PhoneBoy Says

Some co-workers and our trainer out on a water taxi in Baltimore.

They need to update these signs.

One thing I have noticed on this plane trip is that I have made an effort to be more polite to people. When I got up to go to the restroom, I apologized to the person next to me for having to get up so I could make my way to the aisle. When I went up and talked to my co-worker on the flight for 10 minutes or so, I apologized to the person next to him for disturbing him, even though he didn't appear the least bit disturbed.

Not sure if this means something, but I found it an interesting observation about myself.

Taking the airporter for once instead of driving.

Or at least for a minute or two…

Affection is very important to me. This evening, I spent a little time soul searching to figure out why. For me, at least, what it boils down to is the fact that I got such mixed messages from my mother on a wide variety of things. However, regardless of what messed up thing was going on growing up or what messed up, the only thing consistent my mother gave me was affection. At times it was the only way I knew that I was loved.

As I ponder this thought more, I think back to the time about 9 years ago when I last saw my mother. She was visiting me and staying in a "guest house" the apartment complex had. It was the last night before she was to go home and she was in my apartment going off about riches that were supposedly buried deep within this piece of property her dad owned many years ago. She had come up with this really elaborate story. This wasn't the first time I had heard this story. I had ran the story by aunt, who knew that the story was not anywhere near true. Even before I ran the story by my aunt, I just had this feeling that my mother was trying to manipulate me somehow using this story.

I don't remember what exactly happened before I basically told her to "shut up and let me live my life." I don't even remember what I told her to be honest. They probably weren't the best words I could have used. I certainly remember what happened after that. My mother demanded I take her to the airport that instant, even though her flight wasn't for another 12 hours or so. The entire car ride from my apartment to the airport was my mother spewing her hate at me in a way that nobody should ever have to hear. I swear that my mother was posessed by Satan himself. At one point, I even threatened to pull over and drop her off and make her walk to the airport if she didn't stop.

When I dropped my mom at the airport, there was no affection. There was a handshake and a "have a good life" (or words to that effect). In that moment, my mother didn't love me. I was dead to her. I have since talked with my mother, but when she started on her rants again, I finally had to tell her I had enough and that I wanted nothing more to do with her. It's been probably 5 years since I last talked to her. My mother may love me still. I have no idea. I've said my peace to her.

I now understand why affection is important and why I give my kids perhaps a little too much affection--I really love 'em. It's one of the few things I know how to do in that regard.

I have sent an email to my dad basically forgiving him for what happened growing up. I have posted the note in my Vox blog as a Friends and Family posting. I may at some point in the future make that posting public, but I haven't decided yet. I certainly wanted to keep a copy of it. I am very proud of what I wrote. I'm sure it's not perfect, but I believe it said what I needed to say.

I feel I can move on now--with him or without him. There will be questions unanswered either way, but I have said my peace. At the very least I can go to bed because it's late. :)

The pictures I took of my daughter and uploaded to my blog here? Good thing I did that because I upgraded my phone that I took the pictures on, and that has a nasty habit of wiping the phone's configuration. :)

In the semesters I didn't have a computer class, I'd have to say math was my most favorite subject. Once I got into having regular computer science-type classes, those classes were by far my favorite. Is that any surprise to anyone? ;)

Thinking back, I wish I had stayed awake through my history classes. I find the subject a lot more interesting now than I did back then.