Hey Lifers!

Welcome back to Ask Uncut, where we answer your deepest, darkest and most burning questions!

School holidays are officially over (parents, we made it), but Laura’s trip home from the coast did not go to plan. An hour and a half into the drive, ten minutes out of Wollongong, Matt calls and asks her to pull over and check for something…. Cue a full U-turn, a seven-hour version of a three-hour drive, and a five-year-old who handles it with more grace than any of us would.

Vibes of the week:

Laura – Worst Roommate Ever, Season 2, Episode 1: My BFF Tried to Kill Me on Netflix.

Britt – The Celebrity Traitors UK. We’re four episodes in and Joanne McNally is as funny as ever.

Then it’s into your questions!

Q1: MY HUSBAND IS THROWING ME A SURPRISE PARTY AND I DON’T WANT IT

I’ve just had a baby, and a few weeks ago I told my husband that my 40th is coming up and I really don’t feel like a big party. I specifically said, “Do not throw me a surprise party,” and gave him multiple reasons why. I’d much prefer to go away with just our family. He’s ignored me, and I’m 99% sure he’s planning one anyway. He planned a surprise birthday for me once before with my family and friends, which turned into him proposing. I’d clued into that one too, so I knew it was coming, and I hated the pressure of it all being about me. I’ve had to pretend all these years that I didn’t know. Am I being a bitch and ungrateful? Do I have to just relax and enjoy the party I specifically said I didn’t want, or do I bring it up again?

Q2: CAN I ASK FOR MONEY INSTEAD OF PRESENTS AT MY TODDLER’S BIRTHDAY?

I just listened to the episode on the wedding gift registry and wanted your thoughts. My daughter turns two soon, and we struggle with presents because she already has so many toys. For her first birthday party, we respectfully asked for no gifts, and if people wanted to give something, they could contribute to her bank account, so one day she can afford a car or a house (because the economy is fucked). We got some mixed opinions. For her second birthday, do we say nothing at all, or do we request the same thing as last year?

Q3: MY BOYFRIEND WEARS THE SAME TRACKIES TO THE GYM AND TO BED

My boyfriend goes to the gym in tracksuit pants. He’ll then have a shower, but put the same pants back on, and then get into bed, under the covers, and fully go to sleep in them. I keep telling him this is gross because gyms are very unhygienic, but he thinks I’m overreacting. I’d love for you to weigh in!

Q4: I’VE HAD FEELINGS FOR MY FRIEND FOR TEN YEARS. DO I SHOOT MY SHOT?

Please help talk some sense into me. I’ve had feelings for a male friend on and off for over ten years. We met at uni, and over the years he’s had a long-term girlfriend and we’ve lived in different cities. Since moving back, we’ve reconnected and caught up occasionally, including a recent five-hour evening having dinner and hanging out at his place. We have a lot in common and get along really well, but nothing romantic has ever happened. He’s quite reserved and I genuinely can’t tell if he’s interested. Lately my feelings have become almost obsessive. I’m extremely sensitive to rejection, I overanalyse every interaction, and I feel physically sick at the thought of him dating someone else. I’m terrified that confessing will ruin our friendship. Meanwhile I’ve been dating other men, including someone who is flying interstate to see me, but I worry I’m using dating as a distraction. Have I romanticised the idea of us after all these years? Should I finally tell him and risk rejection, or just try to move on? Or is there a less risky way to float the idea?

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Intro: Laura’s seven-hour car key disaster
7:03 — Vibes of the week: Worst Roommate Ever & The Celebrity Traitors UK
11:58 — Q1: My husband is throwing me a surprise party I don’t want
18:41 — Q2: Can I ask for money instead of presents at my toddler’s birthday?
25:48 — Q3: My boyfriend wears his gym trackies to bed
32:37 — Q4: I’ve had feelings for my friend for ten years. Do I shoot my shot?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.