Thursday, April 22, 2010

One night stands



They happen with gay and straight people. They happen with the young and old and those in between. They sometimes involve sex. But not always. Yes, I've had one night stands that weren't sexual at all. Here are a few of them.
  • Neighbor friend and I go for a bike ride. Nothing bad happens. I expect we'll go again. But I never ask and neither does the neighbor. We see each other at church. We even chat. But no bike rides are scheduled.
  • Different neighbor friend has a cabin. His son and my son are the same age and buddies. My son and I are invited to the cabin. Nothing bad happens. I expect to be invited again sometime. My son and his son go to the cabin mutliple times particularly after they both get their drivers licenses. I see my friend at church. We chat. Eventually I out and out say, "If you ever need any help up at your cabin, just let me know, I'd love to lend a hand." Never again am I invited to the cabin. We continue to see each other at church. We chat. I can't bring myself to ask him, what happened, how come I never got invited back?
  • College buddy invites me to go skiing. We have a good time. At least I think so. Nothing bad happens. But I don't ever again invite him to go skiing. He doesn't ever again invite me to go skiing. Eventually we lose track of each other, but sometimes when it snows, I think of him and wonder what happened. The I tell myself, you can't hold on to every friendship and aqauintance.
  • Yet another neighbor and I go for yet a different bike ride. Nothing bad happens. We both say we'll go again sometime, but I never invite him and he never invites me. We see each other at church. We even chat. But no bike rides are scheduled.
Sometimes I wonder if there's something wrong with me. Other times I know it's because I'm gay and they're straight and their gaydar goes off and they back away. Then I say, no, that's not it. Just because I'm still kind of homophobic doesn't mean they are. Then I remember that in three of the four cases above, I didn't do anything to try to advance the friendship. Sometimes I'm too judgemental though. I read about guys who have sex or something close to it with other guys, and then when the relationship stalls I can hear myself judgementally saying, "Well if you hadn't had sex, you'd still be friends." But the point is, sometimes there's just not enough energy in a relationship to carry it forward. Maybe it's nobody's fault. Maybe it just is. At least that's what I tell myself on beautiful spring days when I think about bike rides and trips to cabins.

4 comments:

  1. There's a guy that works for the same company I'd like to know better, though he mostly works in a different building. A couple of months ago he told me about a bicycling vacation he had planned for Mississippi. Our paths crossed last week and I asked him how was Alabama. He corrected me like a cranky high school teacher. What did I do?

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  2. Sometimes friendships are much more temporary and casual and don't seem to last more than a single encounter or moment in time. Other times, friendships are long lasting and meaningful and connections are made that will last forever.

    Both are of value. But, neither can be forced. Friendship takes work, commitment, loyalty, caring, concern, trust...just as any other relationship. But it can't be forced... it just is. If one side does not feel the connection or the need to connect as friends, then it isn't going to happen.

    Let it go... and treasure the good moments that you've had and cultivate long lasting friendships where the feelings are mutual.

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  3. SANTORIO: Is this the classic case of a hot guy who is also a hot head? I'm sometimes attracted to this type. They swagger, they're sure of themselves, they feed on the admiration of others. The character of Gaston in Beauty and the Beast is one most of us have seen some glimpses of in real life. That's just the impression I got from your brief comment. What's this guy really like, though? Do you still want to get to know him better?

    BECK: Your wise comments remind me of a certain Beatles song. So in your honor here's a variation:

    When I find myself in times of trouble
    Beck will text me on my phone
    Sending words of wisdom
    Let it go

    And in my hour of darkness
    I am scanning comments row by row
    Seeking words of wisdom
    Let it go

    Let it go. Let it go. Let it go. Let it go.
    If it ain't gonna happen, let it go.

    And when I feel so broken
    and my life just seems to be a bust
    He speaks of caring, concern,
    friendship, loyalty and trust.

    It can't be forced. It just is. It can't be forced. It just is.
    Treasure the good moments. It just is.

    And so enjoy the life that's your's and those who really care for you
    Forget the rest and just keep breathing or you will turn blue

    Let it go. Let it go. Let it go. Let it go.
    Texting words of wisdom. Let it go.

    :D

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  4. You really have a warped mind... either that or you have way too much creative for your own good! :)

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