Tuesdays with Morrie? Or Saturdays with Mom?

The TMI Tuesday questions weren't very interesting (to me) this week, so one less meme ... which I'm sure some of you are grateful for!

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Let me first make a confession - I never read, nor saw, Tuesdays with Morrie. I did scan the SparkNotes to make sure it was the plot I thought it was, because if it wasn't? This post title wouldn't make a lick of sense. So ... there is that!

Anywell *bonus points to any sports talk radio fans who get this reference* ...

Since moving to Las Vegas, I have been rekindling my relationship with my mom. We spent decades apart, talking maybe once every 6 months? There were many reasons for this - too many to list here - not all of them faults of mom. 

Initially, when Mike and I moved here, there were some boundary issues. Mom would stop by the apartment, unannounced, once or twice a week *WARNING* This is one of the quickest ways to piss me off in a nanosecond so we quickly came to an agreement that I would spend Saturday afternoons with her - a mom date of sorts. Every Saturday, at 2:30 PM, I pick her up and we go to our now favorite neighborhood bar, have drinks, eat lunch, and discuss the meaning of life. It's also the one day of the week that I put makeup on because mom tells me she is embarrassed to be seen with me if I'm not wearing makeup. That should give you some insight into the tone of my relationship with mom.

About half of the time, these dates end in some sort of drama, usually instigated by mom having one too many dry manhattans. 

There was the time when we were leaving the bar and when she opened the car door, slammed it into the car next to us ... which just happened to have someone in it. Fortunately, there was no damage, but it got pretty dicey there for a bit as she insisted that she didn't hit their car (she did).

Then there was the time she decided it was a good idea to be extremely critical of my parenting. As I tried to keep my cool, she continued to poke the bear. That date ended in me telling her to "FUCK OFF" and walking home.

*SIDE NOTE* This was before I insisted on being the designated driver for our dates. I am now - always - the designated driver and I do drink responsibly.

We had one of these drama Saturdays this weekend ... again dry manhattan fueled. When dry manhattan fueled, mom has a tendency to forget what she says, then when I question her on it, she insists she didn't say whatever the offensive remark was and gets beyond defensive. Me being me, rather than just letting it go, I turn into a right fighter. I'm sure Dr. Phil would ask, "How's that working for you?" Mom then abruptly stood up and left the bar. I had to chase her down, pour her into my car, then go back in and pay our tab.

I'm still undecided as to whether or not Saturdays with Mom are beneficial to our relationship, or a snapshot of everything that has ever been wrong in our relationship.

For now? I just need to work on being "nice" for the three hours we spend together each week. I'm certain that mastering that skill will be valuable in other aspects of my life, right??

Sunday Stealing | Art Historic Meme

This one looked ... well? Interesting! Not the "standard" meme

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Classical: If you were an Olympian god, what would you be known for?

I would be the female counterpart to Dionysus. I would be the goddess of grape harvest, vodka making and vodka ... because nothing is better than a bottle of Ciroc.

Byzantine: Do you prefer gold or silver accessories?

Au > Ag ... at least in atomic mass *snicker*

Medieval: Are you religious?

I am not religious. I believe that religion - specifically organized religion - often brings out the worst in people. I prefer to live my life from the "Don't be an asshole" religion.

Gothic: What is your favourite historic building?

I have always been a huge fan of Frank Lloyd Wright and Prairie School architecture in general.

Renaissance: Have you ever had a time in your life when you felt enlightened or changed?

Ha! Enlightened or changed? No ...but if someone knows how I can find some enlightenment, please share!

Baroque: Do you enjoy the finer things in life?

I do appreciate the finer things in life, but generally? I'm more practical - finer things seem extravagant to me.

Rococo: Is your bedroom full of trinkets and pictures? If so, which pictures adorn your walls?

I do have quite a few trinkets and pictures in my bedroom. The pictures help define my "office" space from my "sleeping" space since both of these are in my bedroom. 

Office Space

Sleeping Space 

Neoclassicism: If something came back into fashion, what do you hope it would be?

Writing letters (I've mentioned this before). I think the art of letter writing has (sadly) gone the way of the dinosaur. It is such an intimate, special thing when you receive a handwritten letter or note, knowing that someone took the time to sit down, think about you, and put a piece of themselves on paper.

Romanticism: Do you often see things in a positive light?

I try to see things in a positive light, although I sometimes fail miserably.

Pre-Raphaelite: Which book would you like to see turned into a film?

None! I am not a fan of turning books into films, especially if it is a book I've read and enjoyed. I want my imagery of the story to remain intact, and that seldom happens when a book is turned into a film.

Impressionism: Do you look for details or take everything in at once?

I'm an accountant - need I say more?

Art Nouveau: When were you last at the theatre?

December 2015 (Star Wars Episode VII – The Force Awakens), however I am considering going to see Black Panther in the theater as I think that will be the only way to do the film justice.

Surrealism: Why does the porcupine think it's a duck?

*gigglesnort* Ummmm ... I've got nothing! Clearly I am not a surrealist.

Pop Art: Do you enjoy pop culture?

I do enjoy pop culture when it goes beyond the dumbed down version that the masses are fed. New ideas are fascinating - I just don't accept that they are great ideas because the mainstream tells me they are great ideas.

Contemporary: What did you do today?

So far? Woke up at 5:22 to a power outage - began to panic at 6:30 when it still wasn't on and I hadn't had a cup of coffee yet - then moments later power was restored! Then I drank coffee, took in Sunday morning news, and wrote this post.

Sundays are usually pretty good days until about 5:00 PM when they turn into SMondays ... 

10 Things Thursday

1. Avocado toast? Why??
   
   
2. And avocado proposals? What is this weird obsession with this ugly fruit? I like avocados as much as the next person ... in guacamole ... where they belong!
3. Now that the Winter Olympics are over, I thought this article and slide show addressing what happens to Olympic Villages after the games end was interesting *HINT* Not all Olympic Villages have a happy ending
4. Did you know that Olympic athletes in PyeongChang received roughly 37 condoms each? Apparently there is a lot of sex going on at the Olympics. Maybe I need to join a curling team.
5. I need this cookie cutter in my life ...
   
   
6. Have you heard about the marijuana amnesty drop boxes that have been installed here at McCarran airport? If you forget that you purchased recreational marijuana while visiting Vegas, and remember that it is a Federal offense to transport it across state lines, there is now a legal way to dispose of it. That's Vegas for you ... always giving ...
7. In other news, poop is a really popular kids toy this year according to Gizmodo. Kind of like avocados, I just don't get it!
8. After being dormant for a while, I seem to have found my sexuality. Of course, it lives in my phone *unfortunate* but is quite ... well? Satisfying. Who knew? Yes ... this point might have been better suited to a TMI Tuesday post, but y'all know how I feel about rules!
9. I thought this lifehacker article on how to fight isolation when you work from home had some good ideas. I've actually implemented several of them as the isolation I experienced this past year negatively impacted my relationship with Mike and my mental health.
10. Now that I've cut cable, I find these monthly Netflix coming and going articles extremely helpful. They always give me ideas on what I should watch.