Personally, I like to use the word "lover". It makes people so gloriously uncomfortable.

Especially when you say it luuuverrrr.

That tenth time is when they ask: so when did?

the word encompasses everything you need to know about our relationship and makes life infinitely simpler

Simplicity is the reason I often let strangers refer to me by the wrong surname – because they're relating me to either my partner or my children.?

I wish there was a word for "person you are in a civil union with", as surely it's a step up from a de facto partner: you've bothered to make it official. And even with de facto partners, we don't have enough words: when I lived with?

"and this is my lover,"

Even better: say "this is one of my lovers".

That tenth time is when they ask: so when did you get married? Then I look like a liar.

Actually, you've done that to me, and I've known you for years. There was a time recently when you referred to your wife, and in the back of my head, I?

Spare a thought for us middle-aged hermits.

Single is sad. Celibate is worse.

I opt for "Wanker".

I wish there was a word for "person you are in a civil union with"

I was going to say that I'm sure the Germans have one, and we should 'borrow-word' it into English.

In Italian we have the lovely word compagno/compagna

But we should use the beautiful Italian one?

but to me a "lover" doesn't convey equalness or really any kind of relationship beyond the sexual connection, unlike "partner"

Well, there's a shade of difference in meaning between 'lover' and, say 'bonk', or 'fuckbuddy' or 'shag'. And as Megan said, you can change its connotations with the way you?

"We got civilly uned."

"This is my CUP (civil union partner)." (Additional vomit points if you then say something about "my cup runneth over" and snigger.)

But, I admit I often just refer to her as my wife because it's easier and I can't be?

It's a horrendous, ghastly word.

And it always makes me think of hubcaps for some reason.

civil unions are clearly superior because they're available to more people.

I couldn't agree with this more vigorously without developing an aneurysm. Seriously – fuck marriage already.

Well, there's a shade of difference in meaning between 'lover' and, say 'bonk', or 'fuckbuddy' or 'shag'.

How about "Beneficiary", as in Friends With.

Well, there's a shade of difference in meaning between 'lover' and, say 'bonk', or 'fuckbuddy' or 'shag'.

True, I retract my bucketful of lovers then. A handful perhaps.

BTW, I note a weird attitude in your post that implies that you think marriages are superior to civil unions. I'd argue that it's exactly the opposite – civil unions are clearly superior because they're available to more people.

That's not what I think, it's what I believe the social?

True, I retract my bucketful of lovers then. A handful perhaps.

I believe technically they're known as a "murder of lovers".

How about "Beneficiary", as in Friends With.

That does sort of imply that I'm doing someone a favour.

Single is sad. Celibate is worse.

I sympathise with you to the extent that involuntary celibacy is awful. But "Single is sad" doesn't always apply. A lot of people are happily single, and not in a rush to get partnered up for the sake of it. Some would love to?

Renee of Womanist Musings refers to her partner as her unhusband.

Having the right to marry, whether you choose to or not, is superior to not having it.

Only if you go along with that mindset. If people actually abandoned marriage in favour of civil unions for the reason that Thomas so succintly espoused, then civil unions would become the superior?

How about "Beneficiary", as in Friends With.

"So and so was the beneficiary of her largesse"?

Well, there's a shade of difference in meaning between 'lover' and, say 'bonk', or 'fuckbuddy' or 'shag'.

Quite. 'Lover' is much worse.

The one that I get really, really irritated by is being called "Mrs". Makes me see red.

I can't speak for Mrs, but I detest being called Ms.

Simplicity is the reason I often let strangers refer to me?

The one that I get really, really irritated by is being called "Mrs". Makes me see red.

I can't speak for Mrs, but I detest being called Ms.

TBH, I prefer it just because when one is being addressed by one's surname, I do not like being called Mrs. So?

Quite. 'Lover' is much worse.

Not as bad as "ladyfriend": a term usually used by wives.

If people actually abandoned marriage in favour of civil unions for the reason that Thomas so succintly espoused, then civil unions would become the superior institution.

You would still have some people who have a choice, and some people who don't. And the difference would be their sexual orientation. Don't?

I believe technically they're known as a "murder of lovers".

What about a grope of lovers? No, I suppose a grope of shags would be more appropriate. A clusterfuck of lovers? Or is that only relevant if you live in Wellington?

Don't some people who get civil unioned talk about?

TBH, I prefer it just because when one is being addressed by one's surname, I do not like being called Mrs. So Ms it is.

I dislike being called by my surname. No matter how formal the circumstances I will at least try to get away with introducing myself as?

Not as bad as "ladyfriend": a term usually used by wives.

I tend to use "gentleman caller" if my friends are doing someone but have yet to have the Let Us Define Our Relationship With One Word talk.

Personally, I am most excited about getting Facebook statused.

Don't some people who get civil unioned talk about being CUP'd? Which sounds more like an inappropriate tailor.

And their civil union partner as their 'cuppie'.

Sorry, just had to pop off and have a quick vomit.

'Civilly unified' is good. 'Civil universary' is good. But an equally bearable label?

Even better: say "this is one of my lovers".

I sometimes introduce my partner as "a drunk woman I found outside". We're friendly like that.

I haven't given thought to getting CU-ed rather than married. But I guess I like using 'husband' and 'wife' in a CU as it opens?

I quite like "beloved".

Yeah, I like that too. An ex used to call me that. A far sight nicer than what he calls me now, for that matter.

She calls me her man and I call her my woman.

It upsets just about everyone :)

'Civilly unified' is good. 'Civil universary' is good. But an equally bearable label for 'person I am in a civil union with' continues to elude me.

I think it is actually the term 'civil union' that's the problem. I've never been in one, but a long-term, committed relationship, with a?

But. There are people who are unhappy because they are not legally allowed to marry, and I don't think "oh come on, marriage sucks anyway" is an adequate response to that.

I believe Giovanni's wish is for marriage to cease to exist as a legal institution. So everyone would have?

I wish there was a word for "person you are in a civil union with"

Surely one half of a Civil Unit is just a Civil Half?

'Civilly unified' is good. 'Civil universary' is good. But an equally bearable label for 'person I am in a civil union with' continues to elude me.

Civilian? :-)

Yep, that's why I think the next step is to get the government out of the marriage business. Civil unions for all, leave "marriage" to the?

Personally, I am most excited about getting Facebook statused.

I gave up on the Facebook relationship status some time ago. It got tiresome updating it every couple of weeks.

Personally, I am most excited about getting Facebook statused.

I gave up on the Facebook relationship status some time ago. It got tiresome updating it every couple of weeks.

Plus which, when you have a status change that you haven't told many people about, suddenly you seem to be flooded?

Plus which, when you have a status change that you haven't told many people about, suddenly you seem to be flooded with excited/alarmed posts

Not least from the person involved.

Yep, that's why I think the next step is to get the government out of the marriage business. Civil unions for all, leave "marriage" to the church.

I support this idea in theory. In practice, I don't see it having a shit's show of actually happening.

I was going to say that I'm sure the Germans have one, and we should 'borrow-word' it into English.

In Italian we have the lovely word compagno/compagna

But we should use the beautiful Italian one instead.

Yes, Zivil-Gewerkschaft doesn't sound better.

And it always makes me think of hubcaps for some reason.

I hate "Bubby" even more, to refer to the children. It always makes me think of Hugo Weaving in Bad Boy Bubby.

I oppose the idea that civil unions are for everyone and to leave 'marriages' to church. I got married in a registry office rather than a church (displeasing my f-i-l)?

Yes, Zivil-Gewerkschaft doesn't sound better.

Sounds like a track on an early Kraftwerk album.

As well as all the no-box-to-tick hassles I've had two really upsetting "labels" arise from the lack of vocabulary to define our relationship (defacto for 13 years).?

There are people who are unhappy because they are not legally allowed to marry, and I don't think "oh come on, marriage sucks anyway" is an adequate response to that.

That's true, and then there's Devin and Glenn...

Once every couple of months or so, someone tries to marry me. It seems to be expected: I'm supposed to be married, so people will marry me. They do it quite casually: "Your husband", they'll say. "You and your husband", "Emma's husband".

It's hard to know what to do.

Politely?

Oh. Reality.

;-)

OF course, there's Judith "Miss Manners" Martin's priceless response on being asked the proper mode of address when introduced to a homosexual couple.

Or any couple surely. This could be the Blunt Question Of The Year:

"Hello, how do you do. Are you a zero, a one or a two?

I believe Giovanni's wish is for marriage to cease to exist as a legal institution. So everyone would have to get civil unions.

Then marriage would only exist as a social institution

This is already the case. If you have two legal institutions that are exactly equivalent (not quite the?

Shortly thereafter, I went ahead and contracted a marriage of inconvenience with my bidie-in. In the circles we?

Mate. Works everywhere except the Commonwealth.
Soulmate. Dualists only.
Helpmate. Probably best only after 20 years.
Spouse. A bit dry.
Other Half. Suggests you are a bit broken.
Concomitant. Does evoke prison imagery rather like...
Ball and Chain.
Consort. Not sure if it's gender neutral.
Counterpart. Might?

compagn(a|o)

If it has an "a" on the end of it the word is feminine.
Correct me if I'm wrong Giovanni.
Languages with genders.

Apropos "companion": years ago, I was in the National Youth Orchestra. The guest conductor?

If it has an "a" on the end of it the word is feminine.
Correct me if I'm wrong Giovanni.
Languages with genders.

You are, indeed, correct.

Consort. Not sure if it's gender neutral.

Hey, there have been princes and princesses consort over the years.

In the 2008 interview that is a permanent fixture on my iPod, Max Gimblett refers to his wife Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett as "forty-five years my consort" – said with such evident love and?

I can't speak for Mrs, but I detest being called Ms.

Heh. I HATED being called 'Miss', and I equally HATE being called 'Mrs', and insist on 'Ms' everywhere. We damn wimminz, with our variables.

I got married in 2001, before even giving this whole equal rights thing much thought.?

Amy is my "wife" for the reason that the word encompasses everything you need to know about our relationship

But the one thing it doesn't encompass is that you've deliberately chosen not to get married.

Not as bad as "ladyfriend": a term usually used by wives.

I love "manfriend". It's either that or the Steve Gray-ism "current root".

"This is my ex-girlfriend" is regulary utilised.

And

"Meet my first wife". Always brings a smile.

Sometimes not from spousey thingy though.....sometimes....she's nice but.

I love "manfriend". It's either that or the Steve Gray-ism "current root".

I once went out with a woman who referred to her lovers as "bits". As in "and this is my bit".

Oddly now I think about it, if I were civily unified to a woman, I think I'd be a lot more likely to call her my wife than I am my current partner my husband. That's... odd.

Yup. That's how I feel about it (not that I'm about to marry/CU?

"Meet my first wife". Always brings a smile.

Reminds me of the old line "You look just like my next husband".

Zivil-Gewerkschaft

getting schafted doesn't have a great ring to it...

... contracting a partner has some dis-ease associated...
if you are cupped there could be a mug...
getting unionised might imply unwed are scabs...
Monogamine is easier to swallow than melamine...
getting coupled sounds?

Hey, there have been princes and princesses consort over the years.

I like the sound of 'consort' not to mention 'consorting'! It goes well with 'consenting' and 'cavorting'.

But historically it denotes lesser status. A prince/princess consort gets that title as the consolation prize for not being King or Queen?

Depending on the company and attitude at the time you can be as playful and provocative as you like? Or to stangers introduce the?

(do there really have to be light sabers?)

I have two instant volunteers for the honour guard, if so.

Lovely Caroline spent a long time vexing a phone pollster for not being able to comprehend the civil union thing,

This actually makes me really angry, and I'm betting Caroline and I could do some good rant on it. Half a dozen categories for 'marital status', important to distinguish between?

I hate "Bubby" even more, to refer to the children. It always makes me think of Hugo Weaving in Bad Boy Bubby.

Granted, he does look similar, but the male lead in Bad Boy Bubby is Nicholas Hope.

There is an awful lot of middle class angst in this thread.?

Amy is my "wife" for the reason that the word encompasses everything you need to know about our relationship

But the one thing it doesn't encompass is that you've deliberately chosen not to get married.

Which I'm not sure I need to know. If you want me to, sure, but?

Helpmate. Probably best only after 20 years.

I wore white (cream actually – suits me much better), he wore tails, and we had a full scale nuptial mass. All I can say is that I was quite young at the time. Nearly 21 years it seems that we have now?

Also, perhaps crafty Wellingtonians are the best people to ask: who makes civil union cards? Somebody must, surely.

oo that's me
yippe

so crafty people don;t generally make cards that have a generic anything. it's pretty front blank inside.

that means we don;t have to do whole ranges, but also?

Also, perhaps crafty Wellingtonians are the best people to ask: who makes civil union cards? Somebody must, surely.

oh, and me! I'd suggest some of the lovely, hand-made cards from felt.co.nz:

http://www.felt.co.nz/browse/browse-by-category/56/cards

BTW, I note a weird attitude in your post that implies that you think marriages are superior to civil unions. I'd argue that it's exactly the opposite – civil unions are clearly superior because they're available to more people.

**That's not what I think, it's what I believe the social?

and I understand the idea of not letting the perfect be the enemy of the good.

That is assuming that marriage is the perfect and civil union are the good. A lot of gay campaigners beg to differ on that one. And I agree with them, insofar as we collectively?

ladyfriend

Eeew, if someone called me that? Ack. As has been proven in these parts, I am nobody's lady.

As Danielle says , we wimmins, we is fickle.

But, God, it still rankles being told "STFU and get a civil union, because it's marriage in all but name, and it's?

That is assuming that marriage is the perfect and civil union are the good.

No, it's not, Gio. that's not what Craig is saying. He's saying the 'good' is having the choice. Why do we have to decide one institution is more "meaningful" than the other? Why can't we just?

Other Half. Suggests you are a bit broken.

And without her I would be.

Eeew, if someone called me that? Ack. As has been proven in these parts, I am nobody's lady.

You're my ladyfriend, Megan. (Grabbing my flak-jacket, sprinting for the nearest window.) :)

A lot of gay campaigners beg to differ on that one.

Perfectly true, Gio. And here's my response: I'm?

Why can't we just make sure that everyone has the same opportunities, the same choices, and then get out of the way, let them make them, and mind our own fucking business?

Because nothing comes without a struggle, and we had to pick a fight. And it wasn't simply a?

But it's all very nice for Helen Clark to say she'd have chosen a civil union if it was an option back in 1981. There's nothing stopping her and Peter from dissolving their marriage and getting civilly unified.

They wouldn't need to do that.

See section 18 of the Civil?

You're my ladyfriend, Megan. (Grabbing my flak-jacket, sprinting for the nearest window.) :)

You, my darling, might be the only man who can get away with that.

And without her I would be.

Aaaw. AAAW.

And I'm aware that perversely of course the fact that now we do have civil?

Because nothing comes without a struggle

Indeed — and I'm a direct beneficiary of Fran Wilde having the balls to fight for my civil rights, through the hate mail and death threats, the attempts to derail and kill the bill in the House, even people in her own party convinced?

They're not legally equivalent, currently. It's not marriage in all but name. It's the sort of "marriage" where you can't legally adopt.

Yes, of this I am aware. But making civil unions truly on a par with marriage and opening up marriage to same-sex couples are different issues.

I also?

As has been proven in these parts, I am nobody's lady.

reminds me of a gorgeous poem by Pat Parker, which ends with:

"My lady is definitely no lady
which is fine with me,

cause I aint no gentleman."

(Italians, they love the Yiddish.).

Oy, at least you're not a feygele.

But making civil unions truly on a par with marriage and opening up marriage to same-sex couples are different issues.

Why can't we do both?

"My lady is definitely no lady
which is fine with me,

cause I aint no gentleman."

That has been my experience, yes. ;)

Why can't we do both?

I think we should. But in the meantime, I also think that nobody should get married. (Just like nobody should send their kids to private school, etc. Let's refuse choice until it's truly open to everyone.)

(Just like nobody should send their kids to private school, etc. Let's refuse choice until it's truly open to everyone.)

Vouchers for everyone!

They're not legally equivalent, currently. It's not marriage in all but name. It's the sort of "marriage" where you can't legally adopt.

WTF?
Emma – have you got a link to info explaining/outlining this, and any other differences.
Does it mean you have to be married to adopt? How about?

Are there any NZ children up for adoption?

Well for starters, yes, but the numbers are 'small'.

But... rights not important because you're not using them this week? Really?

Does it mean you have to be married to adopt? How about single parents?

I think we're currently in some stupid?

Does it mean you have to be married to adopt?

No. Single people may adopt. As can individuals in relationships.

However, only "spouses" may jointly adopt. A recent court case has decided that de facto couples can be spouses and may also jointly adopt (and legal experts appear to agree?

Nobody is harmed if Craig and his partner get married. Really just because Craig gets something he wants does not take it away from anyone else.

Sure, and as I've said repeatedly, people who get squicky about homos getting hitched need to deal with it, or at the very least?

Yes that makes me a complete sap I know

I'm waving at Bart: come over here to Saps' Corner. We have tissues. The kind with aloe vera.

If an individual adopts, for example, their partner's biological child, this would remove their partner's rights.

That could get remarkably kafkaesque, and here was I thinking it was only the legal areas I work in that were farked.
Any other areas demonstrating inequality, intentional or otherwise, as a result of?

But... rights not important because you're not using them this week? Really?

Yes, because that is so what I was saying.

Yes that makes me a complete sap I know

I'm waving at Bart: come over here to Saps' Corner. We have tissues. The kind with aloe vera.

Oh, I am so there with you.

I also really enjoy watching Love Actually each year at Christmas

I would love that movie so much more if there was a single happy ending in it for a woman who's not Martine whatshername (in whose case, happy ending = shagging Hugh Grant). Richard Curtis Bechdel test FAIL.

Otherwise,?

Any other areas demonstrating inequality, intentional or otherwise, as a result of the Civil Union Act?

I don't see that this is a result of the Civil Union Act. It is a result of the Adoption Act (and the fact that the Relationships (Statutory References) Act didn't amend it).

I would love that movie so much more if there was a single happy ending in it for a woman who's not Martine whatshername

Aurélia (played by Lúcia Moniz) didn't get a happy ending? Nor Judy (Joanna Page)? Nor Juliet (Keira Knightley)?

Have you even seen the film =)

I guess my beef is that apart from hunky-man (Laura Linney's love interest), no blokes get their hearts spectacularly?

Some folks also don't approve of marriages where the parties are of different races, religions or widely disparate in age (my parents ticked all three boxes), but the Marriage Act doesn't indulge them. And shouldn't.

Yes, my Mum got a bit steely-eyed about me devoting my undying soul to the?

until I pointed out to her that to me it was like devoting my secret mountain of gold stashed on Jupiter to the Catholic Church.

You did what?!

Wait till she leaves [redacted for spoiler] for [redacted for spoiler] a couple of months after Christmas...

And that wouldn't be a happy end for her?
=)

Interesting to note that there was originally a same-sex love-story (the headmistress, and her terminally ill partner) that was cut for length.

There?

My dad and I are...fraught, but last week, on some ad, I heard the tune to My Favourite Things, and?

When I was a young man people for Christmas watched Young Frankenstein. It was a better world.

But did it pass the Bechdel test?

(Speaking of things that do: until last week, I had managed to avoid reading Girl Genius for five years. I don't understand how.)

until I pointed?

until I pointed out to her that to me it was like devoting my secret mountain of gold stashed on Jupiter to the Catholic Church

I have an atheist friend who did the full Catholic mass marriage ceremony for his betrothed's benefit, for much the same reasons. I couldn't, because?

But did it pass the Bechdel test?

I don't think there is a single scene in Young Frankenstein without any males in it.

(I'm being coy – of course I remember them all by heart and know with certainty that this is the case.)

However it still crushes Love Actually?

However it still crushes Love Actually on every plane.

Except for the Bill Nighy Christmas song bit.

But more to the point, after my son turned 12 he automatically went from being Master to Mr on various forms, airline tickets, etc. My daughter, on the other hand, has remained Miss through twelve and?

Personally, I like to use the word "lover". It makes people so gloriously uncomfortable. Say "and this is my lover," and people have to visualise you having sex.

Thank you Emma. That (in particular) made me laugh out loud.

Nobody is harmed if Craig and his partner get married. Really?

I would love that movie so much more if there was a single happy ending in it for a woman who's not Martine whatshername

Aw come on Harriet and Carla seemed pretty damn happy with Colin at the end!

And Joanna got her Sam!

But yes more female hearts were?

Did Bart steal them all?

I didn't do it!

We just have cheap scratchy ones here at work and they make my nose all red and sore :(

Yes, Zivil-Gewerkschaft doesn't sound better.

You keep your Gewerkschaft away from me, old son, Zivil or not. I don't swing that way. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Young Frankenstein

Masssster hasn't disappeared

He just got chopped up for spare parts?

We put a note in the programme (oh?

So one of our Christmas traditions revolves around us getting cards addressed to 'Mr and Mrs'. I laugh while she fumes. Then she kicks me in the nuts so she can have a laugh.

Do you get the Mr and Mrs His Full Name ones? We did, last Christmas. I?

More seriously, we looked at double-barrelling, but neither of the available combos sounded right.

I had friends that got married last year, and their names combined perfectly to create Parsley.

I'm still a little bit miffed they didn't become Mr and Mrs Parsley.

Do you get the Mr and Mrs His Full Name ones? We did, last Christmas. I went rather beyond fuming.

My mum, not an activist in any way, used to post back any letter addressed to Mrs My Dad's Name.

She only fumes because it's been going on for so many years that the full-on eruptions have died down from magma to fumes.

Difficult to yell at elderly relatives, though.

So one of our Christmas traditions revolves around us getting cards addressed to 'Mr and Mrs'. I laugh while she fumes. Then she kicks me in the nuts so she can have a laugh.

Do you get the Mr and Mrs His Full Name ones? We did, last Christmas. I?

You did what?!

Won't I look silly if there really is a gold mountain on Jupiter, which does turn out to belong to me. Also at the Pearly Gates. I'll be forking out to Pascal over his wager too.

'But WHY do you believe in magic? It's stupid!'

I expect?

Mr and Mrs His Full Name ones

These. Seriously, man. What. The Fuck. And even the Danielle His Last Name cards, which were sort of understandable, maybe, are now *totally* inexcusable because many of the relatives who send us these things are friends with me on Facebook, where it is?

However, when a woman is a Dame – as appointed by the GG on behalf of HM the Queen – she is Dame whoever, and her husband? Well, you can see my point. He retains his identity.

It might be wrong, and I know I've discussed this before over on?

In our case we have relatives who do this very deliberately.

I can't actually work out if this is them being passive-aggressive twatcocks, or just sheer mental laziness. But it is rather difficult to bring up because I'm kind of... not very confrontational with in-laws. At all. It seems churlish?

Thanks for that link to Ted Olson on Fox. I hadn't seen that before.

Theres something powerful about being in the presence of such clarity of mind. I felt similarly when reading some of the passages in Carl Sagan's "Demon Haunted World".
I don't imagine there is anyone in?

Yes, because that is so what I was saying.

Well it looked like you were saying "it resolves itself because there aren't really children in NZ to be adopted". Hence my question. Feel free to, y'know, clarify.

I'm blessed by being with one of those ones that's only a member?

It might be wrong, and I know I've discussed this before over on Twitter, but all I want in life is to become a Dame.

We are dames, darling, just not Dames. It's good enough for me.

my awesome, thematically consistent French-assed name *remains* awesome, thematically consistent, and French-assed.

From?

The older I get though, the more I think I want to hang on to?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_XSXHm4vT4

I want in life is to become a Dame.

I think I must be tired because I just saw you as a 20's flapper with some guy in a pinstripe suit saying "whadda a dame" ...

I think I must be tired because I just saw you as a 20's flapper with some guy in a pinstripe suit saying "whadda a dame" ...

That's the one, yes.

Free wine at communion?

I really should go to a Mass at least once in my life, just to see, and get the bonus sacrament, bringing me up to a bare fail.

surnames in most of the Western World, are patriachal

Funny you should mention that: my New Zealand passport gives my name, technically, as 'Danielle Cara [Father's Last Name] [Mother's Maiden Name]' because my birth certificate is Venezuelan and that's how they do things there. Which makes me wonder just how?

However, one of the sensible things I did in all of this was to give my children my surname, which has saved a lot of confusion over the?

* Yeah, I just use "wife",?

Well it looked like you were saying "it resolves itself because there aren't really children in NZ to be adopted". Hence my question. Feel free to, y'know, clarify.

I thought it was pretty clear: we should equalise things at our end (and it looks like we basically have, according to?

When forms arrive with the standard options: Mr, Miss, Mrs, Ms, – invariably in that order – I go for Dr, which keeps 'em guessing about the number of penises involved – just the way I like it...

:)) Nice

Ms 8 asked her mum only yesterday 'why do you have dad's last name?' Mum replied 'well I thought about it, and could choose to keep my dad's name, which was his dad's name, or grannies?

When forms arrive with the standard options: Mr, Miss, Mrs, Ms, – invariably in that order – I go for Dr, which keeps 'em guessing about the number of penises involved – just the way I like it...

There is a classic thought-experiment paradox along these lines, explained on wiki?

I was quite happy,despite being a?

It's almost like I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop. There's a small part at the back of my brain that keeps saying: 'So. The party. When's that then? You know. The clothes, the cake, the speeches. Anytime soon? Should I make a note of the date?'.

Stupid, I?

Everybody has their own way of doing things, when it comes to tying the legal knot civilly or uncivilly.

Which is kind of the point, isn?t it? I want a big *&^% off wedding, with bridesmaids and cake and dancing and speeches, a giant white dress and a smiling groom. (If?

A luvvveerrr, to bring it back to the discussion.

there's a key component yet to be added to the picture

Why are you worried about details, just get a good planner and they'll sort the details out.

She told me that she'd organise the whole thing, and I could just pick up a groom at the airport on?

There is a classic thought-experiment paradox along these lines, explained on wiki thusly...

yes, Rich, I have heard this one a few times now. I guessed it the first time as it seemed so obvious. Not because I'm a genius, though that possibility shouldn't be dismissed altogether...but more because I?

For civil unionists, has anyone suggested, springboarding?

But Scottish friends commented how much they loved that in NZ you could get married in a park or front yard or wherever.... because the only legal options?