Ending a long relationship is painful.  I've been uncharacteristically grumpy and mean according to my colleagues, and I've sensed it myself.  This weekend has been particularly tough, and as I was standing in a bookstore browsing, I found a book on ending relationships and what steps one can take in the healing process that can be helpful.  Among the things suggested were burning pictures of the ex, or destroying things they left (none of which is appealing to me), having a "de-commitment" ceremony, (again, not something I'm likely to do), and finally, doing something you'd always wanted to do but never did.

Well I thought the latter might be a good idea.  I've toyed with the idea of getting my nipple pierced for years but never done it.  Well today was the day.  I finally stepped up to the plate (or should I say lay down on the table) and let some cute 20 something dude with more holes in him than a spaghetti drainer, jab a 14 gauge needle through my right nipple and thread a horse-shoe shaped, barbell capped piece of surgical steel through it.

It hurt like a $#@#$*!  But just for a second.  It actually looks kinda hot if I do say so.  It tingles still as well, and it will be a while before it heals, but hey, I finally did it!

I'm not going to expose the world to a picture -- if you want to see it you'll need to click here:.

Afterwords I had a lovely Italian dinner, and again, took the "new thing" plunge and had a  glass of a very good wine.  I grew up not drinking, and never really developed a taste for it.  However in the past few years I have some colleagues who are wine connoisseurs (snobs), who've had me taste some things that I found quite nice.  Well I had a glass of an expensive Italian red that felt pleasant and warm going down, tasted good,  and made dinner all that much better -- plus it dulled the pain of the relationship ending as well as the pain in my nipple.

Here's to doing something new!  (Ouch, note to self, don't raise arm while holding a glass while shirt is on and nipple is healing..)