About six months after my met my husband, we were driving in the car and I thought (stupidly really) I would play that game, you know the one where you say “I know! Lets each tell each other what we think the other one’s flaws are”.
I had a whole list ready to tell him, he is a bit stubborn, he is too aggressive on the road, not demonstrative enough etc etc. You know, all things he could change (with a little direction and help from me) to become a better person.
I let him go first, thinking he would have to think for ages before coming up with any thing, and he immediately said “well, you whine quite a bit”.
“WHAT?????”
“I whine? What do you mean, I whine?” I was floored. Me a whiner?? And he wasn’t even being ugly, he was being matter of fact. It was one of those moments of enlightenment. And I realized, for the first time in my life, at the ripe old age of 30 something, that I am a whiner. I never knew. In a way it was quite liberating. They say the first step to solving your problem (not that I want to solve this, or that I believe it’s a problem), is admitting you have the problem in the first place.
It’s also been very effective against my husband because when he accuses me of being a whiner I say “I know”. Because that’s what I am.
However, if he listened to me the first time round then I wouldn’t have to whine, now would I? Please don’t walk outside in your socks, please take those muddy shoes off, please DO NOT USE THAT CLOTH TO WIPE THINGS OFF THE FLOOR! He uses the cloth that I use to wipe the counter tops. Has the man no sense?
So, I am a whiner. I whine. Anyhow, moving on.
Every now and then I discover other character flaws. Very few of course, and absolutely minor ones. This latest one was pointed out to me by Julie. My BF. Well, could be ex BF. She asked if I ever read any thing through properly. I mentioned something that apparently if I had the rest of the post I would have got the full story. And I had another one of those moments of enlightenment. Do you know that I never read any thing properly, ever. I have the concentration span of a two year old and I skim read every thing. How I managed to do three degrees I will never know. There was discussion on Jo’s blog about the book ‘What to Expect’, about some iffy parts of the book. I’ve never noticed. I’ve read the book twice.
I’ve mentioned before about my love of bullet points. Apparently I read that way as well. It’s just that my brain is really full. I don’t have much space for the details. I know it is also because I am damn lazy. If I can’t understand something straight away, or I get a lengthy, wordy document at work I will immediately ask the person to summarize it in a few bullet points.
I feel guilty now because I am not giving the full and proper attention to all the bloggers out there. I speed read the posts. And very seldom do I read the comments. I am a superficial bitch. A superficial, whining bitch with the concentration span of a two year old. Thank god for my many other fabulous and wonderful qualities.
You're wonderful!
I think...
I only glanced at this entry.
Posted by: JJ | 16 July 2004 at 02:48 PM
Oh, quit your damn whining.
xxx
Posted by: Danae | 16 July 2004 at 04:21 PM
Posted by: Julie | 16 July 2004 at 05:04 PM
Telling those things to your husband isn't really considered whining is it? More like nagging I would think.
whining is more like, "Do I have to go grocery shopping all by myself again?" or "Why does it always rain when I want to go do something fun?"
But anyway it doesn't matter, you're not really reading this are you?
Posted by: Andreah | 16 July 2004 at 06:24 PM
What? Did you say something?
Posted by: Marla | 16 July 2004 at 06:47 PM
Ah, we still think you're cool. Whiny and all. Hope you're feeling all right today.
Posted by: Katie | 16 July 2004 at 07:42 PM
Huh? You mean you *don't* read me all the way through?
Harumph. *slinking off in corner to weep*
Posted by: Karen | 16 July 2004 at 10:03 PM
It's called "selective reading" and it's a trait that all good Mom's MUST have. It goes hand in hand with selective hearing, also.
I can send you some bullet points on it if you like!
Posted by: Sherry | 17 July 2004 at 03:07 AM
I frequently get told by my darling husband (not) that he's got some wonderful cheese to go with that wine I've got. Hardy-har-har is all I have to say to that.
Posted by: Anne | 17 July 2004 at 03:55 AM
Ah, such minor flaws could not detract from otherwise perfection, Tertia!
Posted by: Milenka | 17 July 2004 at 05:47 PM
Very very good! I asked for that.
Posted by: Tertia | 18 July 2004 at 08:15 AM