“Peeling away, yet I’m compelled to stay, cherishing you from a place between drawing blood & the gentlest touch.” - Hangnail
Hanging on by a thread…
I've been active on Threads and I'm enjoying it so far. However, I haven't fully figured out how the algorithm works. It shows me a lot of content from local users in Charlotte, with many threads about food, traffic, dating, fitness, and life in Uptown.
Read MoreBrian? How are you able to detach, stay neutral, spend so much time alone, travel alone, eat alone, be quiet, sit still, stay optimistic, and still be so handsome?
Don’t answer, it’s rhetorical…
Read MoreMy interest in [redacted] isn't about wanting her, but about why she's not falling for me like others usually do.
The self-proclaimed social media experts, "Hmm... since you got your degree, and you know every fucking thing," would label me a narcissist. But honestly, it’s more of an ego thing than full-on narcissism.
Read MoreLately, I’ve been contemplating a move to Houston, TX, or possibly back to Atlanta, GA. The possibility has me reflecting on how moving can be a profound act of self-love. It’s more than just changing addresses; it’s about consciously prioritizing your well-being over comfort or the expectations of others.
Read More291 → 258 → 225: Charting My Transformation
32.1 Pounds Down in 96 Days
On June 29th, 2024, I stood on the scale during a doctor’s visit, weighing 291 pounds. Fast forward to September 26th, and I’m now at 258 pounds— 32.1 pounds lighter in just 96 days. My goal? To reach 225 pounds by the first quarter of 2025, and I’m well on track to hit, also make weight ;) I anticipate being 243 pounds by December 31st.
Read MoreAfter my divorce, I quickly learned that dating in these un-united of states is different. Our attachment to technology has escalated the disconnection, reducing genuine connections to swipes, likes, and fleeting messages. This experience has transformed my view of relationships.
Read MoreWhat Else Are Women For?
“The world still wants to ask that a woman primarily be pretty and if she is not, the mob pouts and asks querulously, 'What else are women for?”
― W.E.B. Du Bois
Read MoreDeath and Loss: The Weight of Remembrance
The two-year remembrance of my mother brings the weight of grief back into sharp focus, but this time it feels layered with the pain of others around me. Witnessing my co-worker and close friend endure their own losses has deepened my reflections on death. Their grief reminds me of the universality of sorrow, yet each person’s experience is so uniquely personal. As I support them, I find my own grief taking on new dimensions, teaching me not just about the fragility of life but also the importance of remembrance as a way to honor both the loss and the lessons left behind by those we loved.
Read MoreI’m a grown, fully autonomous, adult human man, and I am crushing hard on someone. It’s comical and feels very grade school—like, “Will you go with me? Circle one: Yes or No.”
Read MoreIn November 2020, I wrote a post titled “Love, Undeserving Of” It was a moment of reflection, prompted by someone telling me they didn’t feel good enough for me. I was confused, not because I thought I was above anyone, but because I’ve always held a deep sense of my own worthiness, my capability, and my right to be loved. As always, I went somewhere and 'sat down' to search for clarity and understanding regarding the root of this feeling, not just in others, but within myself.
Read MoreWe all experience sadness— It’s a fundamental part of being human. Whether it stems from a loss, disappointment, or a difficult life situation, sadness is a natural emotion that helps us process our experiences. When I read my daily update via Co-Star I immediately understood. I don't believe I weaponize my sadness, I typically go inward and isolate not wanting to pull anyone into it. However, I recognize a fine line between feeling sad and using that sadness as a weapon in our relationships; love, marriage, friendship, family, and work. When sadness becomes a tool for manipulation, it can damage trust, create resentment, and ultimately deteriorate the foundation of even the strongest connections.
Manipulation is a strong word choice,
"But it is what it is."
Read MoreSinglism, a term coined by expert Bella DePaulo, Ph.D. that refers to the stereotyping and stigmatizing of people who are single.
Read MoreBenefit of the doubt doesn’t apply when it comes to the appeasing of lingering feelings. What I’ve realized is that my friends had emotions tied into previous relationships, just as I had emotions. Closure is finding the ending. And that ending can sound like Adele’s Someone Like You or it sounds like Never Someone Like Me.
Read MoreThere are few phrases as simple yet impactful as "I'm proud of you." When spoken genuinely, it lifts others in ways we might not fully appreciate until we hear them ourselves.
As we navigate through life, striving and working hard, we often doubt ourselves. We chase after goals, endure setbacks, and sometimes get lost in the grind. Amidst all this, it's easy to forget to pause and recognize our achievements, let alone hear someone else do it…
Read MoreHonor among thieves, the 2024 election cycle.
During my last eight years at BofA, I formed strong connections with folks. Yesterday, I felt immense gratitude while talking with a former coworker who has become a great friend. I initiated the call and started with, “I have ten people in my favorites on my phone, and you are one of them.” We weren’t talking about anything in particular, but it highlighted how much I value genuine connections…
Read MoreI’ve been married twice, both times to a Virgo. Their quirks and classic traits have become my baseline. Eighteen years with one and over twenty with the other have shaped my entire adult life. If you asked me how a woman would act in any given scenario, my perspective would be undeniably influenced by my experiences with them…
Read MoreExperiences shape our understanding and appreciation of the world in vivid, lasting images. Art captures the essence of emotions, nature's beauty speaks to our souls through its colors and forms, and cooking becomes an act of love and connection. Each teaches us to think in images, enhancing our lives with memories that stay with us forever.
Read MoreI Smell Mindgames. A double attack with top notes of bitter red pepper, while the heart notes contain agave and geranium, followed up with dark chocolate, and Madagascar vanilla…
Read MoreI wrote this post in December 2013, and it's fascinating how little has changed since then.
Reposting now—
My social media streams are diverse. Included are elements of everything that I love; music, food, photography, sports, and reading [books and blogs]. There are very few antipathies, if I encounter anything I disagree with, rather than debate I remind myself that living souls have the right to believe who, what, when, where, and why they want.
Read MoreConnection crabbing is often the result of a relationship catalyst-- one of two parties seeking to end a relationship, whether social media or ones that spill over into the streets. The other party's hurt and confusion become destructive and are exhibited in this manner, either out of feelings of rejection or a desire to control and hurt.
Read More
