Explaining, and freeing those precious minutes

[justall]

Not a technical discussion and likely covered to some degree before, but

I often get … “Why do you always want to go windsurfing during dinner?” or “You’re heading out now!?; don’t you know a storm is coming?” or “It’s Thursday, why can’t we lock down our museum plans this Saturday?” or “Is windsurfing more important than us?” Of course, if you are reading this forum, you know the answers to the above are: The sea breezes kick up in the late afternoon / early evening, prefrontal winds, according to iWindsurf Saturday *might* have great wind, and (I’m not going to say it), respectively.

Now, I try to explain the physics and the forecast, but I find this really doesn’t help much. Non-windsurfers really don’t quite understand (though after almost 20ys I think my wife finally does). I have found other, better ways to free the time for those precious minutes of perfect wind. Here are mine … I’d be interested to know what you use:

1) Hey, no lines no waiting at our favorite restaurant if we go for a late lunch / early dinner at 3:30pm! Let’s do that instead of going at dinner time. I really want to have time to talk with you without the noise of the crowds.
2) Storm? You know those forecasts are often wrong.
3) Hey, I just found a great exhibit that apparently is best to see on Sunday! Let’s lock that in instead, before its too late!
4) Well, of course not!

[johnl]

Simple for me. If it's summer, all plans are flexible. I make up for it during the winter. But summer in the Gorge is awesome. You just don't mess with it...

[isobars]

I can't help you guys, but maybe this will help folks who are still in the dating phase.

My wife and I both married someone who virtually never makes specific or scheduled demands of the other's time, so I don't need excuses. I do what I want, she does what she wants, and our wants coincide plenty of times. She skied, snowmobiled, desert raced, 4-wheeled, windsurfed, took Tae Kwan-do with or without me and she can "go to the museum" ... or to Ohio or Europe ... or get another graduate degree any time she wants, just as I could spend a few months at the Gorge or in Baja (which she would not enjoy beyond a week or two) when I want. In particular, neither of us would ever insist on a "command performance" by the other just because it's a Sunday or Christmas or a birthday or an anniversary; those are all artificial occurrences which can be tended to when it's convenient for both of us. We both understand that if either of us insisted, the other would comply, so it's not necessary for either of us to exercise that right just for a show of strength. That's worked since 1969, and isn't likely to change.

No accusations here, but in general, people shouldn't marry a princess (or a prince) thinking s/he's going to change AND unless that's what they want.

[justall]

It's much less the wife (when she sees the branches bend, she knows what's next) ... It is more other family and friends.

[nw30]

Well heck with them, if you're good with your wife, then you're golden.
Assuming that is, that she will stick up for you.
That's the lynch pin.

[MalibuGuru]

My wife plays tennis in the morning and I work in the morning. She works in the afternoon, I sail in the afternoon.

We hardly see each other......It's a wonderful marriage!!

[mrgybe]

Explaining dinner at 3:30pm is easy........Early Bird Special! She'll admire your frugality and may even forget the two grand you just dropped on new sails.....assuming you've told her!

[isobars]

[Mulekick84]

Your wife allowing you to leave any time you want is easily understood by the forum members.

[justall]

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