Set games and platonic relationships

So, let me tell you what my life has come to...

I am now having daily Set competitions with Mike. We do the daily puzzle and compare our times. It's definitely a way to make work a little more interesting. So, all the way from Philly, Mike is keeping me entertained. Mike doesn't do anything all day and I'm just bored, so I guess it makes sense. He's keeping track of our times supposedly, so I will spare you the details in my blog.

The other day, F was reading Mike's blog and she asked me why Mike and I never dated. First of all, we've each had long-term hookups with each other's friends BEFORE we even really knew each other, so there is a certain level of discretion that has already been breached. Second of all, I don't think we would have cute children. So really, what's the point? Anyway, this got me thinking about platonic relationships.

I'm not sure what it takes to to have close platonic (free from sexual desire, in case that was unclear for anyone) male friends. For most, in order to have a successful platonic relationship with someone, it requires for one of the parties to be in a non-platonic relationship with someone else, so perhaps that is a contributing factor. I guess I am just mindful of boundaries and cognizant of what I want out of a relationship. I think about the big picture and realize that in the grand scheme of things, certain individuals are only meant to be friends and that the friendship is more valuable to me than one too many drinks leading to an awkward morning after or something to that effect, ultimately jeopardizing the friendship.

Purely platonic guy friends are hard to come by because 1) they have probably had thoughts of getting into your pants 2) you have sought them for the comfort that only the opposite sex can provide and 3) people lose better judgement when they are lonely, horny, drunk,or tired.

We need those friends of the opposite sex. They give you something that same sex friendships can't provide (and same-sex friendships give you something that opposite-sex friendships can't provide as well!), such as reassurance about what a great catch you are and insight into the psyche of the opposite sex. It's just a different type of exchange that I think has been very healthy for me and I think others as well. I'd like to think my guy friends (or at least Mike) enjoy my company and think that I have more to offer as a friend than as a hookup. Maybe it's not for everyone. *shrug* Maybe we just need to go into relationships with boundaries already defined so that we don't deal with the drama of confusion and mixed signals. Maybe we should just forget relationships entirely and just have daily set competitions. Any other ideas?