Conversation Cliff Notes

– My mom started off with how long it had been and how surprised she was. I didn’t respond to that and simply agreed. She commented it looked like I had been skiing and I said yes, 3 or 4 times. I added that there’s also more to being busy than just that.

– I mentioned the fact I listened to NPR/KUOW and she asked me which station it is. She seems to think it has a liberal tilt. I said I think it’s actually moderate in that they often have someone who’s conservative, and someone’s who’s liberal. I should’ve added that they do more than talk about politics. The afternoon programs are actually more culturally centered rather than conversational.

– That lead to talk about the healthcare mandate. My mom supports it after what went on with my dad’s Cancer treatment. I waver because there’s no incentive for a young, healthy person to buy into the system. I said an incentive would be preventative care. However, I said strongly that I don’t want to be required to pay into a system where I also have to pay for people who don’t make dietary changes, don’t eat the right food, and don’t care to become active in some way or another (Yes, I am of the opinion U.S. Healthcare = Sickcare). I also feel more of the cost is associated by malpractice and drug companies trying to recoup investments on research. I firmly believe that a well balanced diet is the best medicine and that a Vegan diet can help fight Cancer and eliminate the need for prescription drugs in most cases.

– After saying we wouldn’t make it to dinner Saturday, she lamented saying that the gatherings just keep getting smaller. She said my cousin with 6 kids, 3 that were taken into foster care so only 3 are around still – wouldn’t be there. There’s agitation about his kids and him being around, but also he’s her weed supplier. Note that when we do attend dinner, we leave when weed or politics comes up.

– Someone in the extended part of the family is getting married August 11th, which is the day my parents were married after being together for 21 years. She took offense. My eldest Aunt tried to spin it positively and I knew that was a wasted effort so I sympathized with my mom’s viewpoint. She appreciated that.

– The above point lead to a conversation about how she feels lonely. I have pushed her each time I’ve seen her to get out with friends and be social. Last time, she had been. This time, she hasn’t. She is seeing the main one (who has horses, so she actually has motive to be their friend moreso than other people) this Friday or something. She said it had been 30 years since she was alone, but when she was saying that I was thinking how life is that much different even when he was there. Obviously my lust for life lends itself to the fact Twin and I are so active, and we have similar work schedules. Not every day is exciting and that’s not reasonable to expect, but my parents stopped bonding when they conquered drug or alcohol additions with my conception or shortly thereafter.

– There was mention of refinancing the house. This place has 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. Actually, it might be 5 bedrooms. This is way to big for one person, because my sister should be moving out soon now that she’s finished with her teaching degree (yeah, an unyielding unforgiving person teaching young people) and is applying for substitute teacher jobs.

– Because my sister is graduating, that was brought up and I didn’t say much in regards to that. The last time my sister graduated something, they were trying to coerce me into excluding Twin and I refused to go and sniffed out the fact my sister didn’t really want to invite me via MySpace messaging. That prompted him yelling at me and telling me to "Fuck off and die." I’m sorry I haven’t fully dropped that, but its pretty bad when your dad says that and is so embarrassed that he can’t say sorry and my mom has to apologize somewhat half-heartedly.

– She did mention my grandfather’s 80th birthday, and I asked if that’s a Saturday (the 2nd of June). She said it is, and I said that’s Twin and my first anniversary and we’ll be out of town. To that she responded by saying that 80 is a big deal. I said it is, but we can catch up with him the weekend after or before. In debriefing Twin on this, she was pretty enfuriated that my mom played down our anniversary.

That was the extent of the conversation. Luckily I was spared mention of Marijuana, Johnny Depp, and other repetitive subjects in addition to her trying to relate to alcohol consumption I take part in. I did have to hear something about Bill Mahr and Keith Olberman, but it was brief. We will probably end up seeing her next weekend since I will be meeting up with BGem and his other groomsmen to get fitted for tuxedos.