Journal

by Marinka on March 13, 2013

First of all, thank you all for your support and wisdom on my last post. Your words really helped me, and the gifts (that I assume are on their way) won’t hurt either. I am very thankful for everyone who reads what I write and is able to relate, respond and encourage me. My favorite gemstone is ruby. Also, I don’t like floral prints. Just making light conversation. Do with it what you will.

Second, after I wrote that post about respecting my children’s privacy, I decided to read my son’s journal. In my defense, I had no idea that it was his journal and his subsequent protestations of “it says JOURNAL on the cover, mom” are neither here nor there. As far as I’m concerned, it was a marbled notebook that was with his school books, so my perusing it fell under “parental review of academic matters because I am a concerned mother and this seems easier than looking through the math stuff and besides it has fewer numbers.”

So I opened the journal and read this first sentence.

“My name is _____ and so many people annoy me.”

I loved that sentence so much (and yes, he had written his name, but I edited it out, because I enjoy censorship.) I loved that sentence so much because it is like Melville’s “Call me Ishamael” but better. (Disclaimer: I could be biased.) I also loved that sentence because I did not know that the second sentence would list the people who annoyed him, featuring the person who gave him life, love and high cheekbones. I also didn’t know that the list would omit, for reasons that are completely baffling, Dad. Hey, is it me, or is the list of stuff I didn’t know pretty substantial?

“What’s with this list of annoying people?” I asked my kid when he walked into his room like he owned the place.

“Yeah, so?” he asked.

“Well, why am I on it?” I wanted to know. “And more importantly, why isn’t your father on it?”

He shrugged. “Maybe because Dad doesn’t read my journal and you do?”

I didn’t say anything because he hadn’t read me my Miranda warning and I’ve seen enough Law & Order to know how that turns out. But I did communicate with my eyes which I opened extra wide to indicate that I was upset and/or could be a stand-in for Elmo if only I’d grow some red fur.

Later, I brought this up with Husbandrinka.

“Don’t you think it’s weird that he finds me annoying but not you?” I asked him.

“No, I really don’t,” he said. “I think you’ll find that most people feel that way.”

Sigh.

Looks like I’ll have to read Most People’s Journals to confirm this.

______________________

In other news, I can’t stop watching it. Although one of my kids said “you know it’s not real, right?” I love how they worry about me!

One year ago ...

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{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }

suburbancorrespondent
Twitter:
March 13, 2013 at 8:40 am

There are some things that it is just better not to know. Take heart, however – I think it is fairly normal for a kid his age to be annoyed by his mother. I know my Anna was annoyed every time she interacted with me – say, like, when I breathed the same air as she did.

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Marinka March 13, 2013 at 8:54 am

wait, you dared breathe in her presence?! Rookie move, mom.

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dusty earth mother March 13, 2013 at 10:30 am

Just cracking up. If it makes you feel better, you don’t annoy me, but your husband does. Even though I’ve never met him.

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Gdot March 13, 2013 at 11:00 am

Just hope he doesn’t misspell ‘monster’
In his essay about you.
Not that it’s happened to me or anything.

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Loukia March 13, 2013 at 11:30 am

I can’t tell you how much I love you. I’m sorry the only way I knew how to show you was to keep you up all night… 😉 xo

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christy March 13, 2013 at 12:04 pm

So so funny!!!

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joeinvegas March 13, 2013 at 1:12 pm

Yea Mom!

I too talk to my animals. I’m kind of glad that mine don’t talk back, at least in English.

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Steph March 13, 2013 at 2:09 pm

I will read you as long as you write. Whether you are motherhoodinnyc or marinkainnyc or whatever you choose.

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anna see March 13, 2013 at 5:14 pm

I’m w/ Dusty. Your husband annoys the hell out of me!

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Mexmom March 13, 2013 at 5:51 pm

Love his answer: “Maybe because Dad doesn’t read my journal and you do?”

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Momo Fali
Twitter:
March 13, 2013 at 7:02 pm

If you gave ME high cheekbones, I would never put you on a list of annoying people…or buy you anything floral.

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Marta
Twitter:
March 13, 2013 at 7:06 pm

LOFL. I love it. You can read my journal anytime, it’s called my blog, I have yet to do a post on people who annoy me but I feel like its in my future. And don’t worry you won’t be on my list.

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Suzy
Twitter:
March 13, 2013 at 8:19 pm

WHERE IS THE BOOK OF YOUR LIFE?
That’s why you’re on my list of people who annoy me: you’re hilarious, you’re a great writer and there is no book.

Consider yourself warned I won’t put up with this forever.

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Roshni March 15, 2013 at 12:44 am

I’m so with you on this one, Suzy!!

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Suzy
Twitter:
March 13, 2013 at 8:21 pm

I just Liked my own comment because I’m right. Also, lonely.

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Cy
Twitter:
March 14, 2013 at 6:20 pm

SUZY! I liked your comment before I even knew it was from you! Because I completely agree with you> WHERE’S THE BOOK, MARINKA?

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JK March 13, 2013 at 9:18 pm

Love the dog. Whaddaya mean it’s not real? Next you’ll be talking smack about the tooth fairy and Santa. BTW, although I never met him, I think Husbandrinka is annoying. No good husband would say such things. And live.

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Lady Jennie March 15, 2013 at 12:02 pm

I’m chuckling over here. Husbandrinka has no sensibility.

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Gretchen March 15, 2013 at 1:54 pm

I’m afraid that a certain amount of ignorance is good for our self-esteem. I think that everyone likes me and always enjoys my company, and I intend to keep thinking that forever.

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anymommy March 15, 2013 at 10:47 pm

Well, at least he inherited your sense of humor? Awesomely funny.

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grandemocha
Twitter:
March 17, 2013 at 9:03 am

Did Awesome Dude make the list? Also, I think your son is very much like you. Make a list of people who annoy you & see how many people are on both lists.

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C Smith March 17, 2013 at 3:55 pm

I never restrain myself when it comes to talking about my kids in person or online. I grew them, birthed them and put a heck of a lot of work into them and I figure I should get back more than a lot of crappy, um, I mean lovely Mother’s Day gifts. Besides, I don’t really believe that in the future my kids are going to be looking back at what I wrote and be angry or humiliated. And even if they are it will give them ammo to use against their own kids in the ” I’m a great parent and you have it so much better than I did as a child” game.

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the mama bird diaries
Twitter:
March 17, 2013 at 9:37 pm

I had something very important to say about you not be annoying at all but now I’m laughing my ass off over that dog video.

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