Well, it’s been a crazy week. Some days I feel like I do nothing but run around and I don’t have a minute of downtime and then I have nothing to show for it but a blogless week!
I’m sure you know the kind of week I’m talking about. The challenge for me seems to be that every week so far this summer, has been overflowing with activities: extra work, grocery shopping for weekend bbqs, buying birthday presents (cause you know hubby doesn’t do this task..), giving the dog a bath.. I could go on and on.
Hubby, while he’s had a busy week at work, has had time to go to the gym, play video games, watch movies and read his Nook. All-in-all, I guess it was pretty much just a regular week around here for him. 🙂
I guess there’s one thing that’s affected us both recently, although I wouldn’t necessarily say evenly. This is one of those things that hubby awfulizes. However to me, his comments provide pure comedy. Simply because….from where I’m standing, the insanity of his complaint is just ludicrous.
Let me start by saying, if you didn’t already know, we live on the Jersey Shore. Now, I hesitate to write that because I’m sure, for some of you, that conjures up images of Snooki & “The Situation” and you’re cringing now wondering how big the bump is in my hair. I can assure you that any person who is native to the Jersey Shore, wants to scream from the rafters “We do not look or behave like that here!” or “None of those bozos on MTV are even from NJ!”. I get it, NJ has always had a bad rap throughout the country. I’ve heard it all… “You’s guys”. “The Armpit of America”. “Big, teased hair”. I get it. NJ is the butt of many, many jokes. There are so many new shows that have done such a wonderful job to portray us as meathead, crazy-ass lunatics, that I’ve lost count. For those of us who live here all year, we dread the summer when those people come down the Parkway in droves to invade our towns and beaches with their stereotypical (and horrifying) “Jersey” behavior. If I were to tell you that those people are such a miniscule fraction of the people who are actually in NJ, you may not believe me. But, for whatever it’s worth, BELIEVE IT, DAMN IT!… or I’ll have to go all Tony Soprano on your ass. Ok, wow, I really got off on a tangent there, but I guess I get a little fired up about all that ‘GTL’ business. Anyway, I have to go now.. I’m late for a tanning appointment. 😉
Anyhoo….the reason I bring this all up is because the one thing that’s a guarantee in NJ, on a regular basis, is traffic. And, the other guarantee is that, if you live at the Jersey Shore, the traffic during the summer worsens about tenfold.
It’s at this point that I should tell you a bit about myself that you also may not know. I work a field based job. So, I’m either on the road driving all over the state, or I’m at our regional office which (on a good day) is over an hour from my house. Let me say that again. There’s almost no day ever where my starting point is closer than 1 hour from where I live. Now, as you may imagine, when you start to factor in NJ traffic this hour can easily swing closer to 2 hours. AND, when you factor in summer shore traffic, well…. let’s just say, that I’ve learned to always allow for extra driving time and I’ve become quite adept at conducting life from my car.
Now, you may wonder how my dear hubby fares with all this traffic? Well, let me tell you a bit about hubby to properly set the stage.
Hubby has had the same job for the past 10 years. This job is 4.5 miles from where we live (I Google mapped it so he couldn’t suggest that I’m making this up). The route he takes to get to work is 100% on back roads and it incorporates exactly 7 turns – this INCLUDES the turn out of our driveway AND the turn into his office parking lot. This trip, on average, takes him 8-10 minutes. Did I mention it’s 4.5 miles away?
So imagine my surprise when we have the following conversation.
This is on an evening when I arrive home at 7:30 at night after driving for 2 hours in the summer traffic.
Hubby: “I got behind a total moron on the way to work today”
Me: “Uh huh…”
Hubby: “You wouldn’t believe it…. I had to follow him all the way down Hope Rd and he was only doing 25 mph!!!”
Me: “Ok”
Hubby: “It took me forever to get to work.”
Me: “You do realize that I commute, in traffic, on the parkway, with morons every single day… right?”
Hubby: “Yes”
Me: “So, it took you a long time to get to work today huh??”
Hubby: “Yes, it was ridiculous”
Me: “So, your normal drive is what.. less than 10 minutes.. right?”
Hubby: “About that…”
Me: “And, how long did it take you today..”
Hubby: imagine exasperated drama in his tone.. “It took me almost 15 minutes!”
Me: “Are you sure you really want to have this conversation with me?”
Hubby: “What do you mean?”
Me: “Nothing”
Hubby: “Ok… so anyway,. They should revoke people’s licenses who drive like that. It was a horrible way to start my day”
Me: “Yes honey, I know……”
So there you have it. Hubby had an awful day because it took him an extra 5 minutes to get to work. I don’t have any idea how he survived! I’m certainly not comparing our jobs but good lord, if I let all that driving & traffic get to me the way he does I’d be one miserable, cranky, bitch….
Oh wait…. Maybe………..Nah……..
I’m a cranky bitch for completely different reasons! 🙂
Never judge a man till you have walked 4.5 miles in his shoes
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I would do almost anything (yes ANYTHING) for a 15 minute commute. I drive an hour w/o traffic.
But since I am a husbandand we have to stick together, I imagine that he was ready to off road it to get to the job. Hubby, I understand.
At least you didnt have to do this after your drinking and cigar (early) night
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Scott ~ I understand the male bond & support but I bet if you’d been there, even you, would have wanted to smack somebody in the head! 🙂
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I feel the need to chime back in on this one. Before I start those if you who are a little sensitive about stuff should skip this.
Rant On:
Let it be known its not the commute that I am complaining about its the other drivers. I dont care if I am driving 2 minutes or 2 hours, if the speed limit sign says 40 and there is a moron doing 30 with a line of cars up his ass then he/she should be killed. That right I said killed. For the benefit of the rest of us. Obviosuly these people are no longer able to cope with the speed of life. So, put them out of their misery, or at least out of mine. These clear headed self centered jerks don’t even have the decency to look in the review mirror and notice the back up of cars that they have created for as far as the eye can see. Seriously, if you are driving along and the road before you is empty and there is a trail of 10 to 20 cars behind you all up each others butts, then you are the problem. Oh and when that same moron doing 30 in a 40 crosses into a 50 mph zone and still goes 30 well then not only should they be killed, but somebody they know should also be killed just to serve as an example to other would be morons.
:Rant Off
“phew” glad to have that out in the open.
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People who drive the exact same speed as the traffic in the next slower lane. Arrrrghh!
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ahh the moving road block. All to familiar with that.
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I love your stories! I just found your blog through the Lady Bloggers Society and I am now a follower!
Loving The Reflection
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Thanks for stopping by Courtney!
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I must admit, I’m guilty of being all irritated when I get to work by stupid drivers…..and I walk to work. *head hung in shame* lol
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Honey B ~ You are totally alright…. no shame in being totally irritated by stupid drivers. I think we are all guilty of that!! And oh, what I would give to be able to walk to work!!!!!!!!!! Soooo jealous!
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It’s interesting to read stories about other parts of our country and find out what bugs the people living there. I can’t relate to such heavy traffic because, although Montana is a large state, it’s also sparsely traveled. Your humor’s great. Fun blog & a great post
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Manzanita ~ Thank you! I think people in other areas of the country wouldn’t be able to process what it’s like to deal with Tri-State area traffic. And, for us (well me.. not hubby) it’s just a way of life!
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Your blog totally cracked me up!
All I can say for your hubby is “poor baby!” (Please hear the sarcasm.
I used to drive an hour and a half to work behind many morons. Funny blog and I am now a follower!
oh yeah, came from the tea party too. 😉
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Naila ~ You’ve taken the words out of my mouth… if you only knew how many days I make that EXACT same statement to hubby…. “awwww… poor baby!”
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I found you through the Lady Bloggers Tea Party. I love your blog! You have a great writing style. You are an amazing story teller and I can’t wait to read more!
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Rachel ~ Thanks so much for your kind words.. they are much appreciated! So glad you stopped by!
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2 hours? Please tell me that was not a normal commute for you.
I used to drive an hour to 1-1/2 hours each way. I quit that job because of the commute.
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I J L ~ I only wish I was making that up. It’s a field job so, most days I’m on the road all day driving to see customers and I’d say that between 1-2 hours is actually not all that uncommon (at least for a starting point – I generally work my way closer to home as the day goes on). I wish it were different, but it’s the life I’ve chosen! 🙂
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My husband told me after I was out of town for business, “You know, these kids don’t sleep!” Yes. Yes, I know. I get up with them every night. Freaking oblivious. Men.
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LOL. Well let me say I sympathize with commuting and hope to never have to do it again.
I’d be cranky admittedly because people slow for any reason makes my blood boil.
My husband’s work is around the corner… he walks. I wander what would stop his commute? A kid on a bike?
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Hi there.
I clicked your link at the blogluxe awards list of nominees, and haven’t stopped chuckling! I vote for June of Bye Bye Pie, and now I’ll vote for you too! And keep reading…
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