After a bad breakup, everyone has the same advice: “Meet another girl!” But I’m usually kind-of-to-very hurt after a breakup. Hurt by a girl (well, a combo of myself and said girl, but I can’t get away from me, so… hurt by a girl). And the solution is to meet ANOTHER girl? Something don’t jive. If a tiger mauled me, bit my fucking arm off, no one would say, “Go the zoo and see the tigers! Maybe you kin pet ‘um!”
I’m one-armed because a tiger ate leftie, so only a lunatic would suggest I go see MORE tigers, right? Sure, none of these tigers is the one that big off my arm, but why remind myself of that traumatic event? Wouldn’t it be more logical to stay away from tigers? At least until my stump healed and I got used to functioning with only one arm?
I personally try to avoid anything and everything that reminds me of the proverbial “her.” Aside from other “more-than-friend” interactions with other maneater tigers-- I mean, ladies, this includes gifts from her, at least those personal things. They just have to be tucked away until they don’t matter anymore. Out of sight, out of mind and all that.
The avoidance of any of “our songs” is a must if “moving on” is to occur. One day they will be enjoyable to the ears again… most of the time. Once a song has that taint of relatability to a certain someone or time, it’ll always have it. Once in a while, I’ll be listening to a song that’s long since lost any extra meaning, and all the sudden there will be this pang of regret. It comes and goes quickly but can fuck me up for a moment.
Movies can get annoying, too. I’m mainly talking about the dreaded romance or the more common romantic comedy. This is where I’m downright masochistic. There are movies that guys will normally only go to if a girl “drags” them to it, right? But I’m a sucker for that crap, and seeing as how, even in a relationship, I’m am usually dragging the “her” to shit like this under the guise that I think she naturally wants to see it, I’ll go by myself to see one that strikes my fancy even when single. I try to act like it doesn’t bother me yet avoid eye contact with others while in the theatre. Automated ticket buying machines have helped out immensely in this area.
Still, there’s awkwardness of being a solo guy sitting in-between two couples at any movie, especially a romantic one. It’s hell on earth sometimes, but I like going to the goddamn movies, see. I’m not going to stop going just because I have no ladyfriend. There’s a bit of defiance there, but it can give way to “woe is me,” which can make even the occasional decent “romcom” completely depressing. One moment, I’m laughing at the hijinks as the he and the she start off platonically working together or against each other, misunderstanding after misunderstanding… then start to realize they’re both the hottest people in the movie and should therefore be in love. He’ll be only guarded with his emotions enough to make the story last at most two hours, and she’ll only be “quirky” enough to amusingly cause minor complications. It’s not as if he has serious issues that take work to get through or what initially appears to be quirkiness with her is actually an emotional issue that could derail any chance for a real relationship. Me watching a movie like that, spending my limited funds on it for fuck’s sake, is a form of self-flagellation. It’s that sick and simple. I’m taking an already weakened heart and just beating the hell out of it some more watching some superficial shit on the big screen.
Yeah. I know what you’re thinking if you’re still reading this drivel. You’re that transparent. I should ask a female to join me to one of these flicks, right? Or any flick. Or just join me in doing something, right? But I can’t see how taking a one armed visit to the tiger’s cage when the teeth and claw marks haven’t even healed yet is a good idea.
