I think I'm married. Paul continues to turn up after late nights finishing his office renovation. We haven't been away together alone since 2000. It's been a hard several months, so we really do need to have some time together. Alone.
So I was thrilled when Paul asked me if I would go with him on a week-long cruise to the Bahamas (I've never been there so it's time I went) on the Norwegian Majesty (pictured). The thing I love about cruises is that you absolutely have to unplug. You have to relax whether you want to or not. No Internet. No news (except what they let dribble through the room TV). No phone. (Yes, you can get these things but they cost extra and I really don't want them -- I'd pay not to have them for a week.) No man sitting at family supper using his laptop. A romantic week alone -- we've never needed it so badly.
And the price of cruises right now is almost less expensive than staying at home! Go look. I wonder for that price if we're supposed to bring our own sheets, towels and food?
Saintly Brother and his almost saintly wife have agreed to let Lily stay with them. I'm all set for our romantic cruise at the end of January. Time alone. What will that be like?
Then we have this conversation:
Paul: It's all set and Mark can go.
(Note: Mark is Paul's favorite client. I like him, too, and we have vacationed together before.)
Me: Mark can go where?
Paul: On the cruise with us.
Me: But I thought it was a romantic get away for just the two of us!?!
Paul: This way I can expense the trip.
He had already invited Mark! On our romantic cruise! Without asking/telling me!
Me: But then it's not a romantic trip with just the two of us.
Paul: We'll have a private room. I thought you liked Mark.
Me: Yes, but that changes everything!
I'm not sure that Paul every really understood the problem I had with this because to him it was just such a good idea -- bring a fun client and expense the whole thing. But to his credit, he re-arranged things and will be taking Mark on a later trip.
There is such a thing as being too frugal.
This is so awful it's funny. But we will have fun. Paul is cheap, but he is fun.
Merry Christmas!
Oh my my ... I don't know whether to laugh helplessly or congratulate you on his at least pandering to your way of seeing it rather than holding fast to his own.
I know I'm financially ignorant, but how can it be a very much better thing to expense a trip to your own company than to pay for it yourself?
I hope you have a totally. Wonderful. Time. And merry Christmas, my friend Anne.
Posted by: Anwyn | December 25, 2008 at 10:09 PM
Man, that's like all of the "before" examples from those better marriage books.
I can just imagine the perplexed look on his face as he just doesn't understnad why you are SOOOO upset?!
At least he clued in there towards the end.
As a guy, I think I feel justified in saying:
"DUDE!?!"
Posted by: Steve B | December 30, 2008 at 04:51 AM
Hahahahahahahahahahaha!
That's great!
Posted by: groovyoldlady | January 12, 2009 at 01:49 PM