Bay of Islands

We're on vacation for the weekend in the Bay of Islands. The accompanying picture is from a tourist site and isn't a totally accurate representation (I have pictures which I'll post when we get home). It's been a bit cloudy so the water's been a little rough, but we're right off the ocean and that's incredibly cool. But enough complaining, read on - for more complaining.



Our first morning wasn't a soft awakening to the waves and local Tui birds, but rather the jarring sound of our cell phone at 5:50am. Our cell phone is a pay-as-you-go and is given out to family & our alarm company for emergencies, so a call meant one of two things: the house alarm has gone off, or someone is in the hospital or dead. It was the former (thank god). But it's the second false alarm in 4 weeks and we paid a lot for the system, so we're going to have to deal with the company when we get home. Our neighbors must hate us, and don't get us started on how it affects our cats.

I'm not who you want in an emergency: I heard the phone ringing and it just got incorporated into whatever dream I was having. I'm useless. But Iain woke right up and bounded out of bed. This initial call from the monitoring company was followed up by a $55 visit to the house to make sure everything was ok. Furious and unable to go back to sleep, Iain called the alarm company and gave them an earful.

It was a crappy start to our weekend and it made Iain very irritable. He kept complaining about stuff, which is very uncharacteristic, but I found it amusing. There was something familiar and comforting about his snarky mood. It was too hot out. This shirt is scratchy. I don't like those kayaks. Lunch was good but there wasn't enough salt. There should be a bigger coffee table in our hotel. Stop walking so fast. The waves aren't as high as they were yesterday. Hang on - the waves are too high now! Remind me - I need earplugs for going in the water. We should really do some exercise. Jeez- this hill is high!

And then I realized: in his sleep-deprived, anger-riddled state, Iain had turned into me, and was doing a very impressive job of bitching about everything.

For those who've ever wondered what it would be like to date yourself, I can honestly say it's awesome. I spent a fabulous day with myself/Iain, who complained way more than me. Every time I whined about something, myself/Iain one-upped me. That never happens! I looked so tolerant and pleasant next to myself/Iain. It was fantastic. I fantasized about our glorious second date, but alas - Iain got a good night's sleep and woke up this morning, feeling refreshed, happy and wanting to do yoga.

Sigh.....