Freedom!

In a way, for the first time in a while, emotionally-speaking and specific to my relatinships to women, I am content:

* I am not in love with anyone, although there are women whose company I enjoy and whose bodies I would adore;

* I am not betrothed to anyone, not to any single person anymore; and

* Friendships of all sorts mean a lot more to me than perhaps they did when I was betrothed/married and ensconced in the cocoon of monogamy. And not just the friendships with benefits, but the non-carnal ones as well.

This Saturday I had a wonderful time, made a new friend who is a writer, and then got to see an old and new friend in the same person, as we were not really friends in college but became friends this year. In both settings, the conversations were wonderful - different, obviously - in their unique ways. The Guiness at Blue Bar was tasty and it was fun to watch the hustle and bustle in a busy hotel bar on a Saturday night, and my new friend and I talked about writing, among other things. The jazz bar (Louis 649) was a neat little hole in the wall, and my friend and I talked about our common college bonds (GWU) and about turning 40.

And then Sunday evening, my traveling buddy came over, had some cheeseboard, drank some wine, and we shared poetry (see below). Then she knitted while I painted, and it was a very good time.

So, it is nice to feel free, to explore, to make new friendships and strengthen old ones, to enjoy the sights, smells and sounds of different women and enjoy their eyes.