A Wretch Like Me

I spent a number of years studying men. So I could understand them. Or rather, understand one. I also spent those years studying women. You know… so I could understand them. Or rather, understand me! (I'm not kidding.)

You know what I figured out? Men and women alike… we’re just people struggling to understand our place in the world. We’re rather egocentric, at heart. We say we want someone to share our lives with, but what we really want is someone to fill up those empty places we feel inside. I once heard a very astute counselor say that most often when a woman and a man say those vows about how they intend to be the thing that is the thing and blah blah blah (okay, he wasn’t so cynical, but still…) what they really mean is that they will let that other person make up for what is lacking in their lives. So it’s like a tick on a dog. But what you wind up with is two ticks………………………………………………………………… and no dog.

I hear men say, “Well, women must understand that men are THIS way or THAT way.” And I hear women say, “Oh, but women are THIS way or THAT way!” Really? So there is no level of intelligence in the human creature? No measure of overcoming our natures? And have you ever seen a laddie or a lassie... go THIS way or THAT? ;)

Fuckin’ hell. If that’s the way it is, then I’m outta here.

Man says he can’t help himself from being a fucker. (In the literal sense.) Woman says she can’t help herself from being a bitch. (Also in the literal sense.)

Of course you can help yourself! Stop that shit!

Anyway… whatever.

On the lightest of notes, let’s leave all of that bullshit (er… horseshit…) behind and look at something that matters.

18 comments:

Brad K. said...

I love the wall treatment! And that visitor from Planet Wonderful looks to be a right fine fairy! An actual visit from a Right Fine Fairy is a wonderful, wonderful tribute to your discipline, your beauty of character and soul, and your capacity for love and affection, too.

Seriously, you have shown us that hall and door aspect before, and it is awesome.

Beauty.

cathouse teri said...

Brad ~ I'll admit, visits from Right Fine Fairies do make all the difference, don't they? ;)

Sornie said...

ANd here I was thinking that you were possibly studying women for a far different reason. Are you sure it wasn't for another reason? Okay. I'll leave that one alone.

cathouse teri said...

Sornie: Yeah, I know it's just weird. But none of my studies were specifically of a sexual nature. :)

Ed & Jeanne said...

Now how can you argue with a cute fairy put into the post? Unfair...

cathouse teri said...

Yep. That was my plan, VE. Get people all fired up and then throw in a cute fairy! :)

Chelle said...

a job well done! love your honesty and humbleness...and the fairy is beautiful, a lovely way to end this post.

Mrs4444 said...

What an angel...

said...

I agree with your comments... Can't we all just get along?!? Why do we have to treat each other like enemies?

Anyway... the fairy made it better for me. Thank you! (What a cutie!)

Eebie said...

Teri, been there and I have to say it is a fascinating experience to really become an observer, take the time to see things, not judge, see possible "results" and then go out and see if those "results" or ideas hold true elsewhere. Fantastic. Today I won't say more.

I do want to share that I once spoke with a friend advocating the "fundamental human nature of man and woman" and natural this and that. I said, "If it is only innate instincts, we have not evolved from being apes and we are not civilized. If you want to be an adult, it's about responsibility to you and those you love." At first, it was a tough pill to swallow but we moved forward when she realized you can't be about the emotion of the moment and think you're going to be respected as an adult, have someone want to continue to be a part of your life, and have some sanity in your life.

One Man’s Opinion said...

Look at the cute little sugar plum fairy. I agree that men and women are more simular than that like to admit, but I have known this for a while.

Cliff said...

You are dead right. Nothing else matters when the grandbabies are around.

cathouse teri said...

Chelle: Everything always ends best with a fairy. (Hmm... that could be taken a lot of ways!)

Mrs. 4444: She's my squishy baby! :)

T: Did I say we should all get along? haha ~ oh my, what a far-reaching idea!

Eebs: Yes, it's unfortunate that what people wind up doing is make it impossible to really experience growth and embrace all there is to enjoy, as evolved creatures.

One Man: Sugar Plum! How perfect!

WIXY: The children do make it all seem worth it. Nothing cheers me up like the face of a child.

anno said...

Oh, she's beautiful! Made me forget anything else I might have said!

cathouse teri said...

Anno: I know! That's a great trick, huh? I remember when my daughter was little like that and her dad and I would be in some passionate argument, and she'd walk in. We'd both stop, look at her and say, "Hi honey!" Then look back at each other and totally forget what we were so heatedly talking about! I tell ya... cute babies keep bad marriages together way too long! :)

Doozie said...

Excuses, excuses. Everyone has a crutch, a reason they think gives them a license to be an ASSHAT

Unknown said...

What a beautiful little girl! I have to agree.. The problem with people is we make too many excuses. You can control your actions, man or woman, it's a matter of will power and most people don't want to try....

yellojkt said...

That is one cute kid!

I'm a man, but I don't use that as an excuse much.