...recover

...Late nights, parties and me...I'm not used to this and my old carcass certainly is not 24 anymore.

I did not drink much last night, I was up until the early hours.

There was a lot of meat, BBQ meat, meat dishes and I ate only a small amount of the meat free dishes - including G's cupcakes : ) and my banana bread.

My neighbour has a very large extended family and they are all carnivorous. I have discovered that it is not worth discussing your views on vegetarianism to certain individuals who completely misinterpret what you are saying. Some people take offence because they 'think' that you are being dismissive of the food provided. THAT was not what I had said. Perhaps some people are simply looking for a net to catch you in, a comment to turn into a dispute.

I cried, quietly, at the backlash where no insult was intended. It was clear that I was not in any 'wrong' position, and a guest comforted me in the knowledge that my talk of plant-based diet was absolutely ok and that any offence was rather unduly taken. Thank you for that, G's nephew.

Note to self. Do not discuss your dietary preferences. It's not worth it. Write about it, sure. Just be more careful about where and to whom you discuss this with.

I know, I have been here before. Having staunch views on the subject of the food industry, one's personal dietary habits is not a necessary conversation to assume. Not every one can understand, not everyone could possibly get their head around it.

I am happy to retract my views, if it has upset someone, even though I know that it is their stance that is more offensive. I don't mind. I know my own views on 'meat', vegetarianism, veganism, plant based diets. What works for one individual will not work for another. We are all entitled to our own. I would not consider pushing my views onto anyone, although I do consider them to be valid - to my lifestyle and beliefs.

The truth is, my body does not 'get on well' with a meat-based diet. I have known this since I was a small child, and meat eating was a challenge for me. By the time I was fourteen years old, I chose vegetarianism. Neither does my body tolerate dairy products, at all. Since childhood, I had a problem with dairy as well. Since having eliminated dairy and all meat, I feel well within myself. That's ok, in my world, that is a part of who I am. Marmite is not for everyone.

Well. As I said, I may have unimpressed one man, but clearly impressed another. It's a surprise. I classify myself as a, 'naive flirt'. I happily do my sociable, smiley, talkative, fun and extraverted me. I talk with everyone and anyone, regardless gender, creed, race, religion, sexuality, social status and I imagine that my outward going personality can be construed as flirting. When you are as ugly as me, you certainly need personality : )

Apparently, according to Gilbert, I was great company last night : ) Would I meet for coffee?

Gilbert was the quietest guest, really...I don't remember having more than a short conversation with him. Maybe, a quietly observing type.

I am not entirely sure if he is G's cousin or cousin of a cousin, or brother of....etc. I know that he seemed very chill and kind. Gentle soul.

I'm no cheap date. I respect my body and myself. I do not agree with rushing into anything. Where's your CV? What you about? I need all of your credentials to see if you are worth my time and energy. I will watch your every move. A whiff of BS, and you can leave. If you are not genuine...byeeeeeeeee. More than this. I am very aware of the modern culture of people who think that it's ok to jump into bed. I would like to see your sexual health condition as well, in an ideal world.

There are one hell of a lot of STD's about and I think that it would be realistic to have continuous sexual health check-ups. Twice a year dental check ups, an annual medical is pretty normal (I have this each year, including 3 -4 annual visits to the dental hygienist) and regular meet-ups with my doctor to monitor my mental health.

Both men and women are highly irresponsible when they move from partner to partner without having check ups. Do they realise the danger they are putting themselves in? No. They don't actually care. They do not care about who they may be infecting, or if they are infected. It never ceases to amaze me. I will be having a sexual health check up, again - even though my current 'partner', appears to be very clean (ie. not promiscuous) You can never be too careful. For all I know, he could have a woman at every port : ) And how would I know?

Celibacy has never been more appealing. Really. One never knows, during the absences, where or whom they may have gone to. My current partner and I are not 'betrothed'. Even though I am a one man woman. He may not be a one woman man.

In addition to this, STD's and irresponsible sexual encounters, there is the risk of unwanted pregnancy. Then what? You are then bound together over children that neither party had wanted (or one had wanted in order to control and manipulate a partnership) It is not unheard of for women to trap men (through sudden non-consented pregnancy) In these situations, you are in a position wherein you become bound to the 'other parent' forever. Forever. Sharing child/ren, you are bound to each other for life. This cannot be undone. I have seen this occur and it's a sad situation, especially for the children. They did not ask to be born into an unstable and irresponsible situation. How many times in my life have I witnessed this? Many. Heartbreaking stuff. Not only is this unfair on all parties involved, there are sick individuals who will further use the child/ren as pawns in their game of manipulating and game-playing, for monetary extortion, for emotional blackmail - using their own children as bait. Using their children as tools for manipulation. Sick. I have seen this too and the child becomes damages a s a result of this. This is the sort of behaviour that makes me weep. There are people in this world who are this sick. Yep. Celibacy actually becomes the better option.

In an ideal world sexual health check up should be compulsory and what to do about unwanted pregnancies where the children are used as pawns in a sick game of manipulation? There's nothing to do. Sick parents exist. That is that.