Examining the Gaggle

The Girls over at WTF is UP with My Love Life (thanks Hot Mess for turning me onto them) are hotly debating Gaggles and Self-Justifying Players. Sidenote: I came into the discussion late and every time they said SJP I thought they meant Sarah Jessica Parker which made me think of Carrie from Sex and the City which actually isn't too far off base since after thinking about it she may be the female Self-Justifying Player. Anyway...they are discussing opening up your horizons by having a gaggle of guys who provide SOMETHING in your life. And also, that they should be able to shift from what they offer. SOOOO...I thought I should maybe look over my own gaggle (if I even have one!) First, WTF is a gaggle? Go there and find out.

1. The ExWhatever: He may be engaged but until a ring is on his finger I consider him an option. Even though I have contented myself with a really shitty friendship with him (courtesy of his fiance throwing walls up between us). Even if a ring is on his finger, I'll secretly be hoping their marriage fails and I'm there when it crumbles. Currently, he is the measuring stick I use to evaluate all other prospects though I had found someone I thought was an even better prospect, he is currently on my shitlist. I will still make sure I look damn good any time there is a chance the ExWhatever could cross my path (which admittedly since relocating is not often).
2. The Ex: THE Ex, The guy who stole my virginity from me. Lets be honest, no matter how many times I pretend to be over him, he'll always be a prospect I consider going back to. The last time I spoke to him, I ditched him in a bar and never saw him again but I know if I cross his path again, it will be hard to pretend I don't care what he's up to or who he is fucking. Like the ExWhatever, he is a measuring stick for the men in my life- the measuring stick of what not to be!
3. The Gym Crush: currently taking applications for this role (also, if you're any good jacking photos from websites, hit me up. I finally found the original gym crush online and would love for you all to see him). Since I can't go to my gym anymore, I don't see him but I hold out hope I'll unexpectedly bump into his tattooed self. He's not a viable candidate for romance (wife and kid and all that) but for a hookup (I know I'm a horrible person but would you rather me spend my life wondering). He's the motivation in my morning and I sorely need it back.
4. The 70s Throwback: I might care a little too much what people think about this guy to go the distance (at least if I stay in Atlanta) but he's the most intelligent guy I've spoken to in a long time. Once you look past his polyester shirts, afro and awesome 70s porn star stache, he's witty and funny and actually cute in a totally different I love me some hippies (who shower) kind of way. I spend most of my days texting back and forth with him (drunk and sober) and entertaining myself with his humor.
5. The Family Guy: He's in our circle of friends and ideally he is the kind of guy I hope to one day meet and settle down with (no matter how many times I tell you guys I'm not getting married). He's college educated, hard working and successful in his chosen career, loves sports and is very close with his family (who are all also awesome). Currently in his man-whore phase so I'm steering clear. I don't see or talk to him often but if I ever need anything he drops everything for me which is great. He's the first one to notice if something is wrong and ask about it.
6. The Hookup: Currently single (for now) the hookup is a player, player but great in bed. When he calls and I'm busy, it has the power to ruin my night. I find myself trying to find ways to get out of whatever is really important that I am attending to so I can run off and let him pleasure me. Problem at this junction would be that I don't know a whole lot about him. Is he intelligent? Does he have goals? Will he ever settle down? That might be part of the allure. I'd hate to blow it off and miss out on all those things happening with me benefitting from it.
7. The Friend: Who is actually a friend of The Ex (post breakup). Solid job, solid family, solid friends, just all around a solid person. Right now, he's one of my favorite people (our post weekend recap phone calls are absolutely the high light of my Mondays). We've always just been friends so I've never thought about crossing that line but you never know.
8. The IT Guy: The guy at work who handles IT for me (literally the only one I will go to for help) also happens to now be a friend. He has tried to ask me on dates and I always wiggle my way out of it. The weird thing is I cannot see myself dating him (I do not find him sexually attractive) but when he has a girlfriend, I get annoyed by it. Maybe I just want to attention to be centered on me. Or maybe, deep down in a place I refuse to acknowedge I am interested in him (we'll never know since this refusal wall is up and made of steel).
9. The Long Distance Friend: Has a girlfriend. Texts and emails and calls me constantly. When we hang out, people always think he's my boyfriend. But that pesky girlfriend thing is in the way.

Clearly, my gaggle needs to be expanded. What are your thoughts on the gaggle mentality? Is your gaggle in need of improvement?