I am ok with anger when it is from a library patron. It isn't personal ( and sometimes it is ridiculously funny) .

In my personal life - I don't know what to do with anger. Growing up - I was taught to think before I speak. I haven't yet succeeded in convey to Matt that 's why I want to go for a walk before finishing a discussion/fight - because I can think and therefore have no idea what will come out of my mouth ( i am smart - but I am so not a fast thinker ) . I have also noticed, and I remember doing this in childhood too , if someone accuses me of doing something - and I didn't , the fight is over. I just don't have much to say. and my anger is gone too. I figure when the are willing to actually see what is going on , that's when we can talk

Update: We have not died of botulism. Yay! Also, that salad was super delicious.

So I was at a bar with my friends and my Mom called, and she was complaining about how I never call, and I asked her if she had a reason to call me other than to yell at me, and she said, “No... wait, yes...”, so I told her I was going back to the bar, and I hung up on her. I drank too much tonight.

Also: I got home and read my mail, and I got an early birthday present from my co-op board:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: that pursuant to the provisions of Article I, Section 3 and Article II, Section 7 of the By Laws of [my Co-Op], a Special Meeting of the Board of Directors and Shareholders of the corporation will be held on [My Birthday] at 6:00pm at [across the street] for the following purposes:

1. to present grounds for the Board of Directors and Shareholders pursuant to paragraph 31(f) of the apartment corporation's stand form of proprietary lease to determine whether to vote to terminate the tenancy of [person] and her proprietary leases for Aprts. 7C, 7D and 8B at [My Building] and cancel the stock shares of the corporation allocated to those apartments based on objectionable conduct.

2. To receive a presentation from [person] in response to the presentation of said grounds.

Co-op drama! On my birthday! So much fun! I have no idea what the “objectionable conduct” refers to.

I still feel guilty about my Mom, though.

I'd say don't, but I know how complex that is. You did what was best for you (YAY!) and count that as a win. Take that piece of straw and blow it into the wind.

Speculate on objectionable conduct: using as an office? brothel? den of iniquity? raising chickens? GOATS? LIONS AND TIGERS AND CROCS?!!!

TRAINING CROCS TO CLIMB UP THE OUTSIDE OF THE BUILDING! That's why she needed apartments on two floors, obviously.

Oy, Tom. For all of it.

Did you say what the rest of the salad was, Kate? I t heart salads full of chickpeas.

-t, your mind works in the best ways.

Did you say what the rest of the salad was, Kate? I salads full of chickpeas.

Lebanese bread salad! Chickpeas, cucumber, red pepper, tomato, red onion, lightly toasted pita bread, parsley, mint, and a generous amount of garlicky-lemony-tahini dressing. Yum!

Co-op drama! On my birthday! So much fun! I have no idea what the “objectionable conduct” refers to.

Clearly she was orchestrating a co-op takeover by claiming victory in Apartment Connect 4.

I still feel guilty about my Mom, though.

I'm sorry, Tom. For what it's worth, I validate your boundaries and the right to have them. And drinking at the bar.

Also meant to say, Tom, good on you for standing up for yourself with your mom. You have come SO far.

I'm sorry, Tom. For what it's worth, I validate your boundaries and the right to have them.

Seriously. That's fantastic, man. (And yes, I still feel guilty when I assert my boundaries with my mom. But it gets easier over time.)

Also meant to say, Tom, good on you for standing up for yourself with your mom. You have come SO far.

Hell yes, you have.

Ugh Tom, good for you for not letting her horn in on your evening.

Speaking of anger, my son has been the tetchy one today, burst into outrage and screaming at me twice, once over the fact that we turned off his computer's internet access and later over having to go to bed. But I didn't lose my temper, I was able to just explain and support and try to redirect him. Why parenting so hard?

So I guess I should add an addendum to my description of my anger. I DO have a bad temper, but I do a decent job of keeping it in check.