Definitely feeling for you, Polter-Cow. I hope you have a great time seeing your brother during the holidays.

Thanks, smonster. What is so weird to me is that I have these very strong values I clearly got from them (and some from school). So when they go against the very values they taught me, it gives me a buffer overrun. I can't believe I'm in my mid-40s and I still haven't learned how to deal with it yet.

Did a fair amount of chore stuff today. I know mom will be in a CLEAN ALL THE THINGS frenzy for T-day and will be going ballistic. The chore I have is much larger than I can accomplish in one day so I figured I'd start early. I'm now so whipped that I don't have much physical energy left for myself. Which sucks because I need to do more recording and editing tonight. Not sure whether I'll force myself through or succumb to the pain fatigue.

Got a bit of a bike ride in, got threatened by a bike-hating dude who tried to play chicken with me, enjoyed being out in the fresh air otherwise. Wish the days weren't so darned short, though.

Oh, and just various details for the record so the story is all straight: it was my brother's girlfriend's idea for him to use the cat excuse, and he did tell my mom the girlfriend-related reason for not coming, after which she was silent for a while and then told him to bring her card games she can take on her India trip.

I hope you have a great time seeing your brother during the holidays.

SO MANY GAMES. No! Sleep! Till I beat BioShock!

PC, ah, man. You deserve better.

Not until I got to college did I realize how awesome I have it with my own slightly-fucked up but wonderfully goofy family that loves me.

And each year that passes, I am more grateful.

Way to channel your rage into delicious productivity, Nora.

So my mom burst into tears shen I told her about the potential offer, and then again when she thought about Frankie leaving. And that's perfectly fine and natural, but I just didn't quite expect it, though I should have.

Taz has also been extra snuggly and sweet today. Cat makes me happy! (well, less rage-y.)

So my mom burst into tears shen I told her about the potential offer, and then again when she thought about Frankie leaving. And that's perfectly fine and natural, but I just didn't quite expect it, though I should have.

Ah, smonster, that's hard. But it's your dream and hopefully, she'll come around. And hey-- you'd be moving for an actual job that allows you to follow your bliss as opposed to just following your bliss like I did. And even my mother is finally sort of starting to forgive me. Kind of. She acknowledges that the kids are doing great although when she was here in August she let loose with a plaintive, "Nate, will you let me take a picture of you-- your mother never sends me any and the next time I see you you'll either be in college or I'll be dead."

Family-- what can you do?

Well, she said through her tears that she knows it's what I want to do, but it's just so far. And I told her it was fine to be sad, that I understood. It will be fine.

I'm so happy things are coming together for you, smonster. I'm sorry your mom is sad about it but I hope she'll adjust.

Aw. Definitely better than "all righty then, good luck with you!"

It's hard, I still have the guilt from my mom. Plus my grandma's health went downhill shortly after I left, so my guilt is thusly multiplied. On the whole though, I'm 1000% pleased with our decision.

You know, amazingly for me? I felt no guilt. Just sadness and compassion. Fucking miracle, that is.