Saturday, January 09, 2010

A Slight Flaw in His Logic

Note: I have been informed by brother that I meant to say iPod Touch. Not iTouch. I stand corrected.

For various reasons, Hubs and I have set family rules regarding Son's computer use. For example, any computer he has access to is to be kept in common areas of the house, no computer in his room, passwords have been set so he can't go on-line unless either Hubs or I log him on and he isn't to use the computer unless there's an adult present. Son has made it known that these rules are outrageously harsh and extreme. Our response: "Tough."

We have relaxed some of the rules a bit over time as he has demonstrated the ability to stay out of trouble. For Christmas, Son received an iTouch. This is a HUGE show of trust since with the iTouch he can pretty much by-pass most of the rules. But, as I said, he has earned our trust. New rules have been put in place, of course. And he's so determined to show us he'll comply he's even set some himself.

"Ok, Mom? I want you to know, I appreciate the trust you're showing by giving me this, and to prove it I've put a password on my iTouch."

"Um...what?"

"I put a password on my iTouch. So I can't get on-line unless you or dad enter the password."

"YOU password protected your iTouch with a password that only YOU know?"

"Yep!" He patted me on the shoulder reassuringly. "See? I'm totally obeying the rules."

"Right. So you set a password and you're keeping it a secret from yourself so you aren't tempted to get on-line?"

"Well..."

"Are you planning to share the password with us?"

"Um..."

I'm not sure whether to be insulted or concerned that he thinks I won't see the flaw in his reasoning. Maybe both?

If Only He Could Remember These Conversations The Next Day

A few nights ago, I was in bed trying to defy the powers of the insomnia gods and actually go to sleep when Hubs came in. He climbed into bed and within minutes was snoring. This ability he has to fall asleep like that confounds me. I'm desperate to find out how he does it.

Once the snoring had escalated to "affect the rotation of the earth" levels, I gave up and since my laptop is kept right next to my bed, I pulled it over and started reading some of my favorite blogs. A friend noticed I was on-line and we proceeded to chat. At last, I started feeling sleepy and so I put the computer back and tapped Hubs gently on the shoulder.

"Hey," I whispered. "Would you mind turning onto your side?"

"Why?" he mumbled. You're the one that's snoring. I'm not even asleep."

"Well if you're making that kind of noise while you're awake you may want to have it checked out because that's not normal."

"What are you talking about? I'm just laying here trying to sleep. Which is hard to do with you snoring and clickety-clacking on your computer."

"What?? That doesn't even make sense. Ok, look, I'll admit to being on the computer. I'll even show you time-stamped posts which, due to their coherency and mostly correct spelling point to the fact that I was, in fact, awake when I made them."

"I was awake. I know I was because I could HEAR THE SNORING."

"It. Was. YOUR. SNORING."

"Oh. Ok. So why were YOU snoring then?"

"I WASN'T! I WAS ON THE COMPUTER!"

"Well if I turn on my side, I have to take out my headphones. Are you okay with that?"

"Why would I care one way or the other?"

"Well if you start to snore it'll wake me up. If I have my headphones in I can't hear anything."

"You can't hear anything? Like snoring? Or someone typing?"

"Nope."

"I give up."

This. THIS is why I often need naps. Also, I'm stealing his headphones.