...Pass the beer nuts

My cousin Anne and I were whining the other day about what bugs us about the opposite sex (we are both still single and have had similar experiences of being blind-sided by a long-term mate who seemed fine one day and nuts the next) and we are contemplating writing a book together. I'm not sure it hasn't all been said before, but I think it might help me with my current attitude...if we could get through it without adding to the emotional scars already present. Actually, I really make an effort to not stereo-type or get involved in sexist thinking because of my occupation as a male massage therapist. I've dealt with enough 'nudge, nudge...wink,wink' attitude to last me a lifetime, and I've only been doing this for 6 years!

Anyway, I know both sides have some really good arguments, but I have to point out that even thinking about 'sides' is where the problem starts. I mean, aren't we in this together? Maybe not. Maybe we are from different planets. But I've heard stories from both sides, and I've heard them from the 'happily married,' the 'bitter divorced,' the 'indifferent singles,' and all the possible permutations and I think it's a little too easy to polarize the sexes. Sure, I'll buy some of the stuff about our brains being wired differently, but when it gets right down to it, only two people's wiring matters, and theirs might be surprisingly similar. (And they lived happily ever after...)

My brother says to me 'I think you should help with the family jewels.' I wonder if he realizes that he's never said that to me until he was married with kids. Kind of skews the data a bit, huh? After reeling through the dozens of possible comebacks for my 'oh so caring' little brother, I figure he's got good intentions in there somewhere, and let it lie. But it does bring up a good point. Being one who's mother taught him that kids should be the product of a loving relationship, I don't believe in getting my heart set on 'having kids' and then going out to look for a suitable female to 'bear them.' It seems heartless to me. Wouldn't it mean more to find someone you love first and then decide about kids afterwards? I know about it being a bit of a business transaction these days, but really. It does seem like a decision for two people. Maybe I should start on that book...

And Justice For All

The state of Minnesota doesn't know if it's coming or going. First, it enacts some silly legislation aimed at alternative health care practitioners, then it jumps the gun when an ex-wife with an ax to grind points a finger at a massage therapist who married the ex's husband. Now the ACLU is all over this case, and the state has rescinded its disciplinary order against the therapist. I hope the therapist gets every penny she wants from the state.

Think Minnesota taxes cost a lot? Try crunching the numbers on what these idiotic lawsuits the state attempts to pursue are costing us. If the state had a clear licensing program in the first place, stuff like this would be less likely to happen. Or at least the practitioners would know when it's okay to have sex with the spouse!

Geez.