Generally, I really like all things Elvis. He changed the face of music, he had a gorgeous face, and was unafraid to really stand out in a very conservative time. (Did you know that when Elvis was a schoolboy, he wore black and pink clothes and even eyeliner - when all of his peers were rocking the crew cut and plaid shirt look?)

I even like Elvis' daughter, Lisa Marie. I think there's something cool, if a bit rough around the edges, about her. But she does make some confusing life choices. I don't know what stymies me more - her rabid Scientologism or her serial weddings. This past week, she married her fourth husband. Now, I understand that people make mistakes. We all act rashly and regretfully. Would you want to stay married to Michael Jackson? I'm also on the fence about crazy-eyed Nicholas Cage, to say the least.

But I'm beginning to find it hard to make excuses for her any more. Four husbands, Lisa, before you even hit 40? What are you thinking? Are you thinking at all?

Well I for one have been thinking. About marriage, and how many different reasons there are to marry even once. Emotional security, children, family pressure, financial reasons. The best reason I've ever heard is "Because I want to link with this person in every way humanly possible." So here I am, trying to enumerate all the reasons people decide to marry even once and along come people like LMP, making that 'life-long' decision, over and over!

As many of you are experiencing right now, planning a wedding is hard. Being married is even harder...usually for much longer, D. and I have been together for 4 years now and it's hard enough to conceive of ending what we have built together. (Perish the thought!) But what's even tougher to get my head around is doing it all. over.again. With someone completely new. It exhausts me. I need to lie down just thinking of it.

I may be old-fashioned but I think marriage is forever. All those vows should at least attempt to keep a couple together 'til the end of their earthly lives, right? It should be a once in a lifetime effort - or else why bother?

Right?