I used to think that it was lame for women to know all about what their husbands were into. I thought is smacked of male-dominated relationships. You’re not actually into model trains/ham radios/historical recreations/bonsai, so why are you talking about it, and using the pronoun ‘we’ even though we’re the only two people in the room?
Anyway, I’ve recently realized that being involved in your partner’s interests means more to share and enjoy together. I knew this, of course, but today I was able to use what I’ve learned from Jason’s L33T skills and start-up knowhow when applying for a sweet sweet job (that I won’t be talking about until I know if I’m actually in the running). Then I read an email from a favorite aunt, and allofasudden it hit me that the interest and knowledge she’s gained from being married to a conifer expert has made her an expert too, and it’s a cool, neat thing. Now that I think about it, I know that there’s no way she’d get this into conifers if she didn’t already have an interest. Having a partner super-into it just makes it more likely that you’ll learn more.
So I think there should be some sort of nomenclature for this, a rating of how much you know about architecture, or dancing, or cattle, or programming because you spend your free time with someone who’s interested in it too. Partner points? Personal interest rating?
I’d say I have a healthy knowledge of Internet start-ups just by being with my partner, and I want to be able to convey that in a cover letter without sounding too wifey.
And now maybe I can find a way to get Jason knitting.
(Disclaimer: Jason has knit a potholder, in 2003 I think, but I think giving him some circular needles and letting him knit a hat would be more effective.)
(Disclaimer disclaimer: Jason knit said potholder when we first met, when doing things like knitting and playing Super Mario Sunshine are important to culling a good relationship.)