Make a memory

In two weeks I leave for Italy for my birthday trip with my parents. It should definitely be interesting, and so many people have asked me why I'm doing a trip with them, rather than the previously suggested trip to Vegas.

Simply put, I need to make some memories.

You see, the idea of parental mortality has become an all-too-real thought for me. Ever since ma's open heart surgery, I have become obsessed with making sure that I am prepared for the day that they won't be here any more.

I want tons of pictures. Lots of videos. And just memories that will last me through the rest of my life without them. It's depressing, I know, but I'm all too aware of the reality of mortality.

When my cousin died we held on to every piece of him that we could. Voicemails, photos, videos. I have very few photos of he and I, and because I lived so far away, my memories are limited as well. For a very long time I didn't like to talk about my memories of him because I worried they would get diluted or overshadowed by someone else's.

I don't want to worry about that when my parents pass away.

To prevent that from happening I'm preparing for two weeks with ma and pa Dias. I figure, at the very least, I'll get a few good stories and a million memories. Ma and I have never been, so it should be pretty freaking cool.

And yes, I'm sorry I was born in January when things won't be quite as pretty, but fuck it, we're going to Italy!

Ma!

#1 - My mom

What can I say about my mom – she is pretty fucking awesome.

I have said this before, but she is my best friend, biggest fan and most fervent champion. Anytime I need anything – hell, even want anything – she is there.

And I know how co-dependent I am on her. There are certain undeniable truths in the world, and that is one of them.

She is even accepting of my friend’s idiosyncrasies – from waking up at 5am on New Years and helping make pancakes, to keeping Eve company when I was working, and accepting Jarod stealing our duvet – she just giggles a little and shrugs it off.

The last one is a true story – he stole it, wrapped it up and lugged it around NYC on New Years Eve. heh.

We have very little in common, other than shopping. She doesn’t get sarcasm, and therefore, doesn’t always get how funny I am. Oh the weird looks I have gotten over the years.

But still, she is the best mom anyone could ask for.

I tease her endlessly – from her faux accent to her pigment – and I think she loves every second of it.

I had never been freaked out like I was when she had her bypass surgery – the thought of this world, my world, without her, well it left me almost paralysed with fear.

Thankfully she is fine, but fuck was that nerve wracking.

She doesn’t drink or smoke, I got those bad habits from dad, but she is always willing to buy a bottle of wine to keep me sedated – ciggies, not so much, but maybe eventually.

Ok, I doubt that, but whatever, I get it.

Anyways, there you have it, my mom.

In a very short little post, because she is a short little lady.

One bad blogger

Ok, I know, I have been bad. No writing, no nothing for a while now.

I suck.

But, the cool thing is, I haven't been writing, not because I haven't had anything to write about, but because there has been so much going on, I haven't had time to write!

Yay life!

The biggest of these was baby bump.

So, I hate event planning. The details details details, all for a few magical hours? Where the fuck is your return.

Anyways, thank god for Lis, because, well, this wouldn't have gone off as well as it did without her. I think she is a little magical and that's ok.

All-in-all the thing was a success. We had over 200 people through the doors and everyone, from the vendors to the customers seemed really happy with the whole thing. So that's cool.

Lis and I both made it out unscathed. Stressful, yes, but to see something that we thought of, and executed come together. Well, that was fucking cool.

Was it perfect? No. But it exceeded our expectations, and that's all it needed to do.

Plus, dad thought we did well, so I'm ok with it.

Also, it proved what an amazing support system we have. To have that big of a volunteer pool was pretty awesome. I can't imagine how we got so lucky, but here we are. Fucking lucky.

And I think I may have the best mom in the whole world. Just FYI.