h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

What is it? Is it us men? After sixteen years of living with my life partner, we have finally reached a parting of the waves. Amicable, even friendly, was the process of separation, and we probably talk more to each other since she moved out than we did when we were under the same roof!

However, I digress. Two weeks after she has moved into her new digs, which were un-decorated, unf-furnished and in a bit of a state, and her new home looks a picture of domesticity. Me? My place looks like an explosion in a laundry! Clothes strewn everywhere as I look around, a very dirty carpet just screaming to be cleaned, and a kitchen that would make the average environmental health officer drool!

Don't get me wrong, i'm not a lazy person by nature. For the six months prior to the actual split we had led virtually separate lives, her in her room, I in mine. And whilst, for the most part of the past sixteen years, she performed the sexist role of housewife to a tee, those last six months I soon got into the habit of cooking for myself, cleaning up after myself and keeping my own space 'decent.'
Add to that, i'm not a person given to bouts of self-pity or maudlin, grieving the loss of a way of life etc.

So what happened? As near as I can figure it, Almost overnight my psyche must have reverted back to teenage bachelor mode, the mode which has not been activated since I was seventeen and is inately (sp?) accepting of conditions that rats would give notice to quit over!

Hopefully it won't last long, probably until I can no longer find clean undergarments or a plate that simply is too furry to put food on! In the meatime, I am now training my terrier to root out comparativly clean socks from wherever they may be hiding!