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Ponzi Pulls a Maryam

Since Ponzi took the gloves off, I should likely sit back and let her roll over me without offering a bit of personal perspective on the situation. Being stupid, I'm actually going to claim that I have every right to my personal feelings and expressions. This, in any kind of relationship, is a bold move by the male. In a nutshell:

  1. I very much dislike warmer climates. I don't like to get hot, sweaty, and/or hot and sweaty. If I'm uncomfortable, I'm uncomfortable – and I very often make the mistake of stating that I'm uncomfortable.
  2. I don't like to swim. I don't like the beach. Could be due to the multitude of ear infections I had as a child, with that painful condition further exacerbated by swimming pools and lakes. To keep myself from having problems, I avoid dunking my head at all costs. This is a problem for Ponzi – who believes that my head will be “fine.” History has proven otherwise, but she remains unsympathetic to my ears.
  3. I don't like flying. When I do fly, my ears go wonky – and it takes me a few days to recover. I can't hear perfectly well, and need people to speak louder than normal. Ponzi doesn't understand that when I ask her to repeat something, I'm not questioning what she said – but asking for a clarification. WHEN I CAN'T HEAR, I CAN'T HEAR! Mumbling into a purse doesn't help.
  4. I do believe that spas are filled with a lot of overpriced hoo-ha.
  5. I'm a coffee snob.
  6. I get headaches on long drives.
  7. I traveled a lot when I was a kid, and feel that's somehow taken away from traveling as an adult. It's not as novel as it might be for someone who, say, didn't travel a lot as a kid.
  8. If I had a choice, I'd be in a cooler climate – like Alaska.
  9. I felt out of control when I was snorkeling – uncoordinated, and imbalanced. If you ask Ponzi, she felt the same thing after trying it – though I was “smart” enough to predict what would happen with my fins in the water. My mistake was not in trying it, but in predicting what would happen based on my own past experiences. Self-fulfilling prophecy, or wisdom?
  10. I don't like getting scrubbed down by anybody. In the spa, they took you into a room where another guy scrubbed you down (females were scrubbed by females, naturally). I wasn't completely naked, but I certainly felt this way. Ponzi wants to be pampered, but I was uncomfortable on the table in my underwear. I would have been equally uncomfortable in the presence of anybody other than Ponzi.
  11. I'm used to being frugal. Ponzi is not. We take extremes.
  12. If I wanna open a mouth full of chewed food when someone is shoving a video camera in my face asking for commentary, it's my perogative. Just as it's anybody else's perogative to use the camera, it's my decision to do with my mouth whatever I see fit.
  13. Few digital cameras take good night shots. Because of the way I explained the different features of our cameras, Ponzi took this as a personal slight. Not sure how that happened, but I think it boils down to her wanting the same thing I have (all the time), even though her needs are different from mine – a fact which she reminds me of on a regular basis, actually.

Well, at least I didn't go down without explaining myself first. :) Not sure if Scoble has ever tried to explain himself after Maryam divulged his shortcomings. This is better than reality television, ain't it?

31 Comments

Since you two dared to share such personal information, but she's a, uhm, she, so it's *understandable*.. here you have it:
Pussy
LOL

Suck it up, make up (i.e., apologize for being an unreasonable ass). Take the next two days and turn off the PC (stop blogging). Go out, find some place secluded and enjoy the make up sex.
- Corey

Wow, reading through your 13 points was like reading about myself… well, except for points 4, 10, and 11 ;-)
That said, I read Ponzi's post as well, and I do feel for her. Hope you guys enjoy the rest of your vacation!

Obviously she picked the vacation, since it has everything you dislike. Since you agreed to go you could at least show the class and love to make it an enjoyable experience for her. Who knows, with that kind of attitude you might end up enjoying yourself! (gasp!)

Not sure all the points, but surely on the points about your ears, simply using ear plugs would have solved this problem (I have had ear problems and know it aint fun, but wouldn't stop my wife going swimming, etc for them). Hell, my son has ear trouble as well and the doctor suggested Blutac (a slightly sticky putty used to hang things on walls (not sure if it is an international thing or just available in Australia as that name)) in the ears to stop the water going in.
Could I also suggest that the problem might be that you have problems with all these things or even that they may suck when you do them but that you precomplain about them. Perhaps, for the next day or so, you should try really hard not to precomplain about anything. If you feel like complaining, grin, and bare it and then after the fact you can judge the experience.
Hey you never know, you might like Green Eggs and ham, Chris I am!
Molly
http://www.mollyzine.com

Regarding item #11- you are not the only who has complained about Ponzi's lack of frugality. I heard from a good source that she loves to spend money- especially if it's someone else's.
As for you, you are quite the curmudgeon. Maybe you guys need a few cocktails to loosen things up a bit work things out, and try to have some fun together.
Although you guys are both bent out of shape with each other, I admire both of your posts- refreshingly honest and heartfelt for once. (Vs. the “we are so perfect for each other- everything is hearts and flowers” bullshit.)

Oooh…an online brawl! I can't wait to see the Flickr photos!

No Blutac isn't just an australian thing… We have it here in the UK too…
Abdul

you had it comin'!

You remind me of Kyle's asthmatic, intensely jewish, whiney cousin Kyle from South Park.

:: jozjozjoz.com ::

November 20th, 2005
at 11:48pm

FWIW, I hope you two make up and enjoy the rest of your trip!

Hello,
I can certainly understand how ear problems contribute to a negative vacation experience. It would probably be a good idea to visit your otolaryngologist when you get back, especially if you haven't had a check-up in several years, just in case the symptoms you are experiencing have an underlying pathology.
Before you fly back, you may wish to pick up a pair of EarPlanes to wear on the flight out (Check the local drugstore first; they'll presumably be more expensive at the airport.). These seem to help me with pressure changes when flying, perhaps they will work for you as well.
Regards,
Aryeh Goretsky

Maybe Ponzi has seen the real Chris and will bale out of the relationship … Marriage changes nothing and I hope she realizes that she isn't your mother with benefits and leaves your whinney butt…
Ponzi seems to be pretty cool … you seem to bitch a lot…
Ponzi is a babe … you are a nerd looking geek
I hope you can change for your own sake …

Man, I'll bet your Dad pulled the car over to the side of the road A LOT when you were a kid.

I should fess up. I hate COLD and sand. All sand does is keep reminding me why they use it to make sandpaper.
( I can see the flight home now…
“Stewardess, she's touching me again!”)

this smells like another one of chris' “attention whore” schemes. what's the matter? g4tv not ringing your phone off the hook trying to get you to come back. LOL.

what a frikkin' wuss you are !

Chris,
You're being an unmitigated, full-on dickhead. Open your eyes, dude. Your behaviour re-defines selfish.
Realize that the world consists of entities other than yourself and that you're taking Ponzi for granted, dude.
You should check yourself before you wreck yourself, honestly. She's seems nice enough to put up with you, so take the time to self-evaluate.
Christ, man! Quit whining and enjoy yourself. You're in Maui with a playboy-caliber girlfriend. Hellloo!!!!???

Hi Chris,
Finally you get to see Ponzi for what she really is…a huge bitch. It's time to dump her and move on. You are way too good for her!! I've been wondering how long it would take for you to realize it.

Charlie On the Pennsylvania Turnpike

November 21st, 2005
at 11:31am

This from a man married 15 years.
#1: You admit you make the mistake of stating your discomfort. This is something you can work on. Combined with #8, we can all guess you'll pick next year's vacation spot.
#3 sounds as if itÂ’s inspired by #2, and is quite logical.
#9 is Wisdom, inspired by the very practical experiences of #2
#6 falls into #7. 7 is part of life with a mate, and is something you both work on. Unless you want to vacay in your own neighborhood, you deal with it on the times you do go far.
#4 and #10: Agree and Agree. Let her enjoy the pampering. My idea of pampering involves a bar stool and some adult beverages; your mileage may vary, but whatever pampers you, indulge yourself while she does the same.
#12: Having never been in that position, I can't address it from my experience. However, being the public persona that you are, I think taking defensive measures to protect your privacy is reasonable. Heck, you're not breaking their camera, like others might.
#5 sounds like a negotiable point; I would wager you would be considerably flexible here if she would consider your positions on the above issues.
#13: Jump ball… Perhaps your descriptions were too impersonal. As in #5, if she had considered your positions on these other issues, perhaps your mood (and this description) may have been softer.

Dude,
What on earth posessed you to post this?
“Yes dear, I'm sorry for being such a dickhead” goes a very long way. I have gotten so much mileage out of this it's frightening. Take a note on that one.
Sounds like you wanted a fight. Sounds like you've got one now.
Idiot

Chris: TURN OFF THE COMPUTER AND GO SNORKLEING.
Or, at least order some of those drinks with the little umbrella's in them. ;-)
Hope you work it out.
And don't give Maryam anymore ammunition! We leave for Europe on Wednesday!

Good to see you've stopped sobbing – it's a good start .But when r u back to business? We are waiting to hear what's new in the world.

You've already screwed up one relationship with a beautiful woman and you're about to do it again.
Quit your bitching and be a MAN for once in your life.

I'm right there with you #s 1-13. Plus I hate sand and burn very easily. And my wife loves the beach, so I know how you feel.
Now stop whining, kill the passive aggressive fucktardness, and suck it up.
I mean seriously, I've been there, I've done exactly what you're doing, and you know very well that you are perfectly capable of just dropping all the complaining and dealing with your personal and medical issues on your own, quietly. Not oh-woe-is-me suffering in silence but nobly bearing up under discomfort.
Isn't she worth the sacrifice? Can't you do this for her, to make her happy?

Dude, every one of your statements starts with “I”. How about considering a “we” for a moment? I can't think of anything more miserable than being in paradise with someone I love and knowing they're having a terrible time. Can't you pull out some positives?
Having listened to your podcasts with Ponzi, she sounds like a really special woman who deserves at least that much. Try and make it about her for awhile and you'll find that you'll have a much better time.

All I can say is… seems like you both deserve each other. May you both continue to bitch publicly about each other, avoid counseling, and continue baring your dirty laundry in public in general. Sounds like a GREAT way to strengthen a relationship.
Oh, and yeah, when traveling… make sure to spend LOTS of time in front of a computer. Especially a wireless connection on the beach.

Chris, here's a piece of advice that has helped me with my marriage … “Happy Wife, Happy Life”. Be a man, suck it up, and apologize for being an ass.

Please – make this the last public fight, no more stupid cartoons, no more junior-high clipart-laden websites, no more podcasts or movies with you and the missus squabbling… I can't take it anymore!

Chris,
Private counseling might save a relationship….public bickering will only entertain those who are as selfish, immature, whiney, egocentric and self-aggrandizing as you are. Mabe you should wait until you grow up before you attempt another “serious” relationship

it takes the two of you to “BLOG” about your problems and y'all don't TALK TO ONE ANOTHER … this is sick … typica behavier of this day and age. I know I am self centered and egotistical … I also prefer to be single so things like this never happen! Bug

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