NB and I got into our first argument Tuesday night! A milestone, I think, considering it ended well. In fact, even though we were arguing, the entire conversation was very intelligent and considered. We were talking about feelings and experiences and our own take on the situation in question, without getting petty or defensive, or insulting each other. Yes, there were some hurt feelings (that's what started the whole thing), and there were some times during the conversation when one or the other of us felt as though we weren't being treated fairly. But, my god, it was such an easy conversation to have. Not that I hope we argue often, but if we do, I hope they're all as easy as that argument was. Seriously -- it was so civilized, I don't think I would ever call it a "fight". I don't think I've ever been in a relationship where we worked out a disagreement in such a (cough) mature way. Even as it was happening, I was marvelling at how easy it was. I feel like such an adult! Or maybe it's just that he and I are so compatible. Either way, I learned last night that NB and I can disagree successfully. SO IMPORTANT. I'm all set with the drama.

My last weekend as a free woman was actually pretty interesting. Friday evening I worked at the local, then I headed in to Boston to meet up with NB and one of his co-workers at Jacob Wirth's in the theater district. That place closes early, so I suggested we head over to the Chuck, since it was karaoke night, and it's really close by to where we were, and to NB's neighborhood. I had also walked by earlier on my way to Jacob Wirth's, and one of the guys who worked there was standing in the window and saw me and waved, so I thought we could go by and say hello. When we arrived, I was given a heads up by a friend who was smoking outside that Jason was inside. This wasn't really a big deal to me, as I figured I'd run into him sooner or later at this place, since he was the one who introduced me to it. So I walked in, and there he is, along with his girlfriend and his best friend. I said hello to some people I knew there, then I walked right over and said hi all three of them, and gave them all hugs. I didn't hang around and talk to them at that point because I got distracted by a couple of other people whom I hadn't seen in quite a while.

NB and his buddy and I grabbed a seat, got a drink, and sat there for a few minutes, and I got up to talk to two of the guys I'm friends with that were there. At one point in the conversation, one of the guys brought up Jason's being there, and basically said, if you're supposed to be friends, why don't you just be the bigger person and actually go over there and be friendly. And that's when it dawned on me that, yes, it's silly to be acting strange around each other when there's really nothing to feel strange about. So a little bit later I walked over to Jason and sat down and chatted with him for a second, and then Jessica and Katie walked back over (they had been in the ladies' room), and I talked to the both of them briefly. Jessica was as nice and friendly and sweet as I remembered her being, and Katie was Katie. Anyway, they were headed out, and I said goodbye, and it was really no big deal. In fact, it was kind of nice to see Jason and Jessica together; they looked so happy, and seemed like they really enjoyed each others' company and all that good stuff.

But, honestly, the best thing about seeing Jason was realizing that I'm truly emotionally capable of having a friendly, easy conversation with him. I don't know how to describe it, except to say that I think seeing him again finally made me realize that I'm over him, romantically, and I'm capable of moving on with my life. Not to mean this in an insulting way or anything, but I wasn't even attracted to him in the least! Which, I think, for most women, is a really important part of getting over an ex. So that was what it was. I know Jason was drunk at the time, and he may not have had as much clarity about the situation as I have, but I keep hoping he'll get in touch with me to hang out eventually. At this point, I've decided I'm not going to push the "friends" issue, because he may not be in the same place as me, and as far as I know, he may not even want to be friends with me anymore. (God, that's a sad thought.) I'm pretty much an open book -- Hello Internet! -- so I hope that he takes the initiative to contact me when he feels comfortable.

So anyway, Saturday night NB and I went out with a few of his friends in Cambridge. Then Sunday we went to the Art Deco exhibit at the MFA, and that was really cool. We're actually planning on going back this weekend for a little bit to check out some of the other galleries, since we get another free admission within ten days from the tickets we bought for the Art Deco show. So I'm guessing that we'll spend Saturday afternoon there. And then afterward, we get to pick up the guitar that NB bought last weekend! We went to Daddy's Junky Music last weekend, and he bought a pretty cheap used guitar, because he wants to re-learn how to play. While we were there, I bought a book on bass technique, and I think I'm going to start playing around with my bass again. I've been wanting to for ages, but NB's interest in learning an instrument kind of kicked my butt into gear about actually picking my instrument up again. It's been over five years, so it's going to be like starting fresh again, but that's probably a good thing for me, since I bet I picked up lots of bad habits the last time around.

Then on Sunday, a whole bunch of people are going out to watch the Pats game. So exciting!!! I'm really looking forward to it. And on Monday, since NB and I both have the day off, he's going to come up to Salem, and we're going to make furniture together. I'm really looking forward to it -- I love putting things together like that. He wants a table for under the window in his bathroom, so he can put some plants there in the sun, and eventually we might get up the nerve to even build him a nightstand (he's using a box right now). We're going to research some styles, and maybe on Saturday we'll go over to the Boston Public Library and check out some books on carpentry to get some ideas. If it comes out well, I'll take some pictures and post them. Should be fun!

That's about all I have for you right now. School is pretty great at the moment -- I learned how to read an EKG yesterday! So exciting! Seriously -- it was one of the few lectures I've been really interested in since I started in September. I love that kind of practical, useful knowledge. I start my community nursing clinical next Tuesday, and I have an exam on med administration on Friday, so it's going to be a busy week. Hopefully the Pats will pull through for me on Sunday and make it all worthwhile, though. Hope everyone has a great long weekend! Go Pats!