Ok, so last night being out on my own was interesting. I spoke with a man who is married but in an off and on again relationship/marriage. So, I've been asking him lots of questions about his relationship and he asked me why I am asking so many questions about his wife. I said because he has said his relationship is f'ed up, so I wanted to know if it was as f'ed up as mine is/was. He said no. His banter was kind of annoying - he used a lot of sarcasm, and when I told him I had been abused in my marriage, he said, but what did you do in the relationship that was wrong? Everyone contributes. I felt he didn't understand what I meant by abuse.

After getting to know him slightly better, I determined that he's kind of an a*ss. I don't think he's my caliber of a person, as a friend.

Then another man joined me - another who is also married, but is sleeping on the couch and has been for the last year. They have a four and 1/2 year old boy. He's also been married and divorced once already and has children with that wife but they're older (I think). He has been coming to the same music shows as I have been, so we've been talking a bit. Well, last night after the show he invited me to the local casino, so I went - strictly as friends. We talked a lot more at the casino - I found him to be interesting - he owns his own business - a printing business that he started himself. I find entrepreneurs fascinating since I used to want to be one myself.

So, I stayed out with him at the casino until 2:30 AM. I haven't stayed up that late in ages. We had a lot of fun and won some money that we split. I don't feel guilty or bad or anything. It's his choice to stay out late. I asked if his wife minds him going out alone and he said things are not great between them. I view this man as strictly a new friend, or potential friend at least. He's not a friend yet.

I feel like my alerts are up and I am watching out for potentially toxic people to avoid. That's my biggest concern: is this person toxic or worthy of my time?