When I started dating my husband, we were both 18. Babes at sea, I think now. One of the things that I loved about him was that he didn’t have an especially boy-centric taste in movies or books or music. He wasn’t a fan of shoot-’em-up flicks, and didn’t rush out to see the newest Sylvester Stallone movie (insert affectionate nudge nudge to a certain You-Know-Who)
(and I don’t mean Voldemort).
Instead, my then-boyfriend enjoyed his share of quirky movies like The Royal Tenenbaums, or chick flicks like Love, Actually or even Sense and Sensibility. Wait–did I take a vow of silence on that one? I can’t quite remember . . . oh well, too late.
The point is that for a long time, I thought that in the realm of entertainment-centered marital conflicts, I had gotten off scot-free. I heard other women talk about little spats with their spouses involving what to watch on TV, or what movie to pop in on a Friday night, and I chuckled to myself inside, feeling smug and superior.
Oh, does pride ever come before the fall.
Because then, 10 years into our relationship, while in Alaska, the show Ice Road Truckers entered his life.
The 3rd season of this show centers around the runs that drivers working for Carlile Trucking make from Fairbanks to DeadHorse, over a road literally made of ice.
Look! We spotted a Carlile truck just south of Fairbanks!
Anyway, there we were in Alaska, and my husband’s excitement about this show was gushing forth. We watched a couple episodes, I learned some interesting things, and that was that. I wasn’t a huge fan. But the next evening:
“Let’s watch another episode of Ice Road Truckers!” he exclaimed enthusiastically.
“But . . . I don’t even like that show! What about Design Star?”
“But what about Ice Road Truckers?”
“What about Project Runway? You like Tim Gunn, don’t you?”
“But the Polar Bear is about to make his first run to DeadHorse! And Jack is in the middle of a snowstorm with an oversize load!”
“But it’s just dudes in a truck, over and over again!”
Oh my word. I was in the middle of a little entertainment friction. And I couldn’t believe my own ears.
So let it be known: if you’re just beginning your relationship with a man-type person and you think he’s just into quirky indie films and chick flicks like you, beware. One day he’ll decide that he only wants to watch Ice Road Truckers. And Ice Road Truckers alone will he watch. And watch he will only Ice Road Truckers. And you’ll have to have a small show-down about whether you’re watching Ice Road Truckers or Project Runway. And you will savor a nice piece of a dessert called ‘Humble Pie.’
“But honey,” I tried to reason, “all the episodes are the same! It’s just a bunch of people driving! And they just create all this drama from silly stuff–like that time that Lisa just slips on the ice but they make you think she’s dead or something just to hype things up before the commercial break! The drama is totally made up!”
And then I rememebr the silly drama on this season of Project Runway between Bert and everyone else . . . and I can’t really continue to debate the thing along those lines. I try to think up a different tactic. And then I remember that I married a man.
And I’m a woman.
And dude . . . we’re different. But that’s okay.
“I’ll watch Ice Road Truckers,” I’ll finally consent, “but I need to pop some popcorn, lie on your lap, and you need to give me an avalanche of back skritchies to get me through it!”
And then we’re both happy. I guess I’ll do anything for some good back-skritchy laden snuggling.
Plus, he’s kinda cute . . .
. . . I think I’ll keep him.
View Comments (27)
That picture of the two of you is adorable :)
Also? My husband found that show too. And the extreme one, whatever it is... they're in what, south america now? He watched last night, and I seriously shuddered. The attitudes on the veteran truckers! Man!
It's so funny that your hubby found that show too. What is it with guys and trucks?
Jenna, I think this should be required reading in pre-marital classes -- not to dissuade prospective brides and grooms, but to show them that differences come with the territory and compromise is the glue that holds everything together. LOVE THIS!
P.S. Chuckling over Corinne's comment... My hubby & I encountered a number of attitudes when we were over the road and the best way to counteract them was with a good attitude of your own. :) For the most part, folks were just folks.
By the way, we don't watch IRT because of the ICE and SNOW... too cold for us wimpy Okies. lol.
The Mistah and I have been watching Alaska State Troopers (NatGeo channel) since our trip. We point out places we've been during the episode. Maybe if we had ventured farther north we would have jumped on the IRT bandwagon.
Aww! You two are just too cute! And for the record, I thought same-sex couples might not have to deal with much of this, but no such luck. While we're both pretty happy to watch Project Runway (despite the Bert drama), we still have the comedy vs. drama debate frequently and use back rubs as bargaining chips. It's all about compromise.
Yes it is--and I can only imagine that any entertainment tiffs between you and J are saturated in adorableness. =)
Oh my goodness, Jenna, too funny! Randy "found" Ice Road Truckers, too, and though he will ever claim that I'm the one who likes the show...it's him. It's all him. :D Since we quit cable and got Netflix, we now we have the Star Trek vs Everything Else debate! And Deadliest Warrior. If I have to watch one more pig carcass attacked by a reproduction sword...but I digress :)
Haha! That's so funny! I've never heard of the 'Deadliest Warrior,' but I'm feeling very thankful that is hasn't made an appearance in our house. =)
Hubby has today off and happened to be next to me whilst I was reading this, and after I started cracking up and he got intrigued, I had to tell him about you and read this to him. Great start to the morning and so true! Dennis is the same, he loves all the movies I do BUT he also HAS to see all the horrible action movies like Hell Boy & Cat Woman. I watch the more realistic ones with him but the others he watches by himself at home while I'm on the computer! hahahahaha
Ha!! Fantastic. I love how men actually are different than we womens. It is wonderful. Hurray for men and their manly shows!!
I hope you realize that my 'nudge nudge' was directed at a certain man named Dave who apparently was thrilled when that Stallone flick came out. Remember that?
It was an awesome movie...stallone, dolph lundgren, randy couture, jason statham, jet li, AND arnold and bruce willis all in the same film?! cinematic masterpiece
Anyway, great article Jenna!
Haha! I'm glad you are who you are, Dave. =)
Lol that was so funny. This is why it is imperative that all households have 1 tv per person. That is always my rule. Ideally one tv per person plus an extra. Kind of like 1 litter box per cat plus an extra. Or 2 eggs per person plus an extra for scrambled eggs.. It's just a good rule of thumb. =)
Hahaha! We're lucky to have 1, since my husband is on a campaign to get rid of the 1 we have!
Why does he want to get rid of it? I have to admit I've fantasized about that too; sadly the tv (and video games) in our house are the FOCAL POINT of the home (but not by me), but of my b/f and his brother and getting rid of it sounds heavenly!! LOL Though I'd be a bit of a hypocrite because I'd go through withdrawal of my Law & Order SVU...
We do a lot of our movie and show watching on the computer (Netflix instant play, hulu, etc.), so I think he doesn't see the need to have 2 viewing devices. I, on the other hand, appreciate the larger screen of the TV, so I'm hesitant to get rid of it.
nooooo!!!! don't get rid of the TV!!! My bf has actually tried to get rid of cable and I almost pass out every time. Although we do have netflix, hulu, and amazon at our disposal, I still need my cable! I am addicted and I'm not sorry.
Jenna - what you need to do is get your tv hooked up so you can watch your netflix and hulu on it, then your husband will understand the necessity for the big screen. =) Email me if you want more info on this - I'll get Nathan on it. You won't be sorry.
I've heard that you can hook Netflix up to your TV, and I'm very tempted by that option. Maybe someday soon. My understanding is you just have to buy a little device or something. That would be decadently wonderful.
OH Jenna! The devices I could introduce you to! Netflix.. hulu.. amazon.. you can have every show at your fingertips on your big tv!!
I am obsessed with this post. It made me laugh out loud more than once (and that NEVER happens... I'm usually stone face whilst browsing the internet). This almost describes my relationship with my boyfriend. My boyfriend LOVES football, and while I adore it as well, I don't like watching highlights for hours and hours and hours. But thankfully, he is just as obsessed with Project Runway as I am!
-Alaina
theRedOnion
Awesome! Thanks for stopping by Alaina, and I'm glad that this post provided some laughter for you. You're lucky to have a man who is also obsessed with Project Runway. I'll work on mine . . . =)
Haha! Nathan pretends he doesn't like Project Runway but when I'm watching and he's in the room, he'll conveniently stay.. sometimes even when he's just walking by he'll stop and just watch standing up lol
Haha--you know, my husband kind of lingers during the final fashion show, now that I think about it. =) Maybe they like it more than they're willing to admit.