It's Finally Here!

It’s been nineteen years and nineteen seasons in the making. It’s been talked about, fought about, laughed about, announced, dismissed, cancelled and denied by just about everyone, but it’s finally here and I can’t wait. And for more than one reason too!

I am, of course, talking about the wonderful and yellow family Simpsons and, unless you’ve been on another planet for the past few years, you’ll be aware that they are about to make their movie debut – and in exciting 2-D no less.

Not only does it look like a great looking film – even if it was ninety minutes of Bart making farting noises I’d still go and see it – but this time I’ll have someone’s hand to hang on to when things get scary (or, more likely, P will be hanging on to me for dear life – and that will just be the trailers!)

So, in celebration of this wonderful and never to be repeated event (unless there's a sequel) here’s a link to the theatrical trailer. Unfortunately, as I can't get the flash movie to stop auto-starting I've removed the trailer so you'll have to go the movie site to watch the clips (sorry about that, but it was becoming rather annoying!)

Uncharted Territory

It was either by a carefully crafted plan, or a total accident, but I ended up meeting my girlfriend’s (I’m going to start calling her “P” from now on) parents at the weekend. In fact, after a slight mix up with the serving times at a local pub that we were due to lunch at – resulting in a pair of rumbling stomachs - we ended up having lunch with them.

Talk about being thrown in at the deep end with rocks in my pocket!

Although I was terrified that I’d drop something, break something, spill something or even say something totally stupid, my diplomatic work skills came into full play, turning on the charm offensive to full - with general observations and concerned agreement whenever the conversation turned to ill relatives. I even managed to successfully return serve when the father piped up about the state of pensions.

Considering I’ve never been in a “meet the parents” position in a relationship before, the feedback I’ve had back via P is good, with her parents saying that I was charming. Not only that, but P was just as impressed with how I handled any potential conversation banana skins.

And in yet more uncharted territory, I’ve also met P’s sister, whilst more and more friends are now being told about (or discovering) my existence. P even told me today “people are starting to get very curious about you” Blimey.

So, I appear to have past the parent test, but will I pass the all important friend test?

Grinning Like the Joker

I think people are starting to think I’m a little bit weird. They didn’t do it before, but I’m sure people in queues are starting to shuffle in the opposite direction to me. Why? Well, I simply can’t stop smiling and I actually can’t remember the last time I felt the way that I currently do.

It’s the little and simple things that are making me smile. Things such as receiving text messages unprompted and out of the blue (I’ve just had one as I type this), having your hand grabbed to be held, sitting on the sofa and having a head resting on a shoulder, the visible and audible squeal of delight as you pass an honest and innocent compliment and being naked and blissfully entwined under the covers.

I can’t believe I’ve come so far in such a short space of time. My past has seen my heart ripped from my chest and nailed to a fence post with previous girlfriends and Match.com exploits leaving me hopeful, but ultimately disappointed. Each and every dating failure – although, let’s face it, there weren’t that many dates on Match.com – left my willing heart bruised and damaged. I never let it show to my dates, but I became pretty insecure and was always ready for what was coming – even if I always tried to remain positive and willing to try.

Even now, laying on the bed, naked and warm together, I still get the occasional thought that she’s about to drop a bomb shell and tell me that’s she’s met someone else. However, as each day passes, those thoughts are slowly disappearing and I can finally stop worrying and enjoy our blooming relationship.

However, I’ve not been alone with those insecure thoughts, as my girlfriend divorced her husband after she caught him cheating, whilst her last boyfriend dumped her after a year and went back to his ex. I think that definitely qualifies her to be a little more cautious than me.

Still, I think our pasts have provided us with something to work on and aspire to something much better and happier. But one thing is for sure – no matter what the outcome is, I’m going to do it with a spring in my step and a smile on my face.