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So background first:
My mother and her children (me and my brother and sister) have always kind of been the black sheep in the family. This is for various reasons but mainly it boils down two an age difference and economical difference.
My mom is 16 years younger than her oldest sibling, My uncle being born in '45 and her being born in '61. My aunts and uncle where all born in the 40s and early 50s with one being born around '56. So the things happening in their life where usually a few steps away from her current position in life. Also coming to age in the 70s instead of the 50s and 60s like they did mean she came to age in different culture.
So to the story. One of my aunts (to be known from here on as K) has a bee in her bonnet about my Nana's upcoming 90th birthday. She got it into her head that we all have to make some kind of video about her grand children and great grandchildren. An idea my mother immediately said 'Nope' to simply cause she felt (an opinion share by us and Nana) that its an overly complicated, cheesy-corny project that no one really would want to do. This dismissal didn't stop K though, no siree.
This morning I get a text from aunt K. The text goes as thus
I'm half asleep but I go from 0-rage in the few seconds it takes to read.
Here is why:
1. Mom already told her No, so she is going behind Mama Slicey's back to do this.
2. Her laziness to try and use me as her middle man with my siblings, when she knows I'm starting a very full course load soon.
3. The biggie. This text specifically talks about Nana's great grandchildren. Of which me and siblings have produced none. This is becasue the boy is gay and doesn't really like kids, meimei is straight and HATES (all caps hates) almost all children under the age of 15 with exactly 2 exceptions and isn't too fond of children between 15 and 18 either and as for me? I AM F-ING INFERTILE! A well known fact in my family because I was diagnosed around the same time a cousin was going through treatments for the same thing , but less severe case, than I have. I like children and would love to have them but if, IF, i have them I'm going to be closer to 40 than 30 cause unlike some of my cousins I'm not going to be getting pregnant from 3 different men for a total of 7 babies anytime soon.
So her rude, inconsiderate and sneaky text message hit the rage button. I text her back a fairly nice in the context text, saying No and her asking one of the parts of the family with no great grandchildren to do a great grandchild thing is just wrong.
She replies saying if i read the email I would know the video is suppose to be great and regular grandchildren and of course she knows we are grandchildren. She appologizes for sending the wrong text but didn't recongize any of my other issues.
sometimes family is idiots.
update!
OMG it gets worse!!! I just read her e-mail.
Hold on to your hats ladies, gents and all those in between its a doosy (names changed to protect large Mormon family).
so what i notice: One overly complicated and condescending rules for taking a video clip. two overly condescending reasoning for the project (nana is starting to have some lapses in memory here and there but she can be pretty good at remembering who's who, or at least who belongs to who it helps that there is a hall of pictures with one of everyone at right around their current age but me on it). 3 starts by refering to the family as child, grandchildren and great grandchildren then switches to adults, grandchildren and great grandchildren, basically implying that anyone isn't Nana's kid doesn't matter and should just do what their elders say. 4. and most importantly she just goes on like anyone receiving this email will do it with no questions or concerns.
NOOP, NOOP, NOOOOOOOP not happening
My mother and her children (me and my brother and sister) have always kind of been the black sheep in the family. This is for various reasons but mainly it boils down two an age difference and economical difference.
My mom is 16 years younger than her oldest sibling, My uncle being born in '45 and her being born in '61. My aunts and uncle where all born in the 40s and early 50s with one being born around '56. So the things happening in their life where usually a few steps away from her current position in life. Also coming to age in the 70s instead of the 50s and 60s like they did mean she came to age in different culture.
So to the story. One of my aunts (to be known from here on as K) has a bee in her bonnet about my Nana's upcoming 90th birthday. She got it into her head that we all have to make some kind of video about her grand children and great grandchildren. An idea my mother immediately said 'Nope' to simply cause she felt (an opinion share by us and Nana) that its an overly complicated, cheesy-corny project that no one really would want to do. This dismissal didn't stop K though, no siree.
This morning I get a text from aunt K. The text goes as thus
(Weird name for Nana I've never heard used before in my f-ing life) is turning 90 on September 25. She often says about great grandchildren, "They'll never know me." Let's surprise her with a birthday video! please check you email for details. Then forward that email to [meimei] and [the boy] please.
Here is why:
1. Mom already told her No, so she is going behind Mama Slicey's back to do this.
2. Her laziness to try and use me as her middle man with my siblings, when she knows I'm starting a very full course load soon.
3. The biggie. This text specifically talks about Nana's great grandchildren. Of which me and siblings have produced none. This is becasue the boy is gay and doesn't really like kids, meimei is straight and HATES (all caps hates) almost all children under the age of 15 with exactly 2 exceptions and isn't too fond of children between 15 and 18 either and as for me? I AM F-ING INFERTILE! A well known fact in my family because I was diagnosed around the same time a cousin was going through treatments for the same thing , but less severe case, than I have. I like children and would love to have them but if, IF, i have them I'm going to be closer to 40 than 30 cause unlike some of my cousins I'm not going to be getting pregnant from 3 different men for a total of 7 babies anytime soon.
So her rude, inconsiderate and sneaky text message hit the rage button. I text her back a fairly nice in the context text, saying No and her asking one of the parts of the family with no great grandchildren to do a great grandchild thing is just wrong.
She replies saying if i read the email I would know the video is suppose to be great and regular grandchildren and of course she knows we are grandchildren. She appologizes for sending the wrong text but didn't recongize any of my other issues.
sometimes family is idiots.
update!
OMG it gets worse!!! I just read her e-mail.
Hold on to your hats ladies, gents and all those in between its a doosy (names changed to protect large Mormon family).
Remember when we made the video for [papa and nana]'s 50th wedding anniversary?We're going to create another one with each child, grandchild and great grand sharing a little snippet. This will be for Grandma Miller's 90th birthday on September 25. K'sBIL will create the video and add graphics to identify family members.
Grandma does remember things, but sometime she gets mixed up. This video will be something that she can look at to help her remember names and faces of her family. Instead of saying happy birthday, please make it friendly like a phone conversation. This is a slice of family history that will be viewed over and over again.
Six rules:
1. Hold your phone horizontal, landscape like a TV screen
2. Turn off all music or noise in the background.
3. Keep camera close enough for good audio, with voice loud and clear. You can start and stop with the same child, maybe showing the whole body then close up for a headshot.
4. Let the camera record a few seconds before you start talking and let it roll a few more after. The extra time helps in the edit. Perhaps start by spelling the name.
5. Make sure there is not a bright light or window behind the subject, but in front to light the face.
6. Use a tripod or something to hold the camera still.
ADULTS
Please take a single video with you or with your spouse. Make it conversational, 30 seconds to one minute.
GRANDKIDS
Single or couple video, short but sweet, 30 seconds or less. Take a selfie with your family group so you can send it as a JPEG. Or send a family photo if you have one. State name and age for each family member, spell if necessary. This will make it easier for K'sBIL to keep your family together.
GREAT GRANDKIDS
Each child should state their name and age. More audio is OK, like I am in third grade and I like soccer. Pete will insert name and age so this will be a precious slice of family history.
FROM PETE: Please shoot with the camera set to HD quality (720P is great). In order to get the video done before the birthday, please submit your videos by September 10. With the large numbers of family members, please keep your videos short, but allow space for editing. If you can rename the movie file to include the name of the subject or at least the family name, that would be very helpful.
Lastly, getting the media to me is a challenge. Google Drive is an excellent idea and every Gmail account comes with it. Please create a Gmail Account and make me the administrator. Popgun k'sbil@gmail.com. Since Nana has more than 100 progenitors, I need your help. Please name your account nana 90 with your name, like nana90uncles@Gmail.com.
Or if you want to use your existing Gmail account, make me the administrator for the current time so I can access your videos. When you are ready, email SUBJECT [nana] and send me the names of your family members and ages to let me know your videos are in the drive
Grandma does remember things, but sometime she gets mixed up. This video will be something that she can look at to help her remember names and faces of her family. Instead of saying happy birthday, please make it friendly like a phone conversation. This is a slice of family history that will be viewed over and over again.
Six rules:
1. Hold your phone horizontal, landscape like a TV screen
2. Turn off all music or noise in the background.
3. Keep camera close enough for good audio, with voice loud and clear. You can start and stop with the same child, maybe showing the whole body then close up for a headshot.
4. Let the camera record a few seconds before you start talking and let it roll a few more after. The extra time helps in the edit. Perhaps start by spelling the name.
5. Make sure there is not a bright light or window behind the subject, but in front to light the face.
6. Use a tripod or something to hold the camera still.
ADULTS
Please take a single video with you or with your spouse. Make it conversational, 30 seconds to one minute.
GRANDKIDS
Single or couple video, short but sweet, 30 seconds or less. Take a selfie with your family group so you can send it as a JPEG. Or send a family photo if you have one. State name and age for each family member, spell if necessary. This will make it easier for K'sBIL to keep your family together.
GREAT GRANDKIDS
Each child should state their name and age. More audio is OK, like I am in third grade and I like soccer. Pete will insert name and age so this will be a precious slice of family history.
FROM PETE: Please shoot with the camera set to HD quality (720P is great). In order to get the video done before the birthday, please submit your videos by September 10. With the large numbers of family members, please keep your videos short, but allow space for editing. If you can rename the movie file to include the name of the subject or at least the family name, that would be very helpful.
Lastly, getting the media to me is a challenge. Google Drive is an excellent idea and every Gmail account comes with it. Please create a Gmail Account and make me the administrator. Popgun k'sbil@gmail.com. Since Nana has more than 100 progenitors, I need your help. Please name your account nana 90 with your name, like nana90uncles@Gmail.com.
Or if you want to use your existing Gmail account, make me the administrator for the current time so I can access your videos. When you are ready, email SUBJECT [nana] and send me the names of your family members and ages to let me know your videos are in the drive
NOOP, NOOP, NOOOOOOOP not happening
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