A few conversations I've had in the last couple of months have made me realise that it's been a while since I last wrote about my relationship(s), or discussed the topic with anyone I'm not already close to. Friends and long-time readers of this blog will already know that I'm not straight and I'm not... Continue Reading →
On marriage and name changes
I started planning this post months ago, when I was first writing about getting married, but it somehow slipped off my To Do list until something reminded me last week. A colleague who I don't see all that often (I work for a very large organisation) asked me for my email address, "because you've changed... Continue Reading →
How to plan a very small (secret) wedding
Anyone who follows me on social media will have noticed that I am now a married woman. After 19 years with the wonderful Mr Topper, I asked if he'd like to celebrate knowing me for half of his life by getting married. He said yes and so, last summer, we started to make plans... in... Continue Reading →
The Super Humans of 2017
Every December since 2011, I have been publishing an annual list of people who have had positive impact on my life in the previous 12 months and, in my opinion, deserve an award for their greatness. These are the super humans who have shaped my life and brought me joy and inspiration - I want... Continue Reading →
On Walt Disney, masturbation and love
In America - the country of liberalism, self-determination and the promise of happiness for everyone - a new phenomenon is becoming more and more common. Organised group of people meet on regular basis to masturbate together, but at one condition: everyone is forbidden to touch the others. Slavoj Zizek often takes this example to describe... Continue Reading →
Are your life and relationship all planned out?
Do you have a life plan, or are you one of those people who decides to just see where things take you? Are you ticking things off on a list, or are you constantly re-evaluating what you want and need? As kids, many of us plan out our future life - e.g. school, college/university, job,... Continue Reading →
Only monogamy equals commitment?
One of the common misconceptions about nonmonogamous (including polyamorous) folk, is that they can't commit. If they really loved someone, they'd stop all this nonsense. If we were really committed to a relationship, we simply wouldn't have others. And, of course, you can't possibly be committed to more than one person at a time, right?... Continue Reading →
Have your say on equal marriage
Comments on the news today from religious organisations about opening up marriage to same sex couples shouldn't be surprising, but they are still saddening. As if the Church of England being created so that a king could get divorced didn't irrevocably change society. As if men and women marrying and then divorcing within weeks, pretending... Continue Reading →
Tradition, not romance
I have never understood how something as seemingly important as marriage could be proposed rather than discussed. I have never understood how people can spend hundreds (often thousands) on an engagement ring rather than, perhaps, an engagement sofa (or car). I have never understood the point of 'being engaged'. These things may have had a... Continue Reading →
Married with children?
I have just seen the new John Lewis advert and was very impressed. It's beautifully shot, extremely moving, and a wonderful way to showcase the sorts of items that you can buy from John Lewis whilst not being in the least bit irritating. It makes the brand more memorable, conveys their commitment to quality and,... Continue Reading →