That time is now.

There comes a time in every live-together relationship when you want nothing more than to break something over the head of the other party.

Roommate tends to get really short and snippy and hissy when he’s really focusing on something he’s doing on the computer. So I’ve pretty much stopped trying to talk to him then, instead saving things for tv time, as he’s generally watching something on dvd and those can be paused.

I, too, get snippy when focused on something on the computer. Especially when it’s bills, balancing the checkbook, or some iffy online application that has hideous inconsistent cooperation with my attempts to fill it in.

So what happens? He gets back from four days of incessant relaxation and computer gaming at his brother’s house, and I’m getting home. He’s all bubbly and talkative, and I’m focused on two things. Paying bills, and filling out an application that MUST be mailed tomorrow.

RM: *boing boing boing* sohowwasyourweekend!
Me: *updating financial software* grrrrr. fine.
RM: Did you (endless stream of things I didn’t hear)?
Me: *glare, opens application*
RM: I blah blah blah — You’re not listening, are you?
Me: *stares at pile of open bills, stares at open job application on screen, looks at RM* Do you actually listen when I talk to you while you’re doing this stuff?
RM: Oh. I’m ordering pizza for us. *zzzoooom*

Happily, we both have a license to grump at each other, without getting all wounded and whimpery about it.

Unfortunately, the neighbor’s kids started screaming when Roommate left the room, and I can’t growl at them.