Interesting realization this week. Donna was surrounded in her upbringing by a father and a grandfather who were really handy. If the car was broke, they fixed it. Same with pretty much everything else around the house. Consequently, it's status quo for her when I replace the fuel pump in the trooper, or plumb in the sink or whatever else I want to feel like a hero about. So while I want to dance around and sing, "look at me, look at me" like the 7 year old going off the diving board for the first time, she, not lifting her eyes, just thinks, "uh, big deal, that's what people do. whaddya want? a gold star??"
Nice thing about this realization is it helps me understand her point of view better. No wonder she's not impressed. Heck, her dad can weld aluminum. I can't do that - yet.
"I want those who get to know me
To become admirers or my enemies"
--Adam Ant
On the bright side, the converse is also true - there are those things that are easy to do that seem super impressive...once...
Posted by: uh at May 6, 2004 12:50 PMAll I can say in my defense is that I'm lucky to be with a man that can do what it takes to get things fixed. Plus, I can do a number of things a lot of women can't or won't. Just remember who had your back at that midnight border crossing in Honduras or who talked the mexican police into giving me back your brother's driver's licence after he blew through a red light in Mexico. If gold stars are being handed out I'll like a few too.
Posted by: d at May 8, 2004 05:03 PMMy father was one of those DIY types, too (before there was an acronym for it and it was just called 'handy"). He tried to teach me, but I am just not capable of fixing or building anything. My brother did inherit that gene from my father though times 10. I keep trying to explain to him that he could be making a fortune with those skills, but the drugs and alcohol seem to take a priority. Sad.
Posted by: Kevin at May 8, 2004 10:01 PMyou forgot live in a construction zone...
No, this isn't an indictment or critique but a realization of expectations. We all have them, I have a high expectation of "capability" so of course I expected you to have my back at the border crossing (the mexican police thing, that was above and beyond - 2 gold stars). What's great about the realization is now I understand *why* you aren't impressed - and that is a relief.
Doesn't everyone come to the table with expectations?
Posted by: mh at May 9, 2004 09:47 PMwelcome to jt's world. "you're my dad!"
Posted by: rt at May 13, 2004 12:45 PM