Monday, May 30, 2011

Chasing the SRE

out of the house is what I plan to do this week! I need to go out of town for a few days, and I prefer to travel when the SRE is also travelling. Since he travels so often, it should not be too difficult to synchronize our travel plans. So, last week our separate itineraries were made, and we were supposed to be returning to Kolkata on the same flight this Saturday. But the powers-that-be decided that this was way too simple, and the SRE was asked to cancel his visits to distant towns.
Long years ago, every summer would see the kids and I leaving the man for a couple of weeks at least, visiting grandparents in different towns. At the time, the SRE was mostly resident, his sister lived about a kilometer and a half away, and he would also manage to feed himself sometimes- I would stir fry and freeze veggies in small packets, which he could pop into a boiling pan of Maggi noodles. I think he managed to cook eggs, too!

I am sure he was quite vague even then, but he seems far more scatterbrained now. I feel that he needs someone to take care of him and make sure that taps and gas cylinders and light/fan switches and air-conditioners are closed firmly and switched off. Even when we come home to an empty house together, and I am taking the key out of my handbag, he will ring the doorbell. I wonder whom he expects to open the door.

I have gently suggested that he move to the company guest house for a few days, but he has decided that going to Durgapur and working over there will suit all concerned. I never thought that the day would come when I'd actually be glad that he will be spending a few days away from home. Talk about a vested interest!

13 comments:

Aneela Z said...

I can sympathize with the bit about ringing doorbells...the toddler likes doing it too, methinks it is less vagueness and more listening to the chimes that he might like.

dipali said...

@Aneela Z: The SRE has exhibited toddler-like traits even earlier:
http://dipalitaneja.blogspot.com/2009/06/sre-and-dressing-table.html

Our bell has a very standard two-tone sound- maybe he just likes pressing doorbells:)

Anonymous said...

~ laughs! :) have heard the whole story and am looking fwd to meeting you today!

dipali said...

@veggiecrook: Me too. And you never told me that you'd started blogging:(:(:(

R's Mom said...

hahahaha! thats so cute..he is so much like my dad...my dad takes out the keys...opens the door and then rings the bell...Why when my mom askes..he says just like that!

dipali said...

@R's Mom: Must be something to do with that particular vintage!!!!

Banno said...

Oh my god, do they get more scatter-brained with time?

However, ringing door bells on empty houses sounds like fun, for some reason.

dipali said...

@Banno: Mine certainly does!!!!
I wasn't keen on him ringing the doorbell when my folks were around- it would most definitely disturb them. It just seems unnecessary now!

Neera said...

Awww ..loved the post ..most of all for the foresight on what it gets to be like :) I hope ur plans work out and he too stays fine when u r not there :)

The Soul of Alec Smart said...

OMG. This is definitely a male trait. My dad used to ring the bell while opening the door, and joke - "Just so we alarm any robbers. Everyone deserves a second chance." :D

dipali said...

@Neera: I will only know for sure once I get home! Will keep you posted.
@The Soul of Alec Smart: At least your Dad has a rationale! The SRE has never expressed his.

Indian in NZ said...

LOL! I am glad that 'D' has learnt to cook and can feed himself and me too sometimes :) Only thing I have to worry is that he is sticking to the routine (for kids). Everytime I hav come home late from some training/workshops etc, I find the kids awake and that drives me nuts.

dipali said...

@Indian in NZ: Cooking is just a part of it! These guys just have to do things differently from the way we do them:(