1.29.2008

Chocolate Soymilk + A Date

Thanks a lot, Whole Foods.

Thanks for reminding me that Valentine's Day is only two weeks away and that once again, I don't have a Valentine.

Yesterday, I stopped at Whole Foods on my way home to buy some chocolate milk, which I'd been craving, along with hot cocoa, all weekend. As a side note: Silk's Chocolate Soy Milk is phenomenal. It does seem to contain a lot of sugar, but given that I'll only drink it occasionally as an celebratory or dessert beverage, I should be fine. Indeed, I'm a water drinker 90% of the time.

Okay, so back to my story. At the checkout counter, I was handed a flyer that read:

Single?
Come meet area singles, enjoy a festive atmosphere and sample delicious food pairings throughout our store Thursday, February 7 from 6pm to 9 pm.

Of course, being a bitter singleton with low self-esteem, I got defensive. Why did cashier hand me such a flyer but not the woman in front of me? Is it obvious that I'm single? Sure, I don't wear a ring, but are there other tale-tale signs that mark me as a single woman? Do I have an unconscious tarty air that says, "I'm in the market for love…or whatever I can get"? Was it the fact that I was clearly buying enough chocolate soymilk, apples, and almonds for one? (Once before, a man in line noted that I must live alone because I was only buying enough food for one person. That actually freaked me out—I'm always on alert for potential stalkers!).

For the record, I do not plan on going to Whole Foods next Thursday to find a lover as interested in fair trade, organic and locally grown food as I. Nor will I attend any of the advertised Professionals in the City, etc. "Find a Valentine" events. Given that I met Mr. Rebound last V-Day, I think I'll even avoid my single friends' V-Day night out. Instead, this V-Day I'll be home alone. But don't feel sorry for me. I'll be engrossed in yet another Jane Austen novel, drinking chocolate soy milk, eating glorious take-out, and most of all, celebrating the "damn it, I can be content though single" me.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Blech, V-Day is only fun the first year you're in a relationship anyway...

You don't need to be a bitter singleton! Being single is a good thing. It automatically means you're a stronger person, and you are fully yourself, rather than being an 80% version of yourself with a boy-shaped attachment. Healthy relationships are built when both parties are content in their singledom. And you definitely don't need low self-esteem - you are beautiful and interesting and about to embark on a wonderful adventure. Maybe someday we'll live in a world where singles and non-singles can co-exist without having to be labeled as such. No one is truly single, in a way - we're all dating our friends, family, jobs, and hobbies. We're just not sleeping with them.

What about all the non-single people who go to Whole Foods between 6 and 9 on the 7th? Are they going to get hit on? How awkward.

Yes, Chocolate Silk is SOO good. It takes me about 30 seconds to drink a glass. YUM!

Hippo Q. said...

As always, thanks for your perspective Organica!

LOL--"being an 80% version of yourself with a boy-shaped attachment"! When I was with Floyd, I was probably a 60% version of myself. He and our relationship more or less consumed me. Thankfully, I'm at a better place now so that I can be an 80% or more version of myself when in a relationship. But how I miss the "boy-shaped attachment!" (Dear readers: Get your mind out of the gutter! That’s not what I mean.)

Yes, I am also curious about the sort of grocery store pick-ups and rejections that will take place on the 7th. But not curious enough to stop by and participate.