So, in order to update the D/A world on what's been going on in my life for the past 2 years or so (and in lieu of pointing to my livejournal, which is actually lengthier and more detailed than this post will be), I am going to make a list of goods and bads. If the good and bad correspond with each other, I will write it as (good)/(bad) (without parenthesis) and if they have a cause an effect relationship, I will write it as (good)bad). I will attempt to write it in some chronological order. And possibly with some explanation.

broke up with Chris/broke up with Chris (late Winter/early Spring 2006)
(This was a good thing overall, except I didn't handle it well.)

had a fling with Ben/was ditched by Ben (Spring 2006)
(Hurrah for a month of snuggles, boo for being left for greener pastures. More on this later.)

worked at Marini's and got a paycheck:ate too much candy and was extra stressed out (Summer 2006)
(At this time I was living in my friend Max's room while he was out of Santa Cruz, in a house with one of my good friends, Dan and Tristan. I also hung out with Chris off and on, and we weren't completely platonic. Whoops.)

moved in with a lady and paid $600/mo in rent/she was crazy and controlling
(She said I could have guests over for the night, but they had to sleep in the living room, but they couldn't bother her, and she didn't like men, and blah blah blah)

moved into my own apartmentaid too much rent (Summer 2006)
(Still the best thing I ever did in my life, living on my own.)

had my friend move in with me:felt taken advantage of
(I was trying to be nice, but when he got a higher paying job than I did and worked more often than I did, I was disgruntled that he didn't pay more than ~$300 a month for rent and utilities when I was paying the rest of $1175/mo plus ~$100 or so for utilities. Plus, the apartment was a studio with a little sleeping area that was only half-walled off, so there was zero privacy, which was a problem later down the line when I had guys over).

quit my job at Marini's: less stress/less money


started a friends with benefits relationship with Dan/was sad he didn't love me like I loved him (Fall/Winter 2006)

dated Ben again:/got herpes (April 2007)
(Probably the thing that has caused the most upset in my life since breaking up with Chris. Really more emotionally damaging than physically problematic, because of the stigma associated with herpes. Also it didn't help that when I had my herpes diagnosis I was also diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis and trichonomiasis. What I learned: When you have an open relationship, either make your partner wear protection with whoever else he fucks around with, wear protection with him, or both.)

had a fling with Lucas/got rejected harshly when I was diagnosed with the herpes (Spring-April 2006)
(Oh, stigma! He was really immature about handling that situation. Sometimes people can really be insensitive, selfish douchebags. Whatever, he was cute, but he was pretty much half bald.)

dumped Ben:was single with herpes (Summer 2006)
(Then I realized, dating with herpes websited exist! Plus, I was still semi-involved, and completely in love, with Dan, though drama occurred and it was a rollercoaster.)

began dating Dan - (~August 2007)
The first thing I could consider bad about this are: he is monogamous by nature, and I don't feel that I am. While he has made some compromises (i.e. I get to play with/date "girls who are in our circle of trust"), I have too (i.e. no more boys other than Dan). However, he pretty much takes care of my every single want/desire/need and is exceptionally loving and basically the best man on earth. Minus the "pretty much" and the "basically". Really, this has not been a problem. The thing that has been a problem is that he's allergic to cats and dogs, both of which I have currently and both of which I'd want in the future. But I think we'll find a way! In reality, nothing actually bad has come of this and the past 6 months have been the best in my life.

finished school:moved back in with my parents
(I love my mom and dad, just not living with them full-time.)

...

In no-good all around news, I've been sick for the past 3 days and last night let my trichotillomania get the better of me. Eugh.