Sometimes a little support or enthusiasm goes a long way.
Well, I've been kind of down and frustrated at the double sided support I've been getting with becoming a Vulture. My parents and my mate are very supportive...but with disclaimers. I'll mention something I saw today on the road or the progress on cleaning out my freezer or a new skull I just got or really want and I get the sideways glance with the half smile saying "do you really need that?" Or some other back- handed comment about how my interests are a burden! I understand that it's taking up space, but I'm getting rid of all of my old stuff to make room for it. I understand it's gross. You're not dealing with it aside from the occasional time I have to move my degreasing pot into the laundry room so it doesn't freeze or the fact that yes I'm going to use our SECOND outside free-standing freezer for my dead things. But I was given permission for this. Every time I say I saw something I hope is still around by the time the freezer is up and running, I get a comment like "I don't want you getting too overwhelmed. If I see you not working on these projects then I'm not going to let you pick anything up." and every time I say anything it's just some sort of lecture after another about how i need to be responsible and not get in the way of the rest of the house hold and how I need to be sanitary.
This wouldn't be as annoying if I didn't feel it to be so condescending. I'm fully aware of all of this. I know how much I can handle. I know how to be clean about this. I know not to let the dogs get a hold of anything. I'm used to "not being in the way" in our household.
I wish that people could focus on the good things that being a Vulture has brought upon me like willingly getting rid of shit, expanding my biological knowledge exponentially, and being more willing to socialize with people. But no, these benefits get swept under the rug because the rest of it can be a burden.
I wish I had someone around here to go bone hunting with and who would be excited to come help me clean bones and learn how to skin. I might try to contact my old coworker from my internship last Summer. Each time we were out surveying we would find bones and she and I would fight over who got what, haha.
My best friend is the most supportive. She is pretty excited whenever I show her a new skull or a new pelt and she and I make things out of leather and fur together. However, I don't think she'll want to help me clean bodies.
Blah. It's too late in the evening and I'm starting to get bummed.
I talked to my mate about his lack of support. I mean, I don't want him to be over the top ecstatic that I saw a dead rabbit on my way home from school but I'd prefer a different response than "don't tell me about the dead things you see and DO NOT need." I know it's not a lack of comfort with the topic either. It's an annoyance of the topic. I did talk to him about it, though, and he apologized. My parents will never change on these kinds of things because no matter what it's all the time. I wore my headdress home from work and immediately got a lecture "I don't want you wearing that on one of your hikes." Why? Why the hell not? Then the drunk friends that were there chimed in "I know what she means...coming from a mother...You're a young lady...and if anyone knows what fur is worth...they could take advantage of you......" What does that even mean?
Anywhodles, I'm rambling. Peace.