When Gary first mentioned Paris, I tempered my reaction. I was prepared for his mind to change. After I quizzed him a few times, he seemed stable, so I mentioned it to you all.
Then, I brought home a French phrasebook to gauge his reaction. He responded favorably, in fact he suggested we speak nothing but French at home for a weekend in the future.
That made me confident enough to look at plane fares. (Amazingly cheap.)
Gary even told his family, and they were surprised and puzzled but accepting.
I looked at hotel prices.
Last weekend, Gary went to visit his parents, and when he came back said, “I think we should re-think this Paris thing.”
Again, I tempered my reaction. “Well, that’s interesting.What made you change your mind?”
“Terrorists, you know, and the volcano, and the oil spill.”
I was prepared to say reasonably, “Well, whatever you want, hon, it’s your anniversary too,” but – “OIL SPILL?”
“I dont know, it just seems like an omen.”
“What did your Mom say to you?”
“Nothing, it just doesn’t seem like the year to visit Paris. We can go later. How about Alaska? Or the Grand Canyon?” (The Grand Canyon, or as Steve at work described it, “A hole. Versus Paris.” — Weighs imaginary choices in hands– “Hole. Paris.”)
So, I priced Alaskan cruises, and found a nice hotel on Vancouver Island, and the next day Gary came home and said,
“So, how do you feel about Alaska? Would you rather go to Alaska or Pa-“
“Paris.”
So that’s where it stands. Sure, it sounds great having the chance to go to Alaska or Paris. Well, not so much when your husband likes to make his decisions by talking himself out of them.
I am married to Petruchio.
18 responses to “We’ll Always Have Paris. Maybe. No We Won’t. Or Maybe Not. (?)”
Thank you, Ellen. My desktop image is now an aerial photo of an alpaca in the back seat of a Fit.
I needed to do the background reading.
So… um… Alaska doesn’t sound like a bad vacation if it goes that way. I see either of your options here being better than the whole Prius/Fit thing.
If I was buying a non-Mini small car, it’d be a Beetle.
Don’t mind the swears here but:FUCKING ELLEN FUCKING GARY GODDAMNIT COME ON!!! IF YOU CAN FUCKING ACTUALLY FUCKING GO TO GODDAMN PARIS FUCKING GO YOU OLD BASTARD FUDDY DUDDIES!!CHRIST!!BECAUSE HERE I SIT ALL SALIVATING JEALOUS LIKE BECAUSE IT WILL BE AT LEAST 10 FUCKING YEARS BEFORE WE CAN THINK ABOUT GOING TO PARIS!!and o my GAWD!!! PARIS!!!! FUCKING GO WHILE YOU CAN!!don’t make me bust out the whoop ass stick.
For crying out loud! Go to Paris!
You want signs to not go someplace on vacation? How about having the economy of the country you want to visit basically implode? Yeah, so Greece is off the table for this year. But back to your travel plans….it’s not really a debate is it? Paris. I’m sure Alaska is breathtaking and Vancouver is a lovely (an amazingly clean!) city but it’s just not in the same league as Paris. Or Italy. What about Italy?
I know you love him, but screw him, go to Paris on your own. I sure as heck would in a heartbeat, and in fact did take off to England on my own when the x drug his feet.
People, people –
I am not undecided! I am headed for Paris. It’s the Other Half who doesn’t like to commit… Sympathy!
I may have to start calling you Heartless Cows. But of course I realize having a man dangle Paris in front of you and then snatch it away is the ultimate first world problem. Have no fear, I am going even if it means feigning a midlife lesbian switch and going on a gay tour.
Wait?!? Midlife lesbian switch? Is that like a midlife crisis without the car but with comfortable shoes? Given my current boy situation; this may actually be something to look forward to!
Tami – It is a good image, isnt it?Mrs Hall – But I want to go to Paris!Hattie- I want to!Gayle – Well, I can bet you money that if we are headed to Paris, one week before he will want to cancel all plans and go to Italy instead.Zayrina – I made it clear he was the bag carrier on our trip to England, and he had no say, but this is an anniversary trip, so he does have say in this one.Amy_in_Stl – I know my favorite lesbian might be listening, so I was careful to say “feigned” as I know she would jump in with “it is not a choice” if I suggested it was.
GARY:
You are not allowed to waffle on this. NOT. En. Oh. Tea. NOT. You cannot dangle Paris in front of a woman of a certain age at an anniversary of a certain age and then WITHDRAW it.
That’s about as much fun as withdrawing…well…anything.
Paris, dammit, Gary, Paris!
THEN FUCKING GO WITH OUR WITHOUT HIM!
there. I said it!
Becs – not ten minutes ago he said “so when we go to Paris, Alaska, whatever,” I said, “Make a decision. And make that decision be Paris.”Mrs Hall – any other vacation I would go w/out him (see BNL cruise 2008) but because this is specifically an anniversary vacation, can I really celebrate without him? Well, I could hold hands and order pizza like I think we plan to do on our actual wedding date, and then disengage Paris from anniversary. All – Gary came home and said, “I think we should go to Italy!” (pause) “Your commenters were fiesty!”
For heavens sake! Just think how many people have flown to Paris and had the holiday of their lives while Gary’s been dithering LIKE AN OLD LADY.
Tell him to man up and go, dammit.
I won’t command you to go to Paris, but man oh man I hope you do. I thought about going for my birthday this year, because it’s a BIG one, but talked myself out of it. Please let me enjoy Paris vicariously through you.
I spent our 10th anniversary in Hawaii while the hubby was at home taking care of our 4 year old. It was a work trip, though, so not exactly a vacation I paid for and took without him.No matter what you do for the anniversary trip, the Cows in Vegas tour will have to include a visit to the Paris casino.
We’re going to Vegas? Vegas, baby! Is male prostitution legal there?
Gary, plate tectonics, religious extremism, and oil company decision-making disasters aren’t “omens”. For the love of Christ, take your wife to Paris while two of you can enjoy it.
Big Dot- Passing that along …Kristie – Don’t talk yourself out of it. I went to London on a minor birthday (32?) and I don’t regret it. It was a long year of saving for it, though.Caroline – Its right across from the Bellagio!Becs – If I indeed pass my big test there will be a Vegas weekend!3 – I will pass the message on …