( Twenty ) Seven Month Itch

Really. Has this show been going on that long?

Well maybe. Then again maybe not since we never actually set a debut date for our relationship.

They say all the world's a stage and all the men and women merely players. As little children, we grow up watching our parents. Almost subconsciously, we derive our cues from them on the future roles we play and how we work to maintain a relationship. So it's simple enough for the boys and girls out there with a visible heteronormative lifestle ready as a copy to emulate. Just get married, build a home, play the mommy and the daddy.

Like playing house, not everyone gets it right the first time around. But at least someone's done it before. Whether you're playing violent one-upmanship sex games like the Tudors or cooing nauseating lovey-dovey words like the Waltons, just tune in to an old rerun if you forget the lines.


Opening scene?
But for the lil boys busy imagining the GI Joes making out hot and heavy in their tents, what roles we play in the future isn't written in any script we know. Two macho guys playing house couldn't possibly fit into the stereotypical 1950s family model after all with the inevitable quarrel over who's wearing the pants ( or the frilly apron and dress ) in the family. There are no role models and stereotypes to play with so we're mostly coasting along ad-libbing and making up our own lines as we go along.

Hence the occasional mid-season cancellations. Also known as the inevitable breakups.

So despite the fact that there's the occasional hit and miss episode with bad acting on both sides, I'm pleased that my show is still going on strong. Although sometimes Charming Calvin and I seem to have been paired together by the worst casting directors possible, we seem to have found our own odd chemistry.

Although we both initially signed on the show with far different expectations. I wanted a partner and a co-star in my vehicle - not to play the supporting role forever pandering to the proverbial diva in perpetual search of adoration.

Calvin obviously had other terms on his contract. No doubt he wishes for a more appreciative lover instead of the rather unaffectionate cold fish ( who doesn't do mawkish sentimentalities ) he'd gotten as a co-star. And at heart, Calvin's a gregarious Leo always ready to seek pleasant company while I'm a somewhat antisocial Scorpio forever in need of solitude to brood over whatever nefarious plot I've concocted. I might seek out a select group of friends but endless crowds of acquaintances inevitably bore me.

But we've compromised, hashed out the differences and worked out new agreements. So in my opinion, this is one show that just keeps getting better.