Reasons gay couples annoy me

1. If I buy a concert ticket for one half of a couple for his birthday, do I have to buy the other a ticket as well? I'm having a hard time with this one. I have no problem buying two tickets--one for me and one for my friend. But do I have to buy a ticket for his partner? One part of the couple doesn't really care for concerts and so I don't necessarily want to buy a ticket for him yet I feel that I should buy a ticket for each of them so we all can go together. But it's only one person's birthday and I don't want to buy his partner a ticket on HIS birthday.

2. Why is it necessary to ignore your old friends when in a relationship? You see, I know this one guy who has this tendency to ditch his close friend when he begins dating a new guy. Now normally, I wouldn't have an issue with this except that it keeps happening with absolutely no explanation. I just don't understand this because when on of my girl friends begins dating a new guy, she doesn't shut her friends out and begin solely hanging out with her new guy. I think it's just the incessant desire of a gay man to be in a relationship that causes this.

3. How is it okay for gay couples to have open relationships but not straight couples? I don't get why it's okay and even accepted in the gay world to have multiple partners in a relationship. If a straight couple were to have this kind of open relationship, it would be frowned upon, no? And what's up with gay couples going to "sex parties" (or other parties like them)? How weird is this and why would anyone go to one of these (especially if you are a well-known public official)? But if a straight couple were in an open relationship, society would definitely look down upon you.

4. Why is it necessary for you to tell me what sickeningly sweet text messages your boyfriend is sending to you while we are chatting on IM? Okay, so you both think each other is cute and you love each other to no end, yadda yadda yadda. But really, it makes me barf.

5. Why is there so much jealousy and no communication in gay relationships? Why won't gays talk about their past relationships with their current boyfriend? What are you hiding? If you can't be completely open and honest in your relationship, it will fail. On the other hand, you can't always be jealous an think he's hiding something from you. C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-E!

Bitter? You bet! Thoroughly annoyed? Of course!

On being the 3rd, or 5th, or even 7th wheel

I like being single. I like the freedom I have of not having to constantly be with a partner. I like the independence of not worrying about the feelings of someone else.

Oh, and I'm afraid of commitment.

This being said, there are often times my singleness is greatly emphasized. And I hate it.

This usually happens when hanging out with my boys. And it usually doesn't bother me unless I constantly think about it like I tend to do with things. Brian and Jesse are partners, and Scott is currently dating. Right there, I have 2 couples to deal with.

I don't get into too awkward situations usually where I feel severely uncomfortable. For example, last Monday, Brian, Jesse and I went out to eat at a fancyish restaurant and then a movie. The three of us have gone out many times and we have a lot of fun. There was a time when I was a regular staple at the Nicholls-Nix household. So much so that Brian joked that I was there more often than he was. At their new house, I don't even bother knocking, I just walk right in like I live there too. (I feel I deserve it because of my hard work, sweat, and burnt arm.) (Subliminal message: I need a new iPod.)

Anyway, as I was saying, sometimes, being the 3rd (or 5th or 7th) wheel just isn't a big deal.

Unless, it's emphasized by another person.

This happened on Saturday. After a fun day at the air show with Jesse and his friend Sara, Jesse invited me, Scott, and Ken over to their house for dinner and board games. Russell and Jennie were there as well so we knew we'd have fun.

Jesse wanted to play Cranium and since teams are needed for this, it was blatantly obvious that I was the "odd man out." Jesse suggested I call Melissa to invite her so I wouldn't be left out. I told him just to take me home if it was that big of a deal to him. He protested that it wasn't and away we went.

Cutting it short, we ended up not playing Cranium but another game in which the teams were as follows:

• Russell & Jennie
• Brian & Jesse
• Scott, Ken, & Me

I did feel like the 7th wheel. And I hate it. I feel like I am the poor single friend they invited to hang out with them cause they feel sorry for them or that I'm a drag and they only hang out with out of pity.

*Suggestion* When playing games with friends, if teams are needed, don't make couples automatic teams. I know this upsets some very much (so much they get pissy and ask everyone to leave) but it's only nice and fair. I mean, why do the couples ALWAYS have to be teammates?

Megan's Super Singles Valentine's Day Spectacular!

For the past 4 years, I have spent Valentine's Day with a friend (or friends) having a nice dinner with lots of alcohol. (No wonder my boss thinks I'm an alcoholic.)

Some people tell me this is sad and I sound bitter. Um, whatever. I am celebrating my singleness. There is nothing wrong with being single and I don't need a holiday to tell the people I care about that I (heart) them.

Last night was no exception. Scott, Brian (because technically he's single for 8 more weeks--oh, the possibilities!) and I went out for good food and margaritas. We talked about many things: AIDS, boats, relationships, Adam, Donnie Darko, Jesse and Brian's sex life, and other things.

It wasn't too spectacular, I just like saying, "Megan's Super Single Valentine's Day Spectacular!"

But it was fun.

With one exception. It's hard for me to say this, but I do miss the picture nazi. I have asked Scott multiple times to bring his camera to take pictures at activities of ours and he just has not followed through. So, instead, Scott and Brian took the following pictures with their camera phones in the parking garage as we were saying our goodbyes. It's not as good a picture as the picture nazi would take but don't Brian and Scott look cute! (Remember boys, Scott is VERY available!)

Breakin' up is hard to do

Damn you gay man!

Why do you have to break my friend's heart?

Gay Boyfriend, It doesn't really matter that you are queer!

Ioften wonder why I have so many gay boyfriends. I often joke that I know no straight men, but really, it's not a joke.

Usually, it never bothers me to only hang out with my gay boyfriends. I once gave up hanging out with them at Sundance one weekend to hang out with Anne and other girls. However, I ended up bonding with the gay boy at the party. It was sad.

But last Friday we went to see a movie. It was Jesse, Brian, Scott, Nathan, Josh, his friend Treven, and me. Now, this normally doesn't bother me. I mean, I go to movies with them all the time, right? Like the Saturday before, we went to see a movie and I was ok. But last Friday was different. For some reason, it just really bothered me. I'm not really sure why either. Was it because I was the only girl? No. I'm always the only girl.

The more I thought about it, the more I think it is because I feel like a fifth or third wheel at times. Usually, it is me, Jesse, and Brian. Sometimes, it is us and Scott and Nathan. Seeing anything yet? They are all couples. I am by myself. I often wonder if they just invite me along because they feel like they have to. I feel like I am imposing on a date of theirs or something.

And that's what it was on Friday. It was like the 6 of them were on a group date and here I was, the poor, little straight girl they feel obligated to be nice to. Now, I know that's not how it is. But
sometimes I wonder. Sigh.

I'm not really sure of my attraction to gay men. (Not that kind of attraction!) Maybe I just don't like mediocrity, I don't know. Then, this morning, I realized it. I have so much fun with my gay
boyfriends. Much more fun than I do with girls. Now, I would like a straight guy, so if any of y'all know any single, good looking ones, let me know!

But I am so comfortable around my gay friends. I don't have to worry about another girl being catty or jealous or doing any of the zillion mean things girls do to each other. And, the conversations I have with them are interesting, to say the least. For example, I go to this
Democratic Leadership breakfast on Tuesday mornings and Senator McCoy was there. He is on a diet because he and his partner, Mark, are going on a gay cruise this summer (which we HAVE to do Jesse!). I said that I have always wanted to go on a gay cruise but my girl friends
are always like, "Why?" My reply always is, "Hot, half-naked men on a boat at sea? HELLO! I don't care if they are gay, I just want to look!"

It is these kinds of conversations that I have that make my friendships so fun. It's fun to check out guys with Jesse. It's even more fun to check out guys with Brian! (hehe) But there is just something different and nice about doing this with guys than with girls. It's more fun and I feel more comfortable for some reason.

Besides, there are amazing perks to having only gay boyfriends. Endless fashion advice, craft buddies, hot dates, and no guys mess with me when we are out because I am surrounded by men!