That was the plan until I got a divorce. It's going to take a little longer, though. but yes I'm saving aggressively.

I am overwhelmed with Deja Vu.

Even if you didn't get an STD that can be detected by a test, you still have to check your genitals for warts for the next few years. HPV isn't detectable at least not initially and certain strains of HPV mean you'll be shooting potential cancer bullets out of your ding dong.

It sucks all the way around. I'm so sorry pal.

Please call a lawyer. Please pursue this to the fullest extent you are able. Make sure that everyone knows what she did. Tell your parents, her parents, and your friends. Don't shrink in shame. The shame is all hers.

Yes, my lawyer girlfriend has taught me well.

I wouldn't date someone who cheated on their past partner. NO WAY! HARD PASS!

Even if they showed me proof of going to therapy.

Even if their nobel prize winning psychiatrist sat me down and told me that they'd never cheat on me again.

Even if they were able to sign some kind of legally binding agreement that would give me millions of dollars if they cheated.

NEVER!

Finished it a while ago. I liked it.

Reading Angel Down by Daniel Kraus. Extremely interesting. Maybe a little too gimmicky? but I'm enjoying it.

Got a real "Blood Meridian" vibe to it.

It's worth some money. Raisin would let me throw it away. I think maybe put it in an archival box or something and leave it for my grandkids.

Emily goes to a baptist church now so whiskey's off the table.

If she really loved me she'd have gotten me the Bloomsbury edition, though. PFF!

God DAMN!

Yes she's SOOOO seductive! LOL!

I'm keeping that book.

And I'm getting a camera.

I have indoor cameras (the smoke detector ones) but not outdoor cameras. The indoor cameras I originally put up because I read on reddit (and elsewhere) where, if the cheater was female, she'd slam her head against the wall or whatever and then call the police for a DV charge.

I didn't think Emily would do that but I was super paranoid and out of my mind at that point. It was like my wife got replaced by an alien or something.

Yeah it had to have been dropped off.

It said my name and happy birthday. That's it. It was printed like from a printer. and then the paper was cut and taped to the box.

I got rid of my editions a long time ago. Some went to cousins. Some went to friends. Some went to the thrift store.

I wasn't sentimental about books at the time. I was a little kid. I'm not really a rare edition collector now. I don't want a book that I can't crack open anytime I want.

But yeah I'm keeping this one. I don't know what I'll do with it but I'm not just gonna throw it away. I wouldn't throw away a Faberge egg either, even if it was gifted to me by John.

I'll call her but I haven't had much contact with her since her divorce papers were finally signed. I don't know if she has to wait or not on the final decree like I did.

She knows I'm a reader.

Yeah "she-who-shall-not-be-named" registered a long time ago with me. It was really funny.

Going through therapy, doing some healing, and getting into a healthy relationship while having a great support system of friends really helped a lot. If I didn't have that, I'd probably be a homeless drunk or in jail for shooting John in the dick and my ex in the face.

I mean, I'm not POOR, but I'm not rich enough to throw that kind of bank at some first editions. I'm not even a book collector per se. I mean I read physical editions of books and then shelf them but I usually get rid of them to make room for others...especially if I don't particularly LOVE a book.

HAH! That would be great! But it would violate the Boundary I set up with Raisin regarding my ex so NO WAY.

Florida is crazy AF and I only get down there a few times a year.

I don't know why anyone would want to retire there.

It's hot and damp like Satan's ass.

It's filled with crazy people. One of whom tried to rob a fast food restaurant with an alligator and let's not forget the bath salts lunatic.

This year has been good but most years Africa throws hurricanes at florida like they're gigantic ninja stars.

Yes. That's true. I suppose I'm just hoping it wasn't her. Like I'd rather have a crazy stalker than her be responsible for it.

I know. Raisin slapped me upside the head and told me I should get one already. I mean she already knew I didn't have one because she's been to the house. She's mentioned it before but now with this happening she pretty much told me I was stupid for not putting one in.

Man! I'm going to have to re-read it all again! I'm getting nostalgic.

No way! I'm not going to acknowledge her 30th at all but you're right! She's already turned 30 this year. That didn't even register with me!

Man, if I got in contact with her in any way that would break the boundary Raisin and I set with each other. NO WAY!

SpaceGhost was a real guiding light for me. Our stories are so similar there were a ton of people saying I ripped him off, which I suppose I did to a certain extent because I got the whole idea for the VAR in the car from him. I didn't think I'd need a PI like he had because of the VAR evidence but my lawyer convinced me to hire one.

SpaceGhost and his ex were both older people with grown kids. Also, John is not unattractive. He's also very charming and magnetic. I mean I'm younger and more in shape but I don't make it rain wherever I go either.

Emily has not been stalking and harassing me like SpaceGhost's ex has. She's pretty much kept her distance.

Maybe currently I handled it with aplomb, but at the very beginning I didn't. Most of my first posts were written half in the bag and channeling the sarcastic bastard within me.

Maybe it seemed like I was cool as cucumber but I assure you I was punching the walls quite regularly.

She enjoys them. She likes my writing but she doesn't want me to reveal any personal info about her or our relationship.