Relationship update.

Though I'm polyamorous, I don't always have multiple partners.  I've also avoided talking about my partner(s) here.  It just seems...weird.

My current partner and I live together for almost a year.  The place is small, and perfect for one.  With two, it is crowded.  I've also got two cats, and my partner is a dog person.  Awkward. 

But part of poly is enjoying the differences, and learning about other people.  My partner is starting to like the cats.  (but still wants a dog).  Ultimately, I see us moving to a larger place.  We've worked through the six month contract, have goals as individuals and as a couple.

Currently, I'm facing some health problems, and have been thinking about how having multiple partners can be wonderful in this situation.  About two years ago an acquaintance was battling breast cancer, and had both her husband and boyfriend for support.  I watched at a distance, awed at the situation. 

Six month contract...

After I've dated someone a while, I'll make a commitment. Not the kind most people make, but a simple, 6 month commitment.

Six months is long enough... there's stability, and comfort. We know we can make longer term plans... you know, beyond next weekend.

Of course there are bonuses.... lazy days spent in bed, touching, kissing and well, lots of touching because I love touching... I'm rather addicted to skin. --- the color, the scent, the feel of it.

After a couple six month commitments, I'll sign on for a year. And I'm there for that period of time. We renegotiate, extend the contract...

Or not. it has gone quiet, at a certain point, I'm not talking about my contract or commitment to you... because there isn't one.

Rather harsh? Rather practical? I know what my mother hopes I'll find....practical, dependable and forever.

But I want six months of bliss... followed by a few single year contracts... leading into a friendly break up... where we each find things we need.... in someone else. Is this model too callous? Too logical? I need something to protect me from the NRE...

What it means when I say "I love you."

What it means when I say "I love you."

I say it too much... to too many people.  I love you.  I use it as a thank you, a hello, as a greeting, as an exclamation.

and I mean it... to all those people.  I genuinely want you to be happy, to know that you are loved. To feel the joy and happiness I feel in your presence.

I don't want to wait until the right time to say it.  Years ago I'd calculate when was the best time to utter those three words.  I'd wait six months.  Once a lover muttered it, and I didn't return it... I couldn't ...not until the carefully scheduled day in two months. But now I use it all the time.

Sometimes I say it as reminder that there are others out there that love you....family, friends, future lovers.  They can't always be here to remind you that you are important.  "You are loved" seems a bit distant.  --Although the ad campaign is sincere.

Know now that I love you.  I see your struggles, and love you anyway.  You may not be my lover, but I care about you, and want you to grow, and learn and thrive.  I want to be there to cheer when you succeed, in big and small ways.

Does this mean I want to spend the rest of my life with you?  Probably not.  I love deeply, but don't own the people I love.  So they grow, and go.  And I'm glad, even when I'm crying.

Is this what "I love you" means to you?  Maybe not, but know that I love you.  And I'd rather be generous with those words, to the many people who need to hear them, than to carefully dole  them out at critical moments.

I do love you.  Maybe because of hours spent together, maybe because of years spent together.  And know that I never stop loving.  That's the advantage of Polyamory for me.  We may not have a physical relationship anymore, but I will love you.

Would you rather be right or happy?

Would you rather be right or happy?

This question was posed to me during couples counseling.  Years later I found out that my partner decided to leave me during that session.  Basically, he wanted to be right, and decided he could be right AND happy, if I wasn't around.

I hope that worked for him.  Communication is important.  I think I know what you want, and what I've said... but it is misheard.  I tell lovers to assume that I intend things to sound kind, and gentle.  But sometimes that doesn't happen.

Or worse, I'm trying to be gentle, and the message is lost completely.

Would you rather be right or happy?  I'd rather be happy.  I compromised in that relationship... Did dishes his way, ran on his schedule, fixed him dinner.. but ultimately, his impression was that I always got my way.  I needed that relationship to become who I am today.  I don't regret it.  But wish I had learned faster.

Recent FB thoughts...

Recently on Facebook, I've been annoyed at some friends' posts.  Here are my basic problems:

1. I dislike vicious political posts.  The name calling, the rudeness, seem un-helpful.
2. I'm not religious, and find the posts grating.
3. I've reached a place where I don't need the annoyance of every random thought that pops into someone's head.


Mostly my annoyance is with friends who are disabled, long term unemployed, who are voicing Conservative viewpoints (reduce taxes for the rich, decrease food stamps, increase outrage over the current president.)  It would make sense if they were employed, and making 6 figure salaries...  Because they are unemployed, they have a great deal of time to watch Fox News, get riled up about... whatever the current outrage is.

So I've unfriended them.  It seems strange.  I was so excited when I found them on FB, and now.  Well, I hope they live long and prosper.  And hopefully find some perspective.

Changes....

My world explodes in the next month.  I'm leaving my toxic dysfunctional job for a new job.  My roommate is moving out.... finally.  I've got my kitchen back.  I've got my garage back.

So I was handed a printed e-mail, and asked to distribute it.

My new administrator is old fashioned.  He doesn't understand how e-mail works.

Yesterday he handed me a printed e-mail which he had received, and asked me to copy and distribute to a group of employees before handing it (again) at a meeting later this month.

Wow.  I forget how old school someone can be with technology.