I love Seattle. Especially during this time of year. The days are getting shorter and the temperature is falling. The sky turns gray, the wind kicks up, the rain starts to fall. I also love the rain. My sleepless nights are less troubling when accompanied by the sound of the rain falling on the roof and the wind whipping the rain drops against my bedroom window. It's about the only time i feel any peace anymore, and eventually i drift off to sleep where my thoughts are turned into dreams. Sometimes those dreams are sad, painful, even terrifying. But most of the time, those dreams are of a life contained only within my mind. When i awake, those dreams almost seem cruel. They offer a brief view of an alternate reality where pure bliss is the norm rather than the exception. A reality where all the love one has to give is met with equal amounts of love given in return. A reality rooted in happiness and joy and being truly content, rather than in strife and misery and pain. And then i wake up. For a moment, the bliss lingers. But it doesn't take long for reality to settle in. It takes every last ounce of strength i have to even pull myself out of bed some days. Some days i don't. Call in sick to work and pull the covers over my head and lay there. Turn off my mobile phone, leave the ringer off on the house phone, computers idle, shut out the world...
As of my last post, i had a date that went seemingly well with "A". I was so excited to see him again! Lucky for me, his trip out of town was canceled and i had a second date with him the tuesday following our first date. This date went even better than the first one did in my opinion. We spent the better part of ten hours together and were never short of anything to say to each other. We had some great conversations, told some funny stories, laughed, had some great times.
This date started much the way the last one did. I picked him up at his apartment (he doesn't have a car at the moment) and we went up to Seattle and had lunch. Some vegetarian Chinese place. It was actually pretty good, despite having no meat in it. The restaurant was close by Capitol Hill so we went and walked around for a while. We wound up stopping at a record store and buying a bunch of cd's and records (yes, the big vinyl ones...i love vinyl). We both love music and share a lot of similar musical interests. After record shopping, we stopped and got some frozen yogurt. We each ordered different things and wound up sharing our dishes of frozen treats. He would feed me a spoonful of his, and i'd feed him a spoonful of mine. Yeah, real cute stuff.
After that, it was off to the mall to catch a movie. We found the theater and finally decided to see Paranormal Activity. I like that kind of stuff, and was hoping to finally see a movie scary enough to make me piss my pants and give me nightmares for a year. We bought our tickets and had about 40 minutes to kill before the movie started. This gave us time to get a snack of pretzels, which were free with the purchase of our movie tickets. We also stopped and bought a soda to share in the movie, since it was about a quarter the price of the soda in the theater. What thrifty little shoppers we are. Anyway, i though the movie was good. It gave me a couple good starts, and was deffo creepy, but didn't leave me scared shitless as i'd hoped it would. "A" on the other hand was totally freaked out by it. I believe his exact word were "how the fuck can you be so calm after that?!". I guess i just don't scare easy.
After the movie, we stopped and bought some cookies to snack on and went back to his place to watch a concert DVD i had bought at the record store. We wound up laying on his bed and watching the concert. When the concert was over, he popped in another movie and we wound up cuddling a bit under the covers (fully clothed of course :P). That was so wonderful to feel the embrace of another human being. I rested my head on his chest, and his arm around me, my arm around him...i could have stayed like that forever. His scent was intoxicating. I can still feel his warmth on my face and hear his heart beat and the sound of his breathing in my ears. At one point, he moved his head towards mine and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. Not some wild, wet make out kiss. But a tender, innocent kiss. A bit later on, i leaned in on him and gave him a little kiss too.
It was too good to last, and after the movie ended, he was getting pretty tired since he worked that morning. It seems that i get a bit awkward when it comes to saying goodbye, especially after such a wonderful day. But awkwardness aside, we hugged and gave each other a mutual kiss goodnight and i was on my way home once again.
Now after that, i was feeling pretty good. Better in fact than i had felt in years. I was glowing. What started as something that was uncertain had turned into a feeling of pure elation. I went into this very open minded, not having any expectations. But it seemed that i was falling for him...hard. He was in my thoughts every moment i was awake and in my dreams. It was incredible. We texted each other on wednesday and thursday. On friday, i sent him a text to tell him how much i enjoyed one of the cd's he recommended to me. While i was in the shower and getting ready for work, he sent a response. "Is it OK if we are just friends?"
Well, FUCK! Instead of texting him back, i decided to just call him. We talked for almost an hour. He insists it is him, that he wouldn't be good in a relationship right now, that he's not ready to settle down just yet. He told me that we have more in common with each other than he has had in common with any other guy he's ever dated. But deep down, i can't help but feel that it was me who drove him away. That i said or did something to set off some sort of alarm in his mind that told him to get out while he still could. Whatever the case might actually be, he obviously doesn't feel anywhere near as strongly for me as i do for him. Once again i find myself feeling quite the fool for having such strong feelings for someone who doesn't return those feelings. For some strange reason, the fact that he doesn't care for me only makes me care even more for him. Seriously...what the FUCK?!
I'm tired and my head hurts...think i'll go lay down for a while...
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8 comments:
There's a weird symmetry in the universe.
Sorry, DW.
This is....disappointing news. :(
Coitus interruptus. An awful thing. It pulls the rug from under you :(
wow
I can see another way to interpret his words and behavior. I pay more attention to what someones does than says.
[btw: It is interesting how Eric from work has not been mentioned in ages. Now u r at least crushing on gay guys!]
Cuddling, he initiates kissing you, feeding someone ice cream, all physically intimate. Easy to talk, many common interests.
At worst he may become a good friend if you can handle it. Like u did get over Eric. He says he is not yet ready to settle down. OK. YET. You can both date and see if a friendship blossoms someday into more.
Most of all he seems scared. If I recall he is like 20 or 21? Few are ready at that age, and maybe he feels like he is also "falling" for u. If he has been thru this b4, he may be "gun-shy". If he has been hurt, he may be very hesitant.
DW sed:"He told me that we have more in common with each other than he has had in common with any other guy he's ever dated. But deep down, i can't help but feel that it was me who drove him away. That i said or did something to set off some sort of alarm in his mind that told him to get out while he still could. Whatever the case might actually be, he obviously doesn't feel anywhere near as strongly for me as i do for him. Once again i find myself feeling quite the fool for having such strong feelings for someone who doesn't return those feelings."
And you almost automatically jump to the worst conclusion: i.e., I am a fool, he does not like me AND i did "something" to drive him off. WTF.
1. one does not usually kiss and snuggle people u dont like.
2. u assume he DISlikes u. Deep down you "just know" it is YOUR FAULT, mr. gay fail!
3. we r all fools for love. I am sure u know 10 songs on that theme! LOL
4. after 2 dates w/o sex how can u 2 be expected to "like" each other to the same degree? If after 6 months the same imbalance persists, well ok maybe time to move on.
WHY ARE YOU SO SURE? You were positive at one time that if u came out your entire family except the liberal brother would DISOWN YOU. Your relationships would cease to exist. Work would be an endless series of gay bashing crap. Well, you were wrong by 200%.
I would make a guess that the most likely deep down inside DW issue here is YOUR propensity to see the worst possible anything.
You like/love this guy? OK. So stay friends, even if difficult, maybe friends with benefits, NSA,leaving u both free to explore but always have a close friend to share with and talk to w/o reservation. Like a male fag hag.
TANGENT I play that role with 3 or 4 pals. I never wanted to sex them up, but now we r very close. If the mack truck gets dan 2 of them would be at the top of the list for a possible new lover. That may sound crass and weird, but dan and i talk about this now and then. The "what if" chat. Pull the plug if u think it is hopeless, donate body parts, cremation. Mourn but not forever. Find a good life.[END of tangent]
If I were you, and I am not, I would consider juggling things and keeping options open. Give him a chance to change his mind. But no campaigning. Tell him ONCE that if he ever wants to be more than friends to please tell you so you can decide then how u feel. Then never bring up that topic again unless you are so "drunk" that you can say u don't remember. LOL
hugs, DW!!!
steevo
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Steevo is so right. You can now chill and get to know each other better. Admit all about your case, let him teach you. Ask to give him a full body massage etc, so he can give you advice. Also, find out what he wants to become in life and how you can sincerely further his aims. Get him to relax and then ask him to list all your errors. Gratefully accept and value all he says, don't talk back, make notes. One error is your high standards, expectations, which he doesn't want to live up to. You have to prove that you really care for him, not as a trophy (in reality caring only for yourself).
Please FORGET what might eventually be in it for you. "It is in giving that we receive" wrote St Francis. Indeed you can only receive by loving others (and yourself) - never by others loving you. Stop working so obviously towards "equal amounts of love in return" - real love is not a business deal. Please read this piece by Hazrat Inayat Khan. What pleases you is of no importance, only what transforms you, is worth your trouble.
Example again - my BF is only considered to be such by others, because while extremely intense and private he apparently takes more liberties with me. I will never dare call him my partner, and others get nowhere asking him. Still, I could not be more blessed. A settled down, suburban relationship doesn't work for me either - so why accept it as specification? We live apart and we don't need each other around at all times, there has to be a worthy reason. If either died or got involved with someone else, the other won't be devastated. We know each other as individuals of unlimited mystery.
Often people have their second chakra out of order in front, but fine at the back. There is quantity of sex but not quality. They have become too familiar with each other .. For doing or discussing the ordinary I have other (invaluable) friends. You can make such a friend now. Or if you discover that you never did understand him, and never could - that he is infinitely more awesome than you ever thought - then you can be his BF. His soul will instantly know it, once you see who he really is. It will transform both of you, and neither will keep dating other men .. For now, be real friends.
I agree with Steevo and Mr. McCabbage that you should be friends with him. If he pulls back a bit, let him, but don't break off entirely just because he isn't ready to move the relationship to a higher level right now.
And I agree with Steevo that you should try to get rid of the expectation that you're going to ruin everything.
I disagree with McCab's idea that what pleases you is unimportant. and "...list all your errors..." HUH??? Not what a friend does!
It is possible to be close friends and not express intimacy sexually. If and when one of you starts "dating" others your relationship may change and you will have less time together. Be prepared. Make every possible effort to maintain equality between you. Perhaps he is sensitive to the age and income difference. Not much to do there but maybe discuss it or tell him that you have been there, done that. But dont harp on it. If at times you are stressing or obsessing that he is not your BF, keep it to yourself. He does not need to hear you go on and on, if you might tend to do that. Perhaps he is intimidated or overwhelmed at the prospect of initiating you into man to man physical intimacy. IDK.
Enjoy what you have. And relax, damn it! LOL
steevo
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Sorry for the chaos in my comments, not enough time. Of course what you get is important, but what you think you want in a relationship may be too confused and ordinary. He may just be playing hard to get, consciously or not. A worth while relationship is not like buying a CD or a car - more like creating those, which is difficult. It can take years to get consensus and permission. You need confidence, patience and a thick skin .. also if you want to raise a male Siamese cat, for example. And when done, the product must be inspired - it must have become a grand cat, a classic car, or the kind of music you approve of. Then you have really gotten something. And part of the challenge is that the band should not dissolve in anger after every CD.
One may have to consider, what is the best interpretation of who one has turned out to be? What can one start from where one is? Errors you will have, so make them into features. You tend to make a project of any prospective boyfriend - who might then feel like a project. To make that a good feeling for him (also surprising and unique) you have to give for the joy of giving and never expect anything. Even your reaction to what he gives is something you give. Only when you create the ambiance and make the other feel special, can you get out of your own way to control the situation. Who your friend becomes by knowing you - that is really what you get. By having such a guideline you could master what you do every second. Like old school Pierre Cardin who always gives his new female models diamond earrings, and is overly concerned about their comfort. He is loved for it.
"Do you know what your problem is?" Those were the very first words one useful friend said to me, first time we met. Confrontational, but without a trace of mockery. He went right on and told me, and had he made a price I would have paid him. Why wait until you fall out one day, to hear what others have long been observing? If a friend is able and willing to ponder and tell, and knows you "in the flesh" (instead of on this blog) then so much the better. Science usually fails due to oversight, not seeing the obvious. Perhaps instead of spontaneity you prefer mastering what you do. Then develop that, it can bring joy and success .. There is much variety in advice and in human natures - you decide. Give him some Bvlgari chocolates.
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