Control issues...

'tis Thursday Friday and as usual I'm dragging in late early the next day with today's yesterday's Men's Club and Demystifying Divas topic. The topic of course is: Who really has the upper hand in the different stages of a relationship? dating - typically men? after marriage - typically women?

The answer to these questions is of course: phin. I always have control in the relationships I'm involved in; it's just one of my many endearing personality traits(right up there with my humbleness).

When I as a strapping young lad in college, not so many years ago, I like so many college going men maintained an upper hand in the relationships by being oblivious to the fact that I was prime "real estate". We collegiate beer drinking athletes oft found ourselves in the care of a truly wonderful woman in spite of our actions and ourselves. The only logical explanation I can find, other than bribery and extortion, for how I managed to "hook up", as the youngsters may say, with the missus is that she had plans for my betterment. As I've mentioned before, while most young ladies play Hard to Get, I took an active role in playing Hard to Want.

During the years prior to meeting the missus I maintained the upper hand because none of the ladies were "the one". I wasn't overly concerned about "our future". I wasn't callous and I didn't play "games", if the relationship wasn't going to progress, there wasn't a need to chase something that wasn't there. So it often ended or I'd tolerate the young lady's urge to convince me otherwise.

I'm not exactly sure when I lost control of the relationship with the missus, although I'm pretty sure it was shortly after we were introduced. This is also about the time the phrases "yes dear", "anything you say dear" and "I think I've already had enough to drink" entered my vocabulary. As our relationship progressed I realized that resistance was futile and the war had already been lost before a battle had taken place.

Shortly after the missus and I were married she'd found the cutest little boxer puppy and wanted to know my thoughts on bringing said puppy home. I of course expressed how I didn't think it was a good idea to bring said puppy home.

So the next weekend as I was building a dog house, where I often receive my meals. I'm thankful that said puppy and I had formed a bond. I also realized that the missus just wanted somebody to keep me warm and protect me on those cold lonely nights when I've said or done something not so bright.

All that said and all joking aside in a healthy relationship, much like the relastionship the wife and I have when I don't have my foot in my mouth, there isn't one person in control. It's an equal partnership in which both parties are giving one hundred percent (A lesson we both learned from out parents, Thanks mom & dad).

For other peeps with control issues:
The mens: The Maximum Leader, Jamesyboy, Stiggy and our guest Tea-Fizz.

The ladies: Kathy, Silk, Phoenixand Guest Diva Paula.

And a special guest postering from the Wiz!