Hi. Will you marry me? For a week? By Mark Morford

[madokie]

It is the age of temporary everything.

It is the time when nothing lasts forever and that includes many of the things we thought would last forever, like home and family and work, like all-white presidents and the U.S. as righteous global superstar, like a healthy planet and pretty good schools and that thing you thought you always wanted but then when you finally got it you were all like, "Wait wait wait, this isn't what I meant at all."

Take marriage. Take it and turn it over in your hand like an exotic, prickly gemstone made of blood and family and time, wrapped in everything we think we know.

Weather beaten, beleaguered, whipped to the bone and yet somehow just as magically alluring and amorously besparkled as ever -- marriage, to paraphrase Herb Cain, ain't what it used to be, and it never was.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/10/12/notes101211.DTL#ixzz1aZ8mVg4G

[Ilsa]

1. I thought this was going to be an article about

seven year marriage contracts. Isn't Ireland considering it?

I like the line about the US as a righteous global superstar.

[Lyric]

2. I think it's a brilliant idea.

You don't see a lot of real social innovation these days. I'll be very interested to see how this works out.

[Blue_Tires]

3. I always wondered if that idea would take hold somewhere

Almost 20 years ago in high school we discussed a future where marraige was something both parties had to renew every year like a fishing license or something...

[Missy Vixen]

4. Part of the reason why any marriage is successful

is the fact that the parties involved are dedicated for the long haul. When the marriage in question could be easily dissolved after two years, there is no urgency to even try to work out the problems involved, negotiate, work together to find solutions to arguments over stuff like sex/money/in-laws/kids/whatever it is two adults argue over. Plus, studies have shown that "romantic love" lasts for approximately two years. In other words, those advocating dissolving the relationship within two years don't stick around long enough to give it a chance, IMHO.

Maybe I'm cynical, but I have to laugh every time I hear about some celebrity that files for divorce in the first year. The first year of marriage is all about learning to live with another adult, even if you lived together before you got married. The couple argues and negotiates their own relationship. The second year is a re-negotiation. Did I want to run off and join the circus sometimes? Sure. Did I leave? No.

There is no such thing as a perfect marriage, because human beings are involved. I know, however, that a good marriage is worth what you have to put into it to make it happen. Planning for the divorce before you even get married is a sure sign you'll fail, IMHO.

[realFedUp]

5. A week with Morford....priceless

:-)

[txlibdem]

6. That is why I've always liked Gay Men

Many of them are very handsome and would be my competition if they weren't "playing for the other team." I'd like for there to be as any gay men as possible... so it will increase the number of available ladies for me!

But marriage for me? Nope, don't think so!

[madokie]

7. Well I have to say something to that last statement

I stayed single playing the field until I was 42 years old and finally married one of my earlier flings and I have to say I wished I'd married her way back when as I find married life so much more satisfying than the bar fly life I was living for so long. Find you a good woman and settle down would be my advice. After having children you might even see the errs of your pronuke stand of today and if that doesn't do it grand children surely will.

peace
have a good day

[txlibdem]

8. I was referring to my single life prior to marrying my spouse of 25 years

We split up for a couple of years but we both found out how empty/unfulfilling it was. She brought up the subject one day and I said I'd been waiting for months for her to say that. She was my love at first sight (at age 26). I have a beautiful daughter but due to complications of the pregnancy we have never been able to have another child. Spoiling my baby girl is my 2nd greatest joy.

[madokie]

9. Congratulations on both the twenty five years and the spoiled daughter

I came home bug nutts and when I met my wife I knew she was who I wanted to grow old with but due to the baggage I carried I knew that if we were to do anything serious then that it wouldn't last. Two boys and twenty years later for her we bump into one another one night and well the rest is history. Haven't looked back for one second. Just had our 21st anniversary

[txlibdem]

10. You are one lucky guy

Most people who miss that ship never get a 2nd chance!

:grouphug:

/on edit: Oh, and thanks for that last comment. I know how lucky I am to have a good kid who never did drugs, did good in school, and doesn't drink much (socially... you know... she's 23 so I'm proud of her good sense and all the rest).