By Mark
I’m not kidding. Google it. This is a recent thing with me and I was thinking of asking my Doctor about it and so I googled the symptoms and lo and behold, it has a name and it’s not uncommon. I have to tell you though, the first few times it happened I wasn’t sure what to make of it nor was I open to telling others about it as it was too hard to explain to someone. Suffice it to say, it’s a little bizarre to experience an extremely loud BANG in my head along with a bright flash of light as I’m falling asleep. I’m going to start a support group. Hello my name is Mark and my head explodes.
Well, here we are on Day 3. It’s been pretty non-stop since Andrea left. Yesterday I took the girls to see Alvin and the Chipmunks at the theatre. I was kind of expecting it to be lame but it surprised me and I actually found myself laughing a couple of times. I know, I know…it’s hard to imagine how 3 CGI chipmunks can hold interest for a grown man…but then I will make a distinction here. I said “grown” not “mature”. I find it easy to invoke my inner child when the situation calls for it.
After School today, I took the girls to Cosmic Adventures which if you are not familiar with it it can be best described as a huge habitrail kit for kids. There was hardly anyone there so I just grabbed a cup o’ joe and watched the kids run wild. Normally, I would climb through the tubes with them but I foolishly injured my neck last week carrying both my children on each shoulder. Scrambling through hundreds of meters of plastic tubing on my hands and knees easily lost out to sitting on a bench with a cup of coffee.
On tomorrow’s schedule. Swimming lessons….and I promise to take some time to talk about a few of the requests for topics…I just figured nothing could beat the Exploding Head thing today.
I’d like to start here with a couple of comments about how I ended up being the keeper of the blog. First of all, I was railroaded. At no point did Andrea ask me if it would be ok if she posted asking others for suggestions on what I would blog about. Her posts secured the fact that I was going to have to update the blog. I was damned either way. If I didn’t post I would be forever branded with the title of the slug husband that can’t string two words together … and well If I did (which I am) then she wins and gets me to update the blog. Ultimately though, I brought it on myself when I offhandedly commented that “maybe while you’re away I’ll make a few posts on your blogs”. I should have known something was up when she whipped out her handy dandy notebook and scribbled a few notes after my comment.
The second thing I would like to say here is that this past week I’ve had this hard to pinpoint feeling that I was dredging up an experience from my teen years. This morning it hit me. Andrea’s blog is analogous to a parent giving up the car keys to their teenage son. The past couple weeks I’ve been peppered with comments about taking care of the blog…make sure you do this…here’s how to log on … if you want to add a photo…here’s how you do this. I’ve been expecting her to say “and make sure you post by 11 ! and don’t link to any scenic routes. Go straight to the home page”. Oddly, she evened used the phrase “hand over the keys” in her last blog post adding credence to my theory. Don’t worry. I’ll take goooood care of the fishbowl and I’ll do my best not to alienate anyone.
It’s only been 24 hours since Andrea left the house and there really isn’t much to report. The kids are happily watching “Word Girl” on TV. Dad has delivered the bananas with his best monkey impersonation (why is it when you do one funny thing with your kids they demand it at every waking moment) and this afternoon we have a movie date. Tonight it’s going down to -26 celsius and Andrea will be basking in plus 31 heat. If you’re reading this Andrea (and I know that you can’t help yourself) enjoy your week and don’t worry about us. Everything is under control and I promise not to exceed the speed limit with your blog.
Thanks to everyone who posted topics for Mark to blog about. You guys crack me up.
I just talked to him on the phone about your suggestions.
“Let’s get this clear,” he said. “I’m writing about me, not about YOU.” lol
I think he thinks I don’t write enough about him here. :)
I hope you understand that he is under no obligation to admit how much TV, Wii-play or nougat-bar eating is actually happening while I’m away.
I am also interested in what he has to write about, but I have promised to keep my nose out of the blog while I’m gone. We’ve agreed that it’s going to be MARK’s domain until the 28th. At which point he’ll be asked to hand over the keys again. It’ll be tough to stay away.
So. Random.org helped me choose who gets the prize, and I’m happy to report that it’s Jen_nifer. Congrats! Send me your mailing address and let me know which book you’re interested in. I’ll pop in the mail over to you when I return.
Phew.
I have been striking things off The List That’s Keeping Me Sane.
– trip to the pharmacy? Check! I needed to get some things including, ahem, Immodium because I am really really really afraid of spending my entire holiday locked in the W.C.
– my watch spontaneously repaired itself – Check!
– my camera battery is charging – Check!
– I suspended my gym membership – Check!
I am almost packed. I have been researching bus service between Kingston and Montego Bay. And I found out that we’re going to be visiting Dunn’s River Falls which I am really excited about.
My mother emailed to tell me that I shouldn’t forget to wear sunscreen while I’m down there. MOM, I AM 35 YEARS OLD. I KNOW ABOUT SUNSCREEN.
Anyway. Yes. So I guess this is it. I’ll see you when I get back. Oh, there’ll be stories to tell. I can’t wait.
Hugs and kisses,
 andrea
