It is damn hard to compliment my father! I spent several minutes last night trying to get across to him that the photo he was showing me was a really beautifully composed shot, and he just kept talking sideways about the printer, the camera, the nice day at the beach and luck. Eventually I said "Can you just stop putting yourself down for 2 minutes and accept the compliment that it's a really beautiful photo you've created?"
To his credit, he did try, but mumbled something further about "luck" under his breath. It kind of makes me feel very arrogant to accept their comments on my paintings! Maybe they are secretly thinking "Gosh, we're giving you so many opportunities to be humble and you just keep on saying 'Thanks!'"...
My sister seemed a little strange to me, I feel like I've done something to *seriously* piss her off at some stage, but I have no idea what I've done! God knows, it could be anything, my life not being a model of role at the moment.
One amusing moment did come when my sister asked me if I went to church. I replied jokingly that I was a card-carrying atheist and got the eyebrows of death, so I quickly amended my blasphemy to "well, I believe in a form of god, but not the Christian one..." (which didn't help the ol' eyebrows, but I was digging a nice hole so why stop mid-sentance?).
My brother asked me what I did believe in, so I gave him the 2-minute-theological-precis-that-will-change-your-life. With the charming bluntness of the socially unfettered he informed me with a grin that it sounded pretty silly to him. Then, thoughtfully, he mentioned the Israelites in the desert and the manna-from-heaven trick, which gave me an opportunity to wink at him and say his bread-throwing-god sounded just as silly to me! I do love that fact that with the younger three kids you can always have a fun, good-humored and interesting conversation about pretty much anything.
Mum and Dad seemed pretty well and pleased to see me, which was nice. We were sitting around looking through these books (nice coffee-table ones with many pictures) on South America, which is where my big bro is travelling at the moment. Last I heard he was in Bolivia (for some reason, that just sounds so made-up!) and heading back to Brazil for Carnival... one thing about him, he knows how to have a good time so I look forward to the war stories!
(The great thing about his war stories is his penchant for documenting them extensively through photos and video. I dine out on his stories! Ah, Vicarious Living, as magazine has it.)
Going to the doctor tomorrow. It is utter madness to feel this weak and shitty a full seven days later.
MADNESS!!!
Also, seeing my psychiatrist tomorrow. Maybe there is a link.
MADNESS!!!
It sounds like a pretty good visit overall so cool. I personally waver in my ability to take compliments, I like them, but then I get torn between wanting to be pleased and not wanting to appear arrogant. I never think that others who say thanks should be being modest tho. I'm much too focused on myself to worry about how others deal with them ;)
Posted by: giffy at February 9, 2005 11:38 AMYeah it was a cool visit... next time I will be flying both legs, I think.
I'll ship my arms over seperately to save on excess baggage.
The revolution will begin as soon as I can see the whites of my eyes.
Posted by: phreq at February 10, 2005 05:48 PMThanks
Posted by: Online Home Loans at November 19, 2005 11:33 PM