Parting ways

So, my first foray into dating just ended yesterday.  We met up for coffee and decided to just remain friends.  The decision was (thankfully) mutual, and I can honestly say that this was probably the best of all possible outcomes.  I don't regret going on the date at all, and I've learned a lot about myself and how I carry myself in these situations.  I don't think I do too badly -- I can conjure up some charm if needed, and I can usually read signals pretty well.  I've learned that I'm a decent conversationalist, and that being attentive goes a long way.

I'm inserting a gratuitous shot of the Ferrero Rocher Waffle I had at the coffee shop because... reasons.

What I'm struggling with at the moment is answering the question, "How do you muster up the courage and energy to try again?"  I suppose it would have been worse if he or I wanted to continue dating, and the other didn't.  That would definitely be the harder situation to deal with, but I'm faced with the realization that I will most likely have to come up against this again EVERY SINGLE TIME  whenever dating doesn't work out.  Where do people find the energy to get back on the horse?

Pieces of me

Over the weekend, I reopened my Google Drive on a whim and rediscovered some old writing was still there.  I did a whole lot of writing maybe 3-4 years ago, when I was in the midst of my Honours thesis, mainly to distract my mind from the dry, academic writing.  They were mostly fiction (high/dark fantasy, magical realism) and some poetry -- heavily influenced by the usual suspects: Gaiman, King, Martin and a bit of Gabaldon, for good measure.

I reread some of them, and one of them really hit me quite hard.  I didn't expect that something I wrote would affect me so, but there I was: getting teary over a half-written piece about growing old with someone.

What I'd like to do is to share them here, as I found them, entirely unedited.  I'd love for you to all to have a read, and tell me what you think.  Let's see if I can make you cry.

Only Voices

Day 11.