Saturday, April 22, 2006

BLOCKED

It has been 10 days since my last post. I think that may be a record since I began blogging (for real) in December.

I'm blocked.

And I don't mean constipated.

I mostly like to write stories.

I don't like to write about what I did today, or rant too much...I really enjoy the challenge of turning a feeling, a thought, a memory, or an experience...into a full fledged story.

So what does one do, when one is blocked?

I decided the only route, is to fill you in on a few things that took place this week. We'll just have to see where that takes me.

Today, we all got new cell phones. (Hence, the picture of Ernestine the operator. Phones... operator...you get the idea).

This was quite an ordeal. Enough decision making was involved to make one's head spin right off of one's neck.

Should we get phones with or without cameras. With or without a speaker. With or without game upload abilility. With or without video capability. Text messaging or not.

We finally decided on purchasing one phone that allowed us to get 3 more for free (of course free means, they pretend it's a phone worth $200 and then charge you the tax on that amount). But still a pretty good deal, I suppose.

It's funny how different things are today from when I was a kid. We had one phone line. I know for sure, that one of the 3 phones we had in the house, was a lovely shade of avocado green. I had to beg and cajole my way into getting my own phone line upon entering teenhood.

Today it seems, that every teen has their own phone, with a camera and internet access to boot.

Is this really a good thing? I suppose, in the long-run it is. We can find our children anywhere, anytime...isn't that great? But for whom? (or is it *who*...always confuse those two). Certainly not our children.

When we were 17 and going on a date, the boy picked you up, met the parents, and off we went. Of course, we had a curfew, and hopefully came home on time.
But did we ever talk to our parents during the date?

HELL NO!!!

Too bad for our kids...cause now we can track them down anywhere, anytime. And...we do!
But at what cost? And I don't mean monetarily speaking. I mean emotionally and psychologically. Is it really good for our children's growth to be calling and checking up on them?

I know it relieves my stress levels...but are they learning to make decisions and be independent if parents are always on their backs? Food for thought.

Another event that took place this week, was the anniversary of my marriage to Mr. Cruisin. Twenty one years is a long time to be with one person, don't you think? And no easy feat in this climate of divorce and affairs.

Someone asked me the other day, what our secret to a long marriage was. That's an easy one for me...

Marry someone you like. Marry someone with similar values. Marry someone who makes you laugh and thinks you're funny. Have a husband that accepts you even when you're going nuts.

But here's the most important one of all, that no one ever tells you. Marry a man who can fix things. This will keep him too busy and tired to ever want to even explore the idea of having an
affair, let alone actually having one. And let me tell you, when you start watching everything on your 50 year old body heading "south"...this is a good trick to have up your sleeve. That's the real reason "honey-do" lists were invented.

If you want to know how I feel about my husband of 21 years...you can read here. That post pretty much sums it up.

I bought myself two skirts on Friday. They are long and crinkly. One is black, and one is white. I figure this will get me through every season. And it's the only way Robert Avrech will allow me back into the lovely lecture/brunch he has annually, to honor his son, Ariel. Since I mostly love wearing my blue jeans...I guess you could say that welcoming two new skirts into my wardrobe was a move out of my comfort zone.

Ace was given the boot on American Idol this week. I suppose he deserved it. Pulling the hair back was not a good strategy.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Taylor. He is completely full of joy, and exudes it all over the television screen. And although Catherine has an amazing voice and should probably win...Taylor should at least come in second.

Well, that's all I have to say.
I feel a little less blocked now.
Thanks for listening.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey, I understand: the best way to overcome writer's block (blog?) is just...to write. Seems like it turned out really well for you.

(...and there were no tears on our household when Ace was booted.)

Ezzie said...

I'm about a month behind on AI, but it looks like I was right about the order everyone would get dumped save Mandisa while I was gone...

It's funny, because this is how I started writing about my own life as well - because I was stuck one day. Now, I seem to do it more often than politics, Israel, and the like. Ah well!

And, don't call your kids, unless it's *really* late and you have a real reason to be worried. Otherwise, let kids be kids. They'll respect you more, and probably behave better.

torontopearl said...

Randi, just look at Ezzie, the new daddy, telling you how to raise your kids...! Harrumph. (Ezzie, I'm just teasing, you know; and I just wanted to have a way to use Harrumph!)

Happy anniversary and many many more -- I like your take on marriage, and why there's no time for hubby to have an affair. So tell us, if he runs out of things to fix, do you break some more things on purpose just to keep hubby busy?

Ezzie said...

Pearl - Ha! [But just to clarify, I was speaking from the KID'S perspective. Because I'm still 22 :P ]

Anonymous said...

Mazal Tov on 21 years!! We are coming up on 10 and can't believe how fast it went. It is not just a milestone; it is hard work - I think there should be some sort of a trophy with each milestone. God knows we deserve SOMETHING :-) Perhaps when we all hit 50 years we should get the Stanley Cup (a really huge trophy for those non-sports fans). 21 years is a huge accomplishment! Celebrate!

Ezzie: I agree with you, some freedom is good (within reason, of course!) but I am going to say that I am well into my 30's and my mother STILL calls me just to find out where I am. But at 30 something I don't have to answer!

Love Ya Mom . . .
;-)

cruisin-mom said...

stshores: Thanks, I know people say that (to just write) but it's not always that easy for me...I need to feel inspired by something, a thought, a feeling...and then it just seems to flow.
I loved Ace in the beginning (of course because he was cute, she said shallowly). But his talent (or lack there of) did not hold up.

Ezzie: Yay, you're back...I missed you! And, I'm working on the phone call thing...I appreciate your advice

T.P.: Unfortunately things seem to break around here faster than Mr. Cruisin can even get to them...so, no need to break things (although I'll keep that strategy in mind!)

E.K.: Yes, 10 years is an accomplishment...and yes, it does go fast. (We went out for an amazing meal last night, which is a celebration for us, since we are usually content with In and Out Burger!)
I'm 50 and my mother still calls to check up on me...so I guess it never ends, does it?!

... Is the Window to Our Soul said...

I must be in real trouble because my hubby can't fix nada. Congrats on your anniversary!

... Is the Window to Our Soul said...

Oh and Randi, are those jeans low rise, mid rise, flare, bootleg cut, button up??? And don't even get me started on asking what shoes you wear with them! ; )

Regina said...

Happy Anniversary, CM! Sorry I am late! Hubby and I will be celebrating our 20th this year and we plan to go to Vegas! Woo hoo! Elvis here we come!

cruisin-mom said...

S.T.: thanks for the good wishes. Guess you'll have to find other ways to keep your husband busy!
Okay...jeans: well the best are button fly...the gap had great ones that I can't seem to find anymore.
I like a mid-rise...not too low (a bit too old for that)...boot cut I guess (don't go for the straight leg)
Hmmmm, shoes? Well, of course, longer jeans with heels, short ones with moccasins or tennis shoes.
Is that enough detail for you?! ;)
How about you?

RCJ: Vegas?...good for you, you'll have a blast!

wanderer said...

Taylor? Naw. I think its going to be Chris, though I agree Taylor is fun. Katharine getting annoying. Love Elliot, but as I've said before he has a face for radio... Gotta get rid of Pickler. Paris is alright, but she doesn't have that star quality. Bottom line - it'll be Taylor and either Chris or Katharine at the end, and then basically it'll be a popularity contest. I'd like to see Chris win, cuz he rocks - different than previous bubble gum Idols.

cruisin-mom said...

Hi Wanderer: have missed you during the holidays.
You're right about Chris...he is really good (my bad, I forgot about him).
Pickler, dare I say, is not the sharpest tool in the shed, poor thing.
Elliot: Nice guy, but I don't think his voice is that great. Paris: just too young and trying too hard.
I think Katherine has a beautiful voice. But I think it would be kind of cool if it came down to Taylor and Chris.
okay, now I need to go get a life :)

... Is the Window to Our Soul said...

Oh, Stacey London would be very impressed!

Stacey said...

Congrats on your anniversary. It sounds like you have a great marriage!

I love those long, crinkly skirts. Enjoy!!

cruisin-mom said...

S.T.: I love Stacy and Clinton/What Not To Wear. The best thing about that show, as opposed to other make-over shows, is they actually teach you "how" to dress for your body. I wish someone would turn me in to them...lol

Stacey: Thanks and welcome home!

H.O.H.: with your sense of humor...don't worry, you'll make it to 21 and more.
I love your "honey" description...thanks!

PsychoToddler said...

Happy anniversary, CM. Me and Mrs. B are coming up on 19 ourselves.

I think too many people have cell phones now, and talk on them incessantly. It makes me angry to see people driving on the road carelessly while they yak away about some banality, oblivious to me trying to make a turn, or blabbing as they shop in the grocery or stand behind me in line. Ugh.

I remember when cell phones were so expensive you only used them for emergencies. Or to call the hospital.

OTOH, having a daughter in NY now, it is mui convenient for her to have a phone on her body at all times.

cruisin-mom said...

P.T.: congrats on 19 (you've been much busier though, you have waaay more kids than I do)
I agree about cell phones, although I am guilty once in a while of talking and driving (with an earpiece, is that better?). But yes, I love the people yelling into their cell phones while in line at costco, keeping the checkout person waiting. That's nerve!
I think it has become a sociological sickness!

Anonymous said...

Hi! Thanks for coming by my site and leaving some comments- Hope you enjoyed what you read.

You certainly packed a lot of topics in that one post- marriage, kids, constipation(creative) and I must say that I'm envious- for being blocked in your writing you seem to have been able to overcome it quite nicely.

Your commentary on the cell phones was dead on- so many of my students are attached to those things and by extension to their parents that I don't know how they will ever learn to make decisions on their own.

Mazel Tov on your anniversary! That's quite an accomplishment. May this anniversary be just a milestone on your way to 50!

cruisin-mom said...

Amishav: Thanks for coming here too! I've been enjoying your blog. I like your sense of humor and honesty. My dad was a school teacher (you can read my post about him if you want, written in Jan. "It was 40 years ago today").
so I'm partial to teachers...Thanks for your good wishes :)

Wendy said...

Happy Anniversary! I agree about the phones - not such a great thing, but also, a great thing. Yikes.
I strongly encourage my hub NOT to fix things. It becomes costly. But I don't worry about affairs. He's much too busy cooking.
Great way to overcome the block!

cruisin-mom said...

Wendy: I know a lot of women don't want their husband fixing things. He cooks? That's a good strategy too. ;)
Hey, whatever works, right?

cruisin-mom said...

Mia: and he's going to be a doctor...OY, every girl's dream guy!

cruisin-mom said...

Neil: LOL
Even blocked, I still have a big mouth.