four with Scott, he said, “It would be nice to see you vulnerable,” and wanted to know the low-down on my marriage.

Sigh. Oh well, what’s the refrain? Say it with me: “Better off without them!”

∗ Posted by Monique on 05.25.2006
∗ Love life, Uncategorized
∗ Comments (2)

I thought I’d be clever and start a new pack of bc pills on Sunday even though I finished the last pack on Saturday. Why have a period this month? I didn’t feel like dealing with it (when do I ever??? lol).

I’ll never fucking do that again.

I have been so damn emotional this week. Like, driving to work this morning, I got all teary fucking listening to “Send Her My Love” by Journey. WTF? I got teary watching “American Idol” tonight (I’ll vote for Taylor, if I can get through) and I got teary watching an episode of “Frontline” on PBS about sex trafficking in Eastern Europe. And I’m scowling! Oh my God. I was out tonight and I realized that — despite the sunshine, despite the 70 degree temperature — I was fucking scowling. What the hell????

And I didn’t even have a good reason to fuck with my cycle. It’s not like I’m planning to mark Memorial Day with an orgy. I’m not even anticipating any action. About all I’ll be lucky to score will be some food at a cookout or two. Sigh.

∗ Posted by Monique on 05.23.2006
∗ Annoyances
∗ Comments (8)

It’s like an old-school bulletin board … but waaaaay cooler!

It’s oddly addictive — I can’t stop posting.

∗ Posted by Monique on 05.22.2006
∗ Blogging
∗ Comments (1)

Grins has named me her “Single of the Week“!

Welcome if you are visiting from her site; and if you haven’t been over there, be sure to stop by!

P.S. If you need extra incentive, you can see my picture (kind of lol)!

∗ Posted by Monique on 05.22.2006
∗ Blogging, My life
∗ Comments (7)

Gender-appropriate man sandals.

(Much better than this.)

∗ Posted by Monique on 05.21.2006
∗ Uncategorized
∗ Comments (11)

It’s a blow-out sale on renters this week!

With My Devilish Side, you get not one, but two bloggers: Devilish Girl and Reaper Girl!

Sweeeeet!

I had 13 other fab-tastic bidders but I had to go with the girls ’cause (a) their template is awesome, (b) I totally agree that sometimes you have to let your inner devil come out and play (hmmm did some of that earlier today … wink!) and (c) Reaper Girl’s post about an upcoming family wedding and the bi-atch bride just warmed my heart. I love me a good bitchy bride story!

Swing by and check the ladies out this week …

∗ Posted by Monique on 05.21.2006
∗ Renters
∗ Comments (1)

Why do moments of clarity occur when they are least convenient?

Like, tonight for example. It’s Saturday night. I don’t want to think nor have unfun things brought to my attention.

I just want to watch “Without a Trace” and “48 Hours Mystery,” admire my cute haircut and eat popcorn.

Sigh.

∗ Posted by Monique on 05.20.2006
∗ My life, Television
∗ Comments (2)