Karma Cleanser - October 17 2001

Karma Cleanser:
I was invited to a party by a friend, and while there I met another friend of his, a woman he had known for some time. She and my friend had tried to date years back, before I knew him, although she ended up not talking to him for a year after they broke up. To get to the point, after a few hours and too many drinks, she and I were outside dancing on the terrace by ourselves, with no one around but the band. She gave me one of those looks, and I gave in completely. We kissed for the remainder of the song. Normally I wouldn’t even be writing this, except that I knew from what she had told me that she was engaged. She’s engaged to someone I don’t know, but is well-known to the friend who invited me (if not all that well-liked). So she’s engaged to him, but not thrilled to be marrying him, from what I gather. I know my karma is wrecked, though. Is there anything I can do to repair the damage?

-- Seeking atonement

Wrecked? Silly boy. Bruised, maybe, perhaps slightly tarnished, but let’s save “wrecked” for something a bit more scandalous. So you kissed a woman who happens to be engaged. It happens. Just don’t pursue this relationship any further until her engagement ends; you probably won’t have to wait very long.

Karma Cleanser:
There’s this guy that I really like. Trouble is, he just got out of a long, off-and-on relationship, and I’m afraid of jumping in at the wrong time. Plus, the guy’s ex-boyfriend has slept with one of my ex-boyfriends, and I don’t want to touch off a huge inferno of drama. Is it wrong for me to make a move on him now, or should I walk away from the whole situation?

-- the Ex-Factor

Wrong in terms of morally incorrect? Probably not. He’s a free man now, and he can go around sleeping with as many of his ex’s ex’s exes as he wants. Wrong in terms of setting yourself up for disappointment? Possibly. The Karma Cleanser suggests that we all know deep down what’s really best for us, but we rarely follow that advice.

Send confessions and questions about how to avoid karmic retribution to karma@creativeloafing.com, or to Karma Cleanser, Creative Loafing, 750 Willoughby Way, Atlanta, Ga. 30312. All entries are anonymous, of course.