…on the road to better physical and mental health. I had blood work done with my new doctor yesterday morning, and I’ve got an appointment this afternoon for the results. It took Dr. Jo three jabs to draw enough blood because my veins kept “collapsing.” Of course, I’d been fasting and was a little dehydrated, which probably explains it. Anyway, my vital signs are trending in the right direction again (BP mid-130s/80 and resting heart rate under 70), so I’m happy about that. I want to get her advice on what to do about my chronic nasal congestion. Hopefully, I won’t need the surgery recommended by another doctor. We’ll see.

On a whim, I decided to reach out to a woman I tried to court several months ago who declared she wasn’t interested in having a boyfriend. I told her I was still interested, and she responded she’d been lonely too and asked what I had in mind. I told her I was hoping for a companion to share some adventures and good times. She indicated that was something she’d enjoy as well.

So, “Judy” ticks all the boxes: late 30s, no kids, not a bargirl, loves to travel, into physical activities like hiking, and enjoys a beer now and then. No wonder I find her so attractive! And the possibility she might be interested in a relationship with me was especially exciting.

Ah, but then came the caveats: She’s planning on moving to Europe next year. She would be happy to share some companionship but doesn’t know about a love relationship. Her work schedule keeps her busy every night (she does online recruitment from the USA), and she sleeps during the day, so her only availability is on weekends; she asked if we really needed to label it “boyfriend and girlfriend”–couldn’t we just be friends with mutual interests, and oh, let’s keep the relationship secret because her parents are very conservative.

Okay, then. We are going to have dinner sometime this weekend. Think I’ll take her to John’s Steak and Sushi place. Looks like I’ve made a friend, at least. I’ll have to keep searching for someone to love me.

But life goes on, and so do I. A break in the rain, and I headed out to McCoy’s for some beachside beer drinking. The bartender there (an older woman) commented on how lonely I looked. Well, she didn’t comment; she started singing the “I’m Mr. Lonely” song. I just shrugged and told her that there are worse things than being alone.

The rain returned with gusto, pounding down on the tin roof and making further conversation difficult.

When the storm briefly broke, I headed up the beach to Da’Kudos. More beers and some chicken fingers for dinner.

After finishing my food, I caught a trike back to Barretto. I decided to check in with Bhel, my bartender friend at Outback. The place was very busy; not even a seat at the bar. I sat at a small table, and the waitress served me a beer. Bhel was too busy to do more than greet me, so I finished my beer, paid my tab, and crossed the street to Queen Victoria. Took a barstool and ordered up another beer. The staff was friendly and welcoming, but no one there I cared enough about to talk to. So, it was two beers and out.

It was still too early to go home, so I walked up the highway to Snackbar to finish my night. The girls there are actually a lot of fun, and I had a good time chatting and goofing with them. My friend from Kamto sent over some nachos for us to enjoy.

The only thing better would have been having a girlfriend tagging along with me. One of these days!