The Great Experiment, Part Deux!
Aug. 27th, 2007 09:58 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rusty_armourMy experiment was a success: the impatiens survived until my mom's visit...and beyond! And my mom was impressed and amazed to find living things on my balcony. When she finally noticed them on Saturday morning, she cried, "You've got plants!". After recovering from her immense shock, she told me that I had made her weekend. As I had given her a copy of Hot Fuzz (a movie we both love) the night before, I think that's really saying something. I mean, I was sure Hot Fuzz would overshadow my little horticultural surprise, but apparently it didn't...unless Mom's a more accomplished liar than I realized. *g*
As usual, we had a great time at the EX. After visiting the animal shelter on the Exhibition grounds and going to the cat show, I was hoping I'd be able to talk Mom into getting another cat (as Oakley and Hamish seem to be missing Tris), but she wouldn't budge. Well, she fell in love with this huge orange Maine Coon cat called Beans at the cat show, but he wasn't for sale. Anywaaaay, we tried to make up for the lack of feline adoption by spending money in other areas of the EX. I bought an awesome candle holder that I can't even begin to describe and some rocks to add to the collection that is taking over my desk.
By the time we had left the EX, our feet were sore and we were pretty tired, so we had a snacky-type meal back at my place and watched Hot Fuzz and Galaxy Quest. I had learned a short time ago that Mom had never seen Galaxy Quest, so I insisted that she watch it -- for Alan Rickman if nothing else. As she managed to stay awake for the whole film (e.g. past 1:00 am), she obviously enjoyed it.
On Sunday, we did some more of the coach potato thing, watching the DVD footage Mom's friend had shot during their river cruise on the Danube and an IMAX film on Ancient Greece (Greece: Secrets of the Past) I had bought at the ROM the week before. Then we got some exercise and walked to Bayview, where Mom tried to talk me into buying a beautiful wooden bench that was only $185. I'm still debating whether I should go back and get it. Mom did point out exactly where it would fit in my tiny apartment and even offered to wait around if I couldn't be there when it was delivered. Fortunately, for the store, Mom bought a very nice clock (that cost less than $185), so they got some of our business. However, Sleuth of Baker Street benefitted more from our lack of willpower. I spent about $30 (which is actually pretty restrained for me) on a graphic novel of A Study in Scarlet and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Coming of the Fairies, which includes the notorious fairy photos that got him into so much hot water. Mom bought three books by a new author, whose name I've forgotten. Uh, I know the mysteries take place in Ireland, and I commented that only buying three books was pretty good for her. Then Mom admitted that only three books had been written so far, so she had, in fact, bought the entire series. *g*
For our last bit of splurging, we went to Hollywood Gelato, this heavenly place where you can get a cup or cone with three different delectable gelato flavours!
Well, that was basically our weekend. Was it also a success? I'd say, "Yarp!" :-)
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no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 01:27 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-08-28 03:17 pm (UTC)You and your Mom
Date: 2007-08-28 01:34 pm (UTC)I can understand your Mom having to have the whole series of books. I have a 9'x10' room that is lined with bookshelves. And, yes, they are pretty much full. I still have about 400 books I haven't read yet, so I have started in the fiction section with authors whose names begin with A. I am up to Austen. I got a little sidetracked by Kenneth Tam books; but I'll get back to Jane soon enough. *g*
It sounds like you and your Mom had a great, if exhausting, time. I like to spend a lot of time with my Mom; but she can't walk much and tires quickly. She is 77. Enjoy these times with her. They are the foundation of memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Re: You and your Mom
Date: 2007-08-28 03:31 pm (UTC)I'm not sure how she could have possibly missed Galaxy Quest either! Alan Rickman aside, the film is made for just about any sci-fi fan (my mom), especially Trekkers (also my mom with Classic Trek). However, like Free Enterprise, I think it makes a great statement about the uber geek (me) and that culture in general.
I can understand your Mom having to have the whole series of books. I have a 9'x10' room that is lined with bookshelves. And, yes, they are pretty much full. I still have about 400 books I haven't read yet, so I have started in the fiction section with authors whose names begin with A. I am up to Austen. I got a little sidetracked by Kenneth Tam books; but I'll get back to Jane soon enough. *g*
That's great! Yes, if my mom likes a particular book, she'll pretty much devour everything that author has written. While I love reading, I'm afraid I'm painfully slow. It probably doesn't help that I tend to read at least two books at the same time and spend too much time gorging on fanfic. However, I try to work in what I can, even the odd classic now and again. I think I've read everything by Austen except Emma.
It sounds like you and your Mom had a great, if exhausting, time. I like to spend a lot of time with my Mom; but she can't walk much and tires quickly. She is 77. Enjoy these times with her. They are the foundation of memories that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
We have a lot in common and seem to share many of the same interests, so it's never a hardship spending time with her. And she understands if I need some space or if I want to go off and see something else. We just agree to split up and meet up again later. We're both pretty independent and don't have hang ups about spending time alone. Anywaaay, I'm glad you enjoy spending time with your mom. Even if she can't walk as well as she used to, I'm sure it's still worthwhile. :-)
Re: You and your Mom
Date: 2007-08-29 02:10 am (UTC)Memory lapsing
Date: 2007-08-29 02:46 am (UTC)That movie should have been called "The Sheriff of Nottingham" -- then I'd have remembered it for sure.. "Sheriff of Nottingham: Prince of the Bath".
Re: Memory lapsing
Date: 2007-08-29 03:29 pm (UTC)Re: You and your Mom
Date: 2007-08-29 01:06 pm (UTC)Re: You and your Mom
Date: 2007-08-29 04:47 pm (UTC)Re: You and your Mom
Date: 2007-08-29 08:45 pm (UTC)The only thing I liked about Kevin Costner is that he didn't seem to make a fuss about being out-acted. Of course, "wet paper bag" comes to mind. ;-)
Oh, and one more thing I liked about Prince of Thieves...it left the field wide open for Mel Brooks with his "Men in Tights". *g*
Re: You and your Mom
Date: 2007-08-30 03:30 pm (UTC)*Phew* I'm happy to hear that! I tend to get a bit carried away with my comments sometimes, especially when it comes to subjects like movies. I like Morgan Freeman a lot and thought he didn't do a bad job considering the script he was working with. And Kevin Costner could have totally kicked up a fuss about being out-acted, but I guess he was enough of a gentleman to keep quiet on the subject. He actually is a pretty decent actor if he has a good script and a part that suits him. If you want to see a good Costner film, I highly recommend Thirteen Days (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0146309/). I saw the film originally for Steven Culp, but I've come to admire Kevin Costner's performance too.
Oh, and one more thing I liked about Prince of Thieves...it left the field wide open for Mel Brooks with his "Men in Tights". *g*
That's true! That's very true! I think Men in Tights was worth it for the Carey Elwes line, "Unlike other actors, I can play the role with a real British accent." Or something like that. Oh, and it was totally worth it for the "Men in Tights" musical number as well!
no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 02:09 am (UTC)And you're right -- the cryptic message leading to the journal entry is too tempting not to click on.
no subject
Date: 2007-08-29 04:55 pm (UTC)Thank you! :-) I was actually afraid that one of the plants was dying, but my mom assured me that this wasn't the case. Still, I'm amazed that they've managed to hang in this long!
And you're right -- the cryptic message leading to the journal entry is too tempting not to click on.
This is a catchphrase from Hot Fuzz (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425112/), though it was obviously used in He-Man first. *g* Anyway, I'm glad you were tempted to click on the cryptic message. I have a feeling that my lj-cut links are going to become even more cryptic and bizarre as time goes by. Hope your own lj-cutting goes well. Of course, I'll click on the link whether it's cryptic or not. :-)