Sunday, May 08, 2005

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day


What I always want for Mother's Day: To be left alone to do whatever I want, or to catch up on work, more likely. What I usually get:
The Kid: What are you doing for Mother's Day, because I got you the perfect present and want to come over and give it to you?
ADM:(realizing that the perfect present is not "I quit my second job and learned instead to stop spending extravagant amounts of money and can now go back to school" or "I decided to come clean your house/weed your garden/walk the dog so you could have some peace and quiet") Oh, you know I don't like you to buy things, but coming over is good. I have a bunch of stuff I have to get done, though, so when do you want to come over, so I can plan?
TK: I don't know, I thought Saturday and I'd spend the night.
ADM: OK, what time?
TK: I don't know, I might have to work.
ADM: SO can you check your schedule, or call in?
TK: [sighs heavily] I guess.
ADM: OK, call me when you have a plan.
TK: Fine

Saturday afternoon rolls around. TK's ex boyfriend calls,

TKX: Hi ADM, TK, asked if I wanted to come to your house tomorrow, and I wanted to make sure that would be all right.
ADM: Of course, you're always welcome. (TKX will also probably be renting a room from ADH when I move out -- nice guy)
TKX: The thing is, the starter on my van went out, and so I'll have to get a ride.
ADM: (penny having dropped -- TK has no car and no licence -- never has to be designated driver that way -- TK asked TKX to come because he will always drive, but can't this time) OK -- Work out with TK some kind of plan and I will come get you, I guess.

TK calls about 6 hours later

TK: I'm at BFFs house. TKX said you talked to him.
ADM: Yes, what's up?
TK: He can't drive us, but I want to come over.
ADM: OK, I can probably come get you, if you arrange to be in the same place (they live in different suburbs, but BFF is in same one as TKX) at the same time.
TK: Ok, but I left your gift at my house.
ADM: SO why were you coming over again?
TK: I wanted to hang out with you for Mother's Day. I don't want to come if we're just going to watch TV or while you work.
ADM: I understand that, but I have a lot to do. You know I have to get ready for another interview.
TK: [sigh] I don't suppose you could drive us home after? Or I can spend the night and ride in with you in the morning, but TKX has to get home.
ADM: Sorry, I can't. All that driving will take close to 3 1/2 hours. YOu can ask your dad ...
TK: No
ADM: so, are you coming over?
TK: you're making this really difficult. Yeah.
ADM: when do I need to pick you up?
TK: I don't know.
ADM: call me by ten tomorrow a.m. and let me know, so I can plan.
TK:Ok
ADM: really, by 10.
TK: Fine. ich liebe dich -tschuess!

So like her father. At least, having worked in restaurants with me, she knows how I feel about people who take their mothers out for mothers day ON mothers' day. Homie don' play that.

So happy Mother's Day to all you academic moms! Clearly they weren't thinking about the piles of grading at this time of year ;-)

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Well, moms weren't supposed to be professors were they, when they originally concocted this holiday?

Another Damned Medievalist said...

As long as Mike is there to help with the clean-up!

bitchphd said...

This sounds like an odd combination of my mother's day as a mother (what I really want is the same thing I want every other day, which is time to do shit) and my mother's day as a daughter (feeling I "should" do something with my mom, but not really wanting to, so being a pain in the ass about it. Not that that's what TK's motivations are, you understand).

Such a weird holiday.

Another Damned Medievalist said...

No -- her motivations are really pretty good. It's just that I really want time. And sleep. But I got the new Harry Potter book!

Anonymous said...

I always wondered why my mom bitched about monther's day. Now I know. I spent the day taking care of the boys (age 15 months and 3 years old), while my husband is in Montreal for work. I asked him last night on the phone where my mother's day card/gift were. He said he'd tell me today. So today I get an email with a link to a e-card. Happy Mother's Day. :P

Another Damned Medievalist said...

Yes, Ancarett -- I got the pre-order. TK does not have special powers! Drhistory, I feel with you! OF course, ADH alwaus reminds me I'm not 'really' anybody's mother, so why should we celebrate?