The Great Compromise

Months ago I accepted the fact that I was not going to make it to Jess and Rob's wedding in July. It is in Boston and I, sadly, am not.

Enter Ross' burning desire to get yet another new TV. Please recall that in November we agreed to splurge on an amazing HDTV for the living room. At that time I said repeatedly "this is it on the new TV front for at least five years." Yes, yes, he agreed.

Until about Monday. On Monday he calls me at work, 8 a.m., asking to buy a new TV. It gets worse. A new TV for his game room, for playing video games. Apparently widescreen is optimal and the 32inch non-widescreen he had just wasn't cutting it. He couldn't see the video-game-zombies sneaking up on him for the kill. Are. You. Kidding. Me.

I told him no way. Absolutely not. No No No. You want one, use your spending money. You oh so conveniently came up with this spending money plan. Use it. I believe being beaten at your own game is how you would describe that.

Flashforward to today. Ross has $300 figured out, including a 2 month advance on his spending money (approved by yours truly). We go to Walmart and he's checking out a 26 inch widescreen HDTV. I take one look at that and know with all the certainty of a wife who knows her man, that this TV will be "too small" in less than 5 months.

So I make the man an offer: Why don't you just get this one (points to more expensive 32-inch HDTV), and use our joint money, and we'll buy me a plane ticket to Jess' wedding in exchange?

Ross: DONE.

Marriage really is all about compromise after all.