[capitald]

I am tired of having to prove myself to the women I date. I suppose in a way I don't have to or they don't want me to, that is they like me for me, but in another way I think women do expect me and men generally to prove ourselves worthy of them. It is rather tiring sometimes. Sometimes I would like to do away with the "game" and just be, just be me. I know the game is important and women feel they are teaching us and we are learning and we probably are learning, its just I would like to be friends and a lover to a women without so much b.s. Is that possible? I know the girls I date are reasonably non-traditional and have an open-mind but I am wondering if I can get beyond the typical games to something a little more substantial, something with more meaning. Something perhaps with even a little more spontaneity eventhough I usually find a good deal of that in my relationships as they are. Maybe I am expecting too much, but I just feel that to be a real man I have to be ambitious enough to take things to that other level and if the people I deal with can't deal with that, then maybe I just need to leave them behind.

[dyermaker]

If you get nothing out of the game, stop playing.

When you've found someone, with whom you're able to relate to without masquerading yourself behind something else, and who does the same, you're truly in love.

[capitald]

and I don't expect you will ever get out of the role or stop playing the game of devil's advocate.

I am sorry to say this but I don't think this is going to work out between us. I am going to have to let you go man.

[Arabess]

I don't know if there really is a game involved or if it only seems like a game because we are playing emotional volleyball in our own minds.

[capitald]

The game is played out in speech and action but that doesn't mean that it isn't a mind game and/or a matter of the heart. Almost all human interaction can be seen as one kind of game or another. That doesn't mean its not serious business, but life is one long mental/emotional chess match. Thats why it is not always so easy.

[Fedup&givingup]

For me, I wouldn't even call what I will be facing playing a game. I for one despise playing games...the waiting game, the play-hard-to-get-me game, and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I don't have time or use for that mess.

What I do feel is that I know exactly what I will and what I will not tolerate. I know where to toe the line, and I won't accept anything less. I've gone against my own instincts one too many a time, and I see that instead of listening to what I know is right, I've only gotten screwed in the end. Not anymore.

Maybe you were not cut out for the ones you've dated, and therefore; you don't need them either I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason.

[capitald]

Yeah for the reason that "life is a game that you try" (lyrics by the band the Verve off of "Urban Hymns") and we have some tactics to engage and some to disengage.