Singledome.

The much-anticipated Zombie Apocalypse has yet to come; I have yet to be ostracized or thrown into a burning pit of fire for my singledom; and am more or less a little less brazen about dating than I seem in this blog.

I don’t know how people seriously date. Meeting people for the first time is truthfully easy, but when you have to vet them for sex, a lifetime of happiness, or even exclusive dating, the pressure definitely comes on. It’s also hard to tell a person’s personality from their Internet dating profile. I’m beginning to suspect that more than a few daters have Cyranos out there writing profiles. (Which come to think of it, wouldn’t be a bad job. Contact me if you’re interested.)

I’m still not out picking up guys in bars; I think I could. The last time I went to a bar by myself I almost got picked up by a feisty miniature animal specialist who laughed at my inability to answer animal trivia questions at the bar. (As a note to anyone trying to pick me up, assuming that I’m an idiot because I don’t share your knowledge base is not necessarily the best way to woo me. Just saying.)

I get the feeling some people pity me in my new single state.

They shouldn’t. Ending a bad relationship is painful, but it’s better than staying in a relationship that’s not so healthy. Putting myself out there to meet new friends is a bit harder, but I’m trying and honestly prefer doing some things on my own.

Of course, sex is not one of them.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get a COLA at any places that I work out when I became single. It’s more expensive living on your own than living with someone else. And, as the media has reported, the cost of some produce has skyrocketed. I have a hard time eating my vegetables before they rot in my crisper and have had to resort to shopping a bit in the frozen food section of my local grocery store. I no longer buy foods in bulk, but instead walk to the local grocery store where things seem to cost quite a bit more.

Beer costs the same.

I haven’t yet resorted to watching couples and crying about how I’m not in a couple like I might have done in Jr. High. When I see couples arguing as they walk past me in the park or grocery store, I’m glad I don’t have to deal with that any more. That doesn’t mean that I’ll never get in a relationship again, just that the single waters that I’ve tested aren’t as bad as I thought they would have been.

And, I haven’t subscribed to Cosmo yet or sites like THIS, but I might have to at some point.