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

My girlfriend and I split up last night.

I am quite stunned.

Not because it happened. The breaking up itself wasn't too much of a surprise.

And not because any dodgy circumstances were revealed at the same time. They weren't - and I am certain that there aren't any.

No, what confounds me is how unpleasant the experience wasn't. It has to be the most amicable, comfortable break-up I have ever experienced.

There is no anger. No feelings of hatred. No smouldering rage. No urges to throw acid in people's faces.

It seems so bizarre.

But the best thing is, we both feel like this. She mentioned today that she's more relaxed than she's been in days.

Just before we broke up we had the most fantastically deep conversation about people and the nature of relationships and stuff. We really got into each other's minds on the subject - it was an intriguing discussion.

Then I went for a bath and a few minutes after finishing that, she rings back. She sounds tense.

"You know we were talking about relationships being finite? Well .. I'd like it to be finite - right now."

I was momentarily surprised - I hadn't quite expected that this soon. But it made sense. We discovered that we had both independently been thinking about breaking up with each other at around the same too.

Thus it ended.

The essence of this weirdness is that the relationship has ended, but the friendship remains. This is a new experience for me - previous break-ups have involved a lot of hurt and bad feeling on both sides, with not a chance of reconciling as friends. I am so glad that it is not the case this time.

I think the main reasons why this situation has been possible are that we were honest and open with other, and no trust was breached.

Right then, that's all I have to say at the moment. Time for lunch!

P.S. Laura, I hope you don't mind me posting this!

If you hadn't posted this I would have done so! Yeah, I'm still a little stunned. Happy though. I think people would have a job finding a break up as amicable and a pleasant as ours.

Ah, heh, you have me wondering what you would have have written now.

Something along similar lines, I guess, but possibly not quite so well. That really was pretty good. Matter of fact, to the mark and effective.

The only question on my mind now... do I order pizza?

Why, thank you. Thought it would be an interesting first journal entry (instead of something lame like "just testing this out!" or "I had bread and water for lunch today .. blah .. etc")

Did you order pizza? I just had a cup of hot water with sugar in.

Yup. i had pizza. Mmm... pizza.

How was the delights of Austria?

It was fantastic!

Best holiday yet, haven't felt that satisfied in weeks. It was cold though, and we went skiing. Nice people too, reserved like the British - like, the streets are quiet 'cause people aren't chatting away - but pleasant when you talk to them. And also, the girls over there are much more flirtatious (with eye contact and smiling and suchlike) than over here.

Didn't bother with sightseeing a lot .. 'twas nice just to hang out in a cool place with a group of people I like and am totally comfortable with.

Today has been a huge contrast though. Straight into an exam, which was most unpleasant. And I saw someone I dislike, which was somehow even more unpleasant. And a call from where I used to work saying that something is broken and they'd like me to fix it, which is just stressful. My head and stomach are complaining at me as a result of the morning so far..

How are you? How was your weekend, do anything nice?

Yeah, I saw a film, did some work, and just didn't do a lot, really. Very pleasant, I have to say.

I gather the exam wasn't that great then. Ah well, sh*t happens. There is nothing you can do about it now.

I'm not that bothered about the exam. Left me feeling a bit light-headed that's all. You know like when you walk along and you feel like you're outside your mind just looking in, and everything seems not quite real like a picture? Like that, ah well. Starting to relax now though.

Just been reading around a bit, heh .. F90026?thread=237920 <-- not you again, surely?!

Haha! That title's getting some more mileage... Getting quite an amusinf conversation too.

It is indeed! You didn't answer the question

Of course it wasn't me! Apparent;y I've spoken to the the lady in question before though. Don't know who yet!

I would have been surprised if it was you, mind, given his previous bad attitude towards you. But just checking!

Me too. No, all seems to be as right as rain. I'm talking to him a bit via email at the moment. I think the attitude was just a phase.

That's good then. Don't want to see you getting hurt again.

No, I won't. Do remember my boxes. They help.

I remember your boxes. Wish I had some of my own sometimes! For me, it's more like piles of leaves swept into corners, but now and again, the wind blows ..

Sometimes mine just leak. Oh, and please be careful in the other thread, it's making people loath to talk. And yes, it does seem like you're getting at him.

The mind is an odd thing. Wonder what it says about this sort of stuff in psychology books ..? Repressing thoughts and feelings and all that.

As for the other thread, do you not think he deserves the criticism?

I don't care. It works. Well, I guess it does most of tihe time, anyway.

Even if he does, that is not the place to do it. It made the conversation uncomfortable.