2011 WSJ Article: A Workout Ate My Marriage

Mr. Fort shows up at a meet maybe one day a year (someone's got to mind the kids). I really don't care; they're extremely dull for non-swimmers. And it gives me a nice break from the fam and a chance to see my friends. Guess I'm engaging in "love busting." That sounds pretty similar to how we used to be/will be again - my husband would show up at our home meet which was less than 10 mins from our house for maybe 30 mins, then get bored. He always managed to just miss my best swim too! However he has started to take an interest in kiddo's swimming, when she is actually swimming, so maybe he'll become a swim-dad yet? I just wish he'd engage in some regular exercise himself, but that's a whole other subject........

Fort - in our house we do the same workout shuffling/negotiating as you and your husband. The great thing is that neither of us have to ask permission to get up early or use an alarm clock.

I am really tired of all the side-jabs at ElaineK (about her fonts and smilies, husband, where she lives, how she deals with the noodlers, etc.) in this thread and elsewhere. I wish the moderators would be a little more active in talking privately to the perpetrators and asking them to stop. This is an interesting thread that I'd like to follow without having to read about others' personal gripes about other forumites. But in case the moderators don't want to do this, I'd like to ask, please, that it be stopped. It isn't funny and it certainly isn't about swimming.

I think my partner really respects the commitment that I've made to stick to my workout schedule, rain or shine (that means something when you swim outdoors all year round!), and he encourages me to go on the few times that I think about skipping. I'd like him to come to meets, but he's not keen on that (though he will "crew" me for open swims). I guess that's too much to expect -- they can be kind of boring for non-swimmers, after all.

I am really tired of all the side-jabs at ElaineK (about her fonts and smilies, husband, where she lives, how she deals with the noodlers, etc.) in this thread and elsewhere. I wish the moderators would be a little more active in talking privately to the perpetrators and asking them to stop. This is an interesting thread that I'd like to follow without having to read about others' personal gripes about other forumites. But in case the moderators don't want to do this, I'd like to ask, please, that it be stopped. It isn't funny and it certainly isn't about swimming. philoswimmer is right. :cheerleader::banana: GO :banana: eLaINE :banana: G0! :banana::cheerleader:

I agree. Most of us who have been here a long time have taken a jab or two from Geek. OK, maybe Elaine is taking more of it than anyone right now, but in my opinion it's fairly light-hearted. I'd be lying if I said I didn't laugh at Geek's post about "Active Adults." When Geek calls BS on something, he's generally spot on. I enjoy his weakness for smilies and non-default fonts. :cheerleader::banana: GO :banana: GeEk :banana: G0! :banana::cheerleader:

When Geek calls BS on something, he's generally spot on. I enjoy his weakness for smilies and non-default fonts. :cheerleader::banana: GO :banana: GeEk :banana: G0! :banana::cheerleader: :lmao:

I agree. Most of us who have been here a long time have taken a jab or two from Geek. OK, maybe Elaine is taking more of it than anyone right now, but in my opinion it's fairly light-hearted. I'd be lying if I said I didn't laugh at Geek's post about "Active Adults." Precisely. It was hysterical, as are many of his posts and jabs. And, honestly, active adult communities are frequently the butt of jokes, are they not? I guess over the years I've gotten used to the banter and back and forth on the forums. To quote Geek, there is no "nicey mcnice" requirement. People are allowed to dislike fonts and smilies (and love old fashioned arguments), just as people are allowed to dislike Geek. One can always use the ignore function. It also takes awhile to get used to the on line personalities, which don't always correspond to the in person personalities. Why, it took me at least a year to get used to and recognize our poor banned Gull's sarcasm or to recognize that Geek was just joshing when he called me a "bar maid" for months. And some posters still don't get my Jimslie at all. Moreover, while Elaine can be very sweet and encouraging, I think she also can be an agent provocateur, thread hijacker and downright astonishing to some.

...called me a "bar maid" for months. That takes me back to the good old days of the forum, the golden age. I'm so ashamed that knelson has come to my defense - befriended by a commie, the death sentence for an Ayn Rand devotee.

Moreover, while Elaine can be very sweet and encouraging, I think she also can be an agent provocateur, thread hijacker and downright astonishing to some. ???? Please send me a PM and explain... (Thread hijacker? :shakeshead: )