I spent the day with my family. I brought my grandmother over to my brother’s house and spent the day with everyone.

It just so happened that today was the birthday of one of the kids. My brother suggested that I get him a “Cristan gift“. It was at that moment that I figured out that I am the Auntie Mame of the family. When I thought about it, it occurred that they may not be very far from the truth in their estimation of my character.

What did I think was appropriate to give my 15 year old niece? Real jewelry from my trip to Southeast Asia of course!

What did I think was appropriate to give my 11 year old nephew? A real antique treasure chest and a real antique katana used in WW II.

What did I think was appropriate to give the 11 year old for his birthday today? A real bullwhip and an Indiana Jones hat that I picked up at a vintage clothing store.

I’m the Buddhist transsexual aunt who’s somehow also an atheist, rides a Harley and has been to the other side of the world and back. I have archaic magical protection tattoos all over my back that was put there when I was in Thailand. They randomly see me on the news and in the paper.

It was the first time that I really got that somewhere along the way I had moved from being the family freak to being the eccentric aunt.