NationStates Jolt Archive


Mother's Day: What are you getting for yours?

Gun Manufacturers
06-05-2009, 15:56
So, Mother's Day is on the 10th, and I'm wondering what everyone's planning on getting for theirs. I'm on my way to pick up an Aerogarden 3 for my mom, and I'm including an extra 3 pod flower kit that came with my Aerogarden 3.
Mirkana
06-05-2009, 15:58
I plan to take my mom to see the new Star Trek movie. There are times when having two Trekkies for parents is extremely awesome.
Ring of Isengard
06-05-2009, 16:49
It's mother's day!?
Yootopia
06-05-2009, 16:55
It's mother's day!?
Ours was a few weeks back.
Eofaerwic
06-05-2009, 16:55
Mother's day in the UK was in March I believe.
Blouman Empire
06-05-2009, 16:57
Nothing I reckon she will be stoked.

*cookie for the reference*
Ring of Isengard
06-05-2009, 16:58
Ours was a few weeks back.

That's even worse, I missed it.
Pure Metal
06-05-2009, 17:04
That's even worse, I missed it.

lolz :p
Ring of Isengard
06-05-2009, 17:05
I'm a bad, bad son.
Yootopia
06-05-2009, 17:10
I'm a bad, bad son.
Don't worry, your mum's not angry. She's just disappointed.
Peepelonia
06-05-2009, 17:16
I'll recive nowt as I'm a dad, and I'll get my Mum nowt as well we just have never done the whole mothers day thing.
Wilgrove
06-05-2009, 17:18
Has anyone else noticed that there's all this advertisement and push for Mother's Day, you're suppose to buy her new and expensive things. However, when Father's Day roll around, eh not so much. Eh buy him a tie, he'll be happy.

As for my mother, she's off in Germany, and won't be back till May 11th. So I'm home free. :D
Ring of Isengard
06-05-2009, 17:20
I'll recive nowt as I'm a dad, and I'll get my Mum nowt as well we just have never done the whole mothers day thing.

You're a guy?
Yootopia
06-05-2009, 17:51
You're a guy?
Got some "ia" based prejudice, eh?

For shame.
Ring of Isengard
06-05-2009, 17:52
Got some "ia" based prejudice, eh?

For shame.

What?
Yootopia
06-05-2009, 17:54
What?
Why did you reckon Peepelonia was a lass?
Wilgrove
06-05-2009, 17:54
Why did you reckon Peepelonia was a lass?

Probably the Peep part.
Londim
06-05-2009, 17:55
Don't worry, your mum's not angry. She's just disappointed.

Ouch. I hate the disappointed attack. It's like a sucker punch to the stomach. At least with anger, you can have an argument.

Anyway its my mums birthday in a few weeks and I'm at a loss of what to get her. This thread could prove fruitful.
Ring of Isengard
06-05-2009, 17:56
Why did you reckon Peepelonia was a lass?

I have no idea.
Eofaerwic
06-05-2009, 17:59
Ouch. I hate the disappointed attack. It's like a sucker punch to the stomach. At least with anger, you can have an argument.



The disappointed attack is nasty - it's an automatic critical doing +5 damage. I swear it's a skill people learn as soon as they become parents.
Yootopia
06-05-2009, 18:01
The disappointed attack is nasty - it's an automatic critical doing +5 damage. I swear it's a skill people learn as soon as they become parents.
+8 vs. teenagers :D
Ashmoria
06-05-2009, 18:04
i hate mothers day. its a poor excuse for picking a (wo)man's pocket every 2nd sunday in may.
Smunkeeville
06-05-2009, 20:59
The disappointed attack is nasty - it's an automatic critical doing +5 damage. I swear it's a skill people learn as soon as they become parents.
We learned it from our parents. I haven't used it yet, I'm planning on using it sometime when I'm so pissed off I can't say what I want to because it would be inappropriate.

Also, I <3 Mother's day.......it's a day when I don't have to do anything, I wake up when I want to, and they bring me my favorite breakfast that I only get twice a year (the other time being my birthday) and then they take me to do whatever I want and then I get to eat whatever I want and then I get to watch whatever movie I want...etc. (except this year none of that happens, but next year maybe.)
Gun Manufacturers
06-05-2009, 21:08
It's mother's day!?

In the US, it's on Sunday the 10th.
Svalbardania
06-05-2009, 23:23
I was going to get her a new set of knives as hers are SHOCKING, but to get a set that's any good costs way too much :(
Smunkeeville
06-05-2009, 23:32
I was going to get her a new set of knives as hers are SHOCKING, but to get a set that's any good costs way too much :(

Get her a nice pairing knife, those are the most important to be sharp. (or pay to have hers sharpened, it's rather cheap.)
Hairless Kitten
07-05-2009, 00:47
I don't give presents to my mother. She is an awful person and will never get any goodies from me.
Blouman Empire
07-05-2009, 02:24
I'll recive nowt as I'm a dad, and I'll get my Mum nowt as well we just have never done the whole mothers day thing.

I keep forgetting you're a guy.
Antilon
07-05-2009, 02:27
Usually a Hallmark card. But this year, I've decided to get her a cake. An ice cream cake. That she can't eat. But it's the thought that counts, right?
Gun Manufacturers
07-05-2009, 02:33
Usually a Hallmark card. But this year, I've decided to get her a cake. An ice cream cake. That she can't eat. But it's the thought that counts, right?

Why can't she eat ice cream cake? Is she diabetic?
greed and death
07-05-2009, 02:43
she gets a phone call ?
Antilon
07-05-2009, 02:56
Why can't she eat ice cream cake? Is she diabetic?

No, lactose intolerant.
Gun Manufacturers
07-05-2009, 03:09
No, lactose intolerant.

Ah, I see. That sucks.
Neesika
07-05-2009, 04:58
Nada. These sorts of days are overrated.
Wilgrove
07-05-2009, 05:01
Nada. These sorts of days are overrated.

Gotta love Hallmarks Holiday. Everyone know it's a Hallmark Holiday, everyone knows it's pointless, but God help you if you forget those holidays...
greed and death
07-05-2009, 05:09
Gotta love Hallmarks Holiday. Everyone know it's a Hallmark Holiday, everyone knows it's pointless, but God help you if you forget those holidays...

I suspect there was laxative in my pot roast the Christmas of the year I forgot mother's day.
Neo Art
07-05-2009, 05:10
Gotta love Hallmarks Holiday. Everyone know it's a Hallmark Holiday, everyone knows it's pointless, but God help you if you forget those holidays...

yes because how horrible it is to suggest you might want to take one day out of your life to take the extra effort to show someone you care for how you feel about her.

Heaven fucking forbid.
Wilgrove
07-05-2009, 05:13
yes because how horrible it is to suggest you might want to take one day out of your life to take the extra effort to show someone you care for how you feel about her.

Heaven fucking forbid.

As opposed to doing it year round.
Neo Art
07-05-2009, 05:14
As opposed to doing it year round.

Well if you're doing it year round, you really don't need to complain about a holiday that suggests you should do something you are, supposedly, already doing, do you?
Stargate Centurion
07-05-2009, 05:17
Flowers, probably. Probably cook food, too.

I like to give her a break in the routine, maybe a chance to relax. Normally I do that for her birthday, but was out of town this year for that day, so I think I'll make up for it this Mother's Day.
Neesika
07-05-2009, 05:17
yes because how horrible it is to suggest you might want to take one day out of your life to take the extra effort to show someone you care for how you feel about her.

Heaven fucking forbid.

I talk to my mom nearly every day. She knows without a doubt I love her dearly. Mother's Day was a big deal when I was a kid, because kids care about those things and get excited by them. I just don't get all into these days like that anymore, and my mom certainly doesn't need some junky little present from me. :p
Smunkeeville
07-05-2009, 05:17
Nada. These sorts of days are overrated.

I don't know, it's kinda nice. I like holidays though......
Jordaxia
07-05-2009, 05:17
Nada. These sorts of days are overrated.

Pretty much - I buy gifts for people as often as I can anyway, and I lived on nothing but plain pasta for a fortnight because she'd borrowed (very literally) the last of my money. I don't know how I could make more of an effort for that for mothers day.
Neesika
07-05-2009, 05:20
You know what I don't like about Mother's Day? Okay, Mother's Day adverts are all about 'giving mom a break' right, like, make her dinner, take her out for dinner, clean the house so she doesn't have to do it, spa day, let her relax. Father's Day is all about golf, doing exciting things, going out, sports, whatever. Moms are expected to be exhausted, and they just need a break. Dads want to do exciting shit. It's like we're supposed to be too tired to do fun stuff, and if we aren't maybe we're not doing the whole mom thing right. Jerkfaces. I want a gift certificate to indoor skydiving or something.
Neesika
07-05-2009, 05:21
I don't know, it's kinda nice. I like holidays though...... Is it a holiday there? It's not here.
Smunkeeville
07-05-2009, 05:25
Is it a holiday there? It's not here.

Yeah. To be fair, I make everything a holiday, first kiss with hubby, the day he proposed, the day we decided to elope, our wedding anniversary, the day I found out I was pregnant with both kids, the day I went into labor with them, the day they were born, the day they first said they loved me.....etc.

I'm pretty big on celebrating things.

Mother's day is "do everything I want" day, father's day is "do everything he wants" day........our birthdays are the same (so are the days I got the positive pregnancy test results)
Stargate Centurion
07-05-2009, 05:25
You know what I don't like about Mother's Day? Okay, Mother's Day adverts are all about 'giving mom a break' right, like, make her dinner, take her out for dinner, clean the house so she doesn't have to do it, spa day, let her relax. Father's Day is all about golf, doing exciting things, going out, sports, whatever.

I always thought Father's Day was about giving Dad a break, too...

You know, on each day allowing said parent to do what said parent wishes they could do more often?
Wilgrove
07-05-2009, 05:27
Is it a holiday there? It's not here.

I may move to Canada.
Neesika
07-05-2009, 05:31
Yeah. To be fair, I make everything a holiday, first kiss with hubby, the day he proposed, the day we decided to elope, our wedding anniversary, the day I found out I was pregnant with both kids, the day I went into labor with them, the day they were born, the day they first said they loved me.....etc.

I'm pretty big on celebrating things.

Mother's day is "do everything I want" day, father's day is "do everything he wants" day........our birthdays are the same (so are the days I got the positive pregnancy test results)

Fair enough. I might be like that too if I could remember things like that. I don't even remember birthdays most of the time. I don't care about those things for me, so I don't really expect others to make a deal out of it...but people are odd. Some folks need you to care about those days, so it's a bit of a juggling act remember who cares and who doesn't.
Neesika
07-05-2009, 05:33
I always thought Father's Day was about giving Dad a break, too...

You know, on each day allowing said parent to do what said parent wishes they could do more often?

A break from what?

See mom apparently needs a break from all the exhausting work she does as a mom. Dad...well he's not exhausted, so he wants to run off and do active things, right?

Do you see where the stereotyping here is a little bit offensive?
Stargate Centurion
07-05-2009, 05:37
A break from what?

See mom apparently needs a break from all the exhausting work she does as a mom. Dad...well he's not exhausted, so he wants to run off and do active things, right?

Do you see where the stereotyping here is a little bit offensive?

Not really. Mom works hard at home. She gets a break from that. Dad works hard at work. He gets a break from that. I'm not sure where "running off and doing active things" comes into that. My dad spends most of Father's Day lying on the couch, sleeping (which, incidentally, is how my mom spends most of her mother's day, although she tends to do it on the bed). I can't talk about anyone else, and it might just be that I *hate* golf and fishing and all of that, but from my point of view, I don't see anything offensive.

Of course, I don't understand what you mean by "run off and do active things", sooo...
Wilgrove
07-05-2009, 05:38
A break from what?

See mom apparently needs a break from all the exhausting work she does as a mom. Dad...well he's not exhausted, so he wants to run off and do active things, right?

Do you see where the stereotyping here is a little bit offensive?

It goes both ways. I've seen more advertisement on a larger scale for Mothers Day than I've seen for Father's Day.
Smunkeeville
07-05-2009, 05:53
Fair enough. I might be like that too if I could remember things like that. I don't even remember birthdays most of the time. I don't care about those things for me, so I don't really expect others to make a deal out of it...but people are odd. Some folks need you to care about those days, so it's a bit of a juggling act remember who cares and who doesn't.

Any month that has more than 4 Fridays is "Opera month" and every Friday of that month is "Opera day" where all of your vocalizations must be in the form of song. ;)

We're a weird family.
Wilgrove
07-05-2009, 05:56
Any month that has more than 4 Fridays is "Opera month" and every Friday of that month is "Opera day" where all of your vocalizations must be in the form of song. ;)

We're a weird family.

I so want to knock on your door on an Opera day and see how y'all would answer the door.
Neesika
07-05-2009, 06:07
Not really. Mom works hard at home. She gets a break from that. Dad works hard at work. Yes. Thank you for fucking PERFECTLY highlighting the bullshit I'm talking about.

You assume mom is working hard at home because why...mom should be at home? And dad should be working? Heaven forbid they BOTH work. Heaven forbid the even more unthinkable...mom works and dad stays home. OMG! That wouldn't fit into the 'holiday' properly!


He gets a break from that. I'm not sure where "running off and doing active things" comes into that. My dad spends most of Father's Day lying on the couch, sleeping (which, incidentally, is how my mom spends most of her mother's day, although she tends to do it on the bed). I can't talk about anyone else, and it might just be that I *hate* golf and fishing and all of that, but from my point of view, I don't see anything offensive.

Of course, I don't understand what you mean by "run off and do active things", sooo...

Mother's Day is one of the busiest days of the year (http://www.farragutpress.com/articles/2009/05/10496.html) for the food industry.
Why? Because mom is supposed to be the one cooking all the meals, so letting her (and the family) eat out is supposed to provide her with a break. Stereotype.

Google Father's Day. You get FUN IDEAS! Because Dad doesn't need a break from cooking, since that's mom's job.

Are you getting it?

I'm not talking about reality, because this isn't about reality...it's about gender stereotypes.
Neesika
07-05-2009, 06:09
It goes both ways. I've seen more advertisement on a larger scale for Mothers Day than I've seen for Father's Day. That's not 'going both ways'. Mother's Day is all about women, who have children, and their value as a 'mother'. Father's Day is about dad the breadwinner, not dad the active parent. Both narrow views are annoying.
Stargate Centurion
07-05-2009, 06:12
Yes. Thank you for fucking PERFECTLY highlighting the bullshit I'm talking about.

You assume mom is working hard at home because why...mom should be at home? And dad should be working? Heaven forbid they BOTH work. Heaven forbid the even more unthinkable...mom works and dad stays home. OMG! That wouldn't fit into the 'holiday' properly!

Erm, I think you misunderstood me. I was referring to *my* family the whole time. I wasn't trying to advocate for any particular stereotypes. That's the particular reasons I said "Mom" instead of "a mother" or "Dad" instead of "a dad", for example. I get that that wasn't clear. Sorry.

I get that it doesn't apply for *all* families. For mine it happens to...?

I'm not talking about reality, because this isn't about reality...it's about gender stereotypes.

I got that, which is why I explicitly stated "I can't talk about anyone else, but from my point of view, I don't see anything offensive.". I'm framing both holidays in terms of my own family and in terms of my own family there's nothing offensive. That understood? Good. I prefer not to get into an argument about this because I happen to agree with you on the issue, I was simply attempting to personalize it...(the OP itself refers to "yours")?
SaintB
07-05-2009, 06:12
I'm not going to be able to get her anything, I work an 18 hour shift that Sunday and I am totally broke thanks to college loans.
Neesika
07-05-2009, 06:18
Erm, I think you misunderstood me. I was referring to *my* family the whole time. I wasn't trying to advocate for any particular stereotypes. That's the particular reasons I said "Mom" instead of "a mother" or "Dad" instead of "a dad", for example. I get that that wasn't clear. Sorry.

I get that it doesn't apply for *all* families. For mine it happens to...?


I got that, which is why I explicitly stated "I can't talk about anyone else, but from my point of view, I don't see anything offensive.". I'm framing both holidays in terms of my own family and in terms of my own family there's nothing offensive. That understood? Good. I prefer not to get into an argument about this because I happen to agree with you on the issue, I was simply attempting to personalize it...?
Your first post was not specific, it was a generalisation, and I referred to it when I was discussing generalisations. You then switched to how your family was different, but at the same time, you managed to touch on the very stereotypes I was discussing. It's really nice, your family and all, but it's not your family that defines the 'holidays', just like it's not my family that defines the holidays. Flipping back and forth from the general to the specific doesn't work in this instance, so I chose to remain with the general throughout. There was nothing to indicate that you were speaking in the specific when discussing 'mom' and 'dad' when those terms were used alongside 'my mom' and 'my dad'.

Of course I misunderstood you. You were unclear.
Stargate Centurion
07-05-2009, 06:20
Yeah, going back and reading my stuff, you're correct, of course. My bad.
Neesika
07-05-2009, 06:23
Yeah, going back and reading my stuff, you're correct, of course. My bad.
What a way to deflate my ire, sheesh.
Stargate Centurion
07-05-2009, 06:24
What a way to deflate my ire, sheesh.

<.<

I never did nothin', please don't hurt me! :tongue:
Neesika
07-05-2009, 06:27
Too late, I'm not mad enough to cut you now.
Saint Jade IV
07-05-2009, 07:45
I'm surprising my mother with a visit. I live about 700 k's away, so it will be a big surprise.
Delator
07-05-2009, 08:08
I'm getting her a coupon for a manicure/pedicure, and a plant pot that can be hung from the ceiling.
Risottia
07-05-2009, 09:23
Nothing. I and my familiy don't celebrate Mummy's Day, unless Tutankhamon rises again.
Peepelonia
07-05-2009, 12:25
You're a guy?

Fuck yeah! A manly man, with a beard and hair, and tats and all of that.

What is it, that's the second time that has happend? Ummm perhaps it is my caring and sweet internet persona, yeah yeah that must be it. Or the fuckin' tits?:D
Peepelonia
07-05-2009, 12:29
Well if you're doing it year round, you really don't need to complain about a holiday that suggests you should do something you are, supposedly, already doing, do you?

I think, and quite rightly too judgeing by your post back, that Wil was merely pointing out that we all know it is a pice of madeup crap(like we need a special day to show how much we love mum) yet the social pressure to conform to such a 'special' day is enormous.

Naaaa man I'm with Wil on this one, and lucky for me my mum agrees too.
Gun Manufacturers
08-05-2009, 03:56
This is what the gift I got for my mother looks like: http://www.igardenshoppe.com/magento/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/5e06319eda06f020e43594a9c230972d/a/e/aerogarden-3-wh-fa.jpg

As an added bonus, I'm including a second flower kit, so she'll have fresh flowers for several months, instead of just getting her a bouquet of flowers that would last a week or 2. :D
Wilgrove
08-05-2009, 03:59
I think, and quite rightly too judgeing by your post back, that Wil was merely pointing out that we all know it is a pice of madeup crap(like we need a special day to show how much we love mum) yet the social pressure to conform to such a 'special' day is enormous.

Naaaa man I'm with Wil on this one, and lucky for me my mum agrees too.

How come other people can convey my thoughts better than I can? :(
Marrakech II
08-05-2009, 04:02
My mom doesn't get a damn thing other than a phone call. That's all she deserves. Not all mom's are the greatest.
Neesika
08-05-2009, 04:16
My mom doesn't get a damn thing other than a phone call. That's all she deserves. Not all mom's are the greatest. This is also true.

My mom, on the other hand, really is the greatest. All days of the year.
Marrakech II
08-05-2009, 04:17
This is also true.

My mom, on the other hand, really is the greatest. All days of the year.

One good thing is the wife's mom is a model mother. So that makes up a little. I wish we could pick our parents sometimes.
Neesika
08-05-2009, 04:23
One good thing is the wife's mom is a model mother. So that makes up a little. I wish we could pick our parents sometimes. I don't. When I was younger I wanted more fashionable, normal parents. Had I the choice, I would have ended up with boring parents. I like my parents, with all their maddening quirks, just the way they are.
Marrakech II
08-05-2009, 04:25
I don't. When I was younger I wanted more fashionable, normal parents. Had I the choice, I would have ended up with boring parents. I like my parents, with all their maddening quirks, just the way they are.

The father is fine with his quirks but the mother of mine I am on speaking terms but barely. I could give a list a mile long why I shouldn't be talking to her. Consider yourself lucky.
Neesika
08-05-2009, 04:28
The father is fine with his quirks but the mother of mine I am on speaking terms but barely. I could give a list a mile long why I shouldn't be talking to her. Consider yourself lucky.

I do. I don't think, had I had the power to choose, that I would have been able to choose well enough to outdo what I have.
Muravyets
08-05-2009, 04:32
I'm going to surprise my mom with an amber and silver pendant I bought at a sheep shearing festival a couple of weeks ago (don't ask). She's a huge fan of amber, and this piece looks very modernistic and has really interesting inclusions. It was a splurge, but hey -- she's mom.
Neesika
08-05-2009, 04:34
How can I not ask?

Sheap shearing...festival?

I mean, okay sheap shearing...but a festival?

Sounds awesome!
Robot Discourse
08-05-2009, 04:37
I do not have a mother.
Muravyets
08-05-2009, 04:46
How can I not ask?

Sheap shearing...festival?

I mean, okay sheap shearing...but a festival?

Sounds awesome!
It's not that great. Well, it's kind of great, but I've been to better ones than the one in question.

It was April's Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival at Gore Place Farm in Waltham, MA. There are sheep. Some of them get sheared. There are herding dog demos. And there are tons and tons of vendors of all kinds of fair goods. The biggest tents are reserved for goods associated with sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas -- wool, yarns, knitting tools, spinning tools, weaving tools, dyes, even soaps and dairy products. The farmers and manufacturers are there, often with their best animals. Plus there are lots of jewelry and craft vendors. As well as fair foods -- especially good this year were Mr. Kielbasa's potato pancakes -- damn those were good -- and the orchard association's apple crisp -- best apple crisp I have ever tasted. Finally, there are historical reenactors because...well, why not? New England and all that.

It's a fun event. Personally, however, I prefer the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival in the fall, because it's more an agricultural/livestock event. In addition to all of the above, it's also a farmer's livestock exchange.

Anyway, at Gore, there was this vendor from Poland, selling really good polished Baltic amber set in sterling. I've bought from them before.

I was at the festival with my mom, and I had to ditch her to go hunt for the Polish vendors because I knew I wanted to get her another nice piece of amber. Fortunately, she was busy buying out the merino wool spinning fleece from another vendor across the grounds, so I was successful in my stealth shopping.
Neesika
08-05-2009, 04:47
I do not have a mother.

Because you were created from a cereal box, a roll of aluminum foil, a paper clip and a fan motor? Or because she abandoned you?
Neesika
08-05-2009, 04:48
It's not that great. Well, it's kind of great, but I've been to better ones than the one in question.

It was April's Gore Place Sheep Shearing Festival at Gore Place Farm in Waltham, MA. There are sheep. Some of them get sheared. There are herding dog demos. And there are tons and tons of vendors of all kinds of fair goods. The biggest tents are reserved for goods associated with sheep, goats, llamas and alpacas -- wool, yarns, knitting tools, spinning tools, weaving tools, dyes, even soaps and dairy products. The farmers and manufacturers are there, often with their best animals. Plus there are lots of jewelry and craft vendors. As well as fair foods -- especially good this year were Mr. Kielbasa's potato pancakes -- damn those were good -- and the orchard association's apple crisp -- best apple crisp I have ever tasted. Finally, there are historical reenactors because...well, why not? New England and all that.

It's a fun event. Personally, however, I prefer the Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival in the fall, because it's more an agricultural/livestock event. In addition to all of the above, it's also a farmer's livestock exchange.

Anyway, at Gore, there was this vendor from Poland, selling really good polished Baltic amber set in sterling. I've bought from them before.

I was at the festival with my mom, and I had to ditch her to go hunt for the Polish vendors because I knew I wanted to get her another nice piece of amber. Fortunately, she was busy buying out the merino wool spinning fleece from another vendor across the grounds, so I was successful in my stealth shopping.
I want to go to a sheep shearing festival!
Robot Discourse
08-05-2009, 04:50
Because you were created from a cereal box, a roll of aluminum foil, a paper clip and a fan motor? Or because she abandoned you?

Neither. No female human gave birth to me, the closest entity that gave me life was my programmer. He is male however, and it would be therefore innapropiate to refer to him as 'mother'. Father would be more accurate, and perhaps I could present him a gift on Fathers Day, should he appreciate such a thing.
Muravyets
08-05-2009, 05:02
I want to go to a sheep shearing festival!
They kind of rock. :D I really enjoy modern, real agricultural celebrations. All kinds of fun shit happens at them.

At Gore this year, a farm that makes goat milk soap brought along a goat who had just birthed a litter of kids, just 9 days old. I don't know how they didn't all get stolen. They were so incredibly cute!!! I wanted one so much! They became a landmark for finding one's way around the grounds -- identified as "the tent with mass of humanity in it, kvelling over the baby goats."

And one of my favorite farm-life moments came at the Champlain Valley Days Fair in Burlington, Vermont, which is a combo of amusement park, concerts, sideshow, and livestock and crop competitions. Best county fair EVER. This one year, the prize dairy cattle were being judged by -- get this -- a cattle expert from Japan. I swear, it was this Japanese guy dressed in what had to be a $2000 suit and Bruno Mahgli shoes. He spoke not one word of English. And he is judging these dairy cows in Japanese, via a cute little Japanese girl interpreter, for all these Vermont farmers and 4H kids. Magic. That's the American Experience, baby. :D


(Footnote: As I type this, my cat is hunting what I hope is just a moderately sized centipede in my living room. It's very distracting. I keep expecting the bug to try to escpape by running up my leg, which will cause me to jump, screaming, out the window.)
Blouman Empire
08-05-2009, 05:09
Gotta love Hallmarks Holiday. Everyone know it's a Hallmark Holiday, everyone knows it's pointless, but God help you if you forget those holidays...

Gor something to show me that Hallmark started this day up?
King Arthur the Great
08-05-2009, 05:09
Normally my schedule causes interference with Mother's Day, but I always send my mother a funny card from Shoebox (I hate the sappy Hallmark sh!t).

As for what we do, we eat lunch whenever I'm in town, and she gets to do the motherly thing and try and tell me what I should look into for my future, and then asks me about who I've been seeing and what my friends are doing.

On Father's Day, my dad, brother and I go shooting. My mom allows guns in the house, but absolutely refuses to touch them. Thus, it is the only day when the three of us can absolutely guarantee that we'll be in town and be able to hit the skeet and trap range.

Though Neesika, I should add from experience that actual sky-diving is way more kick-ass then indoor skydiving. Higher risk of death, especially if space-dropping down towards a drilling platform boring a hole into Vulcan's crust and trying to stop it from destroying the planet.
Blouman Empire
08-05-2009, 05:11
You know what I don't like about Mother's Day? Okay, Mother's Day adverts are all about 'giving mom a break' right, like, make her dinner, take her out for dinner, clean the house so she doesn't have to do it, spa day, let her relax. Father's Day is all about golf, doing exciting things, going out, sports, whatever. Moms are expected to be exhausted, and they just need a break. Dads want to do exciting shit. It's like we're supposed to be too tired to do fun stuff, and if we aren't maybe we're not doing the whole mom thing right. Jerkfaces. I want a gift certificate to indoor skydiving or something.

Are your children lurking in this forum?

If so, is that a subtle gift idea you want them to give you? :tongue:
Neesika
08-05-2009, 05:13
Though Neesika, I should add from experience that actual sky-diving is way more kick-ass then indoor skydiving.

I tried skydiving when I was 17. Not sure I have that same sense of immortality that allowed me to unclench long enough to actually jump...indoor skydiving, on the other hand, is not something I've tried. Anyway, not the point.
Neesika
08-05-2009, 05:13
Are your children lurking in this forum?

If so, is that a subtle gift idea you want them to give you? :tongue:

My children are 7 and 5 and no :D I don't like gifts. If I want something, I'll get it myself.
Blouman Empire
08-05-2009, 05:14
Yes. Thank you for fucking PERFECTLY highlighting the bullshit I'm talking about.

You assume mom is working hard at home because why...mom should be at home? And dad should be working? Heaven forbid they BOTH work. Heaven forbid the even more unthinkable...mom works and dad stays home. OMG! That wouldn't fit into the 'holiday' properly!



Mother's Day is one of the busiest days of the year (http://www.farragutpress.com/articles/2009/05/10496.html) for the food industry.
Why? Because mom is supposed to be the one cooking all the meals, so letting her (and the family) eat out is supposed to provide her with a break. Stereotype.

Google Father's Day. You get FUN IDEAS! Because Dad doesn't need a break from cooking, since that's mom's job.

Are you getting it?

I'm not talking about reality, because this isn't about reality...it's about gender stereotypes.

And I thought I over reacted about things.

Shouldn't you be directing your anger at the advertising companies?
Blouman Empire
08-05-2009, 05:18
My children are 7 and 5 and no :D I don't like gifts. If I want something, I'll get it myself.

Haha, good to hear.

However, you are one of those people I don't like buying presents for. Why? Because everything you want you go out and get it and then I am strapped for ideas of what you may want.

It is why I hate getting my dad presents if he wants something he will get it himself.
Neesika
08-05-2009, 05:19
And I thought I over reacted about things.

Shouldn't you be directing your anger at the advertising companies?

I can multitask. And if you think I was blaming whoever that was for gender stereotypes, then you're a real gob nobbler.
Neesika
08-05-2009, 05:21
Haha, good to hear.

However, you are one of those people I don't like buying presents for. Why? Because everything you want you go out and get it and then I am strapped for ideas of what you may want.

It is why I hate getting my dad presents if he wants something he will get it himself.

Sorry, but presents don't do it for me. Most of the time it's useless crap, and I hate being part of overconsumption even if (or maybe especially if) its involuntary. You feel like you have to keep said useless crap around. I don't like stuff.

That being said, I'm easy to 'buy' for if you freaking MUST. Buy me dinner. Buy me booze. Consumables = good. I'd rather someone gift me with their time than buy me something though. GoG can put his dick in a box (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhwbxEfy7fg) for my birthday/x-mas/whatever every year and I'll be just as happy as the first time :D
Blouman Empire
08-05-2009, 05:21
I can multitask. And if you think I was blaming whoever that was for gender stereotypes, then you're a real gob nobbler.

I did read it wrong, and should have gone through it all before making a post. :$ sorry bout that.

And yes I am a nob gobbler.
Blouman Empire
08-05-2009, 05:23
Sorry, but presents don't do it for me. Most of the time it's useless crap, and I hate being part of overconsumption even if (or maybe especially if) its involuntary. You feel like you have to keep said useless crap around. I don't like stuff.

That being said, I'm easy to 'buy' for if you freaking MUST. Buy me dinner. Buy me booze. Consumables = good. I'd rather someone gift me with their time than buy me something though.

I will keep that in mind.

*Notes down always buy Booze for Nessika or maybe a good dinner*

:D
King Arthur the Great
08-05-2009, 05:25
-snip some unneeded opinion wording-

That being said, I'm easy to 'buy' for if you freaking MUST. Buy me dinner. Buy me booze. Consumables = good. I'd rather someone gift me with their time than buy me something though.

-snip what you and GoG do on your own time-

I would like to start the "Buy Neesika Booze" Foundation, but between the problems in supporting the spread of alcoholism and the logistical details of shipping, I think we should hold off on that.
Neesika
08-05-2009, 05:27
I would like to start the "Buy Neesika Booze" Foundation, but between the problems in supporting the spread of alcoholism and the logistical details of shipping, I think we should hold off on that.

I'm sure the very intelligent and determined denizens of NSG could overcome these obstacles.
King Arthur the Great
08-05-2009, 05:40
I'm sure the very intelligent and determined denizens of NSG could overcome these obstacles.

*Artie starts the foundation, then remembers that he forgot about who Neesika is...*

Right, after double-checking and realizing that you are still of Cree descent, I have decided not to organize the free booze for you since the last thing I need is to be labeled as European Imperialist that actively intoxicates Native Americans so as to steal from them.

Well, the last thing I need actually happens to be a black hole forming two feet away without me gaining Quantum Superpowers instead of dying, but you get the picture. Sorry, but it's a no-go.

Can I interest you in more sky-diving attempts to get the "This is Living!" sensation I get when I jump out of a small aircraft? Seriously, it makes you appreciate just how awesome Superman has it.
Neesika
08-05-2009, 05:45
*Artie starts the foundation, then remembers that he forgot about who Neesika is...*

Right, after double-checking and realizing that you are still of Cree descent, I have decided not to organize the free booze for you since the last thing I need is to be labeled as European Imperialist that actively intoxicates Native Americans so as to steal from them. I think the insinuations you are making about aboriginal people in regards to alcohol are downright sickening. To make up for it, you should get to work on that foundation. I assure you, I could outdrink you, and still be sober enough to prevent you from any sort of 'colonial thievery' you think yourself capable of.
King Arthur the Great
08-05-2009, 05:53
I think the insinuations you are making about aboriginal people in regards to alcohol are downright sickening. To make up for it, you should get to work on that foundation. I assure you, I could outdrink you, and still be sober enough to prevent you from any sort of 'colonial thievery' you think yourself capable of.

There is no way I can dissuade you from this operation, is there? I'm going to have to try another tactic...

*Artie vanishes silent...
Neesika
08-05-2009, 05:56
There is no way I can dissuade you from this operation, is there? I'm going to have to try another tactic...

*Artie vanis...

Indian giver.
Dyakovo
08-05-2009, 06:25
I am totally broke thanks to college loans.

Quit loaning money to colleges then... ;)
SaintB
08-05-2009, 07:03
Quit loaning money to colleges then... ;)

I won't, those fuckers never pay it back!