An Update of Sorts

Tuesday Diane goes back to work.
Which means Claire is starting daycare.
Neither of us (Diane, or myself - I think Claire is largely indifferent) are very excited about the idea of Claire spending her days with someone other than one of us, but as we're not independently wealthy, we don't have a lot of choice.
Luckily Diane's mom is going to be able to take her on Tuesdays and Thursdays so Claire will only have to go to daycare three out of five days. Which is not only better for all of us emotionally, but better for us financially as well. Daycare is not cheap.

In other news, I've finally gotten around to seeing Wyatt Earp, and Tombstone.

Both are movies I'd intended to see when they came out on video - 15 YEARS AGO - but never got around to. (15 years. Wow)
They're both worth watching, but I think Val Kilmer, really takes the cake as Doc Holiday in Tombstone. As corny as it is, I think Tombstone is a pretty decent movie.
I think Wyatt Earp is a 'better' movie, but Tombstone is damned entertaining.

Diane's sister, Karen, was home this weekend. I really like my Sister-in-law. Not only is she a swell lady, but she likes to play games - and almost more importantly - she knows how to make Diane play games.

I love my wife, but she is the most stubborn person I've ever met. Ever. There are games she likes - I know this is true - but she will not play them unless she is forced to. I do not have this power of persuasion. Karen does.

So whenever Karen's home, the three of us usually spend an afternoon, or an evening, playing a game or two.

This time we played Cleopatra and the Society of Architects.

It was one of the games I got for my birthday in July, and hadn't had a chance to play yet. I liked it. There's not a ton of strategic depth in it, but I liked it. I'd say it's a step up in complexity from Ticket to Ride, but not a huge step. Diane and Karen seemed to like it. Diane didn't cry like she did when we played Marvel Heroes. (True story!) I'd like to play it a few more times before I pass judgment on it.

I've been listening to The Refreshments again.

It's funny - it's been ten years since I listened to that album last, and I still know all the words.

Oh, and Pete & Pete:

Still awesome.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

“Well, whaddaya say, tough guy?” This was the little blue one again, the one that looked like a Smurf gone very wrong. I wondered if he knew what a Smurf was. Probably not. He poked me again with the barrel of his gun. Death Ray. Disruptor Beam. I didn't know what it was. He seemed to think it was worth waving around menacingly so I decided to play it safe and act suitably menaced.

I glanced at his companion, who appeared to be a human but probably wasn't. He smiled at me in an altogether unsettling manner.

“We won't be gone long,” he said. He glanced at his partner, and at the weapon that was trained on my midsection. “And it looks as if Stephen is going to insist.”

“His name is Stephen?”

“Well, it's close to Stephen.” He smiled again.

Stephen gestured with his ray gun. “Let's go, human.”

I sighed. My vacation was not starting out at all well.

A Late Night

It was late when I got back to my office. The tumbler of bourbon was on my desk where I'd left it next to an almost empty bottle. The ice had melted, leaving warm, bourbon flavored water behind. I swallowed it down and sloshed two fingers more into the glass. I preferred it on the rocks, but neat would do just fine right now. Knocking it back, I made that face people make when drinking hard liquor, and slumped down into my chair. It creaked under my weight and I reminded myself to buy a new chair.

I poured the rest of the bottle into the glass and leaned back, rubbing my eyes. They felt gritty, full of sand. I looked at the clock. It was almost 4:00am. Another long night. Fruitless, you might say. Mindlessly, I composed a haiku:

another night lost
searching for what can't be found
rest is for the weak

And then, because that seemed a little bleak, and overly dramatic, this one:

too many late nights
make me a little crazy
could be the bourbon

That seemed more appropriate. I finished the drink, grimaced, and stood up. The warmth in my belly told me that the most recently dispatched glass had met up with the other two, and they were all getting along famously.

Time to go home and face the music.

Dinner

“Got a dime, pal?”

I made a show of rooting around in my pockets. “No, I'm sorry, I don't.”

“A nickel?”

I stopped walking, and gave the man my full regard. He wasn't the bum I'd first taken him for. In fact, he was fairly well dressed, all things considered. His hat wasn't in the best of shape, but neither was my own. His topcoat appeared to be fairly well-kept and his shoes, though dusty, were far from falling apart.

“A nickel,” he pleaded. “Anything.”

He was in need of a shave, and his eyes had the look of a man who hadn't eaten in a day of two. Nothing sinister about him, just slightly wild in appearance. I took a step toward him.

“Listen, I haven't got any change. I haven't got any money at all,” I said apologetically.

His gaze dropped to the sidewalk between us.

“That's alright, pal. Thanks anyways.” He began to turn away.

“Just a second,” I said.

He turned back.

“Yeah?” He looked at me hopefully.

“I haven't got any money,” I repeated. “but if you're hungry, I can get you something to eat. Are you hungry?”

“Oh, pally, you have no idea. What I gotta do?”

“I'm sorry?”

“What do I gotta do to get some food?”

“All you have to do,” I said, “is tell me what you would like.”

His eyes narrowed. “You ain't got no money, buddy. How are you gonna get anything for either of us?”

I winked at him. I had to admit, I was enjoying this more than I should have been. “It doesn't matter, how. What would you like?”

“Anything?”

I nodded.

“Anything I want?” he asked, clearly incredulous.

“Anything you would like to eat, I will provide it to you, post-haste.”

He smiled. “Alright, buddy. I'll take a big steak, done medium, and with a big helping of mashed potatoes.”

“Very well,” I said, holding the plate out to him.

A look of confusion passed over his features. I felt bad for him then, but the feeling didn't last long. He peered at the plate, licking his lips. The background noise of the street began to fade away. The colors too, drained away until the two of us were alone on the street, the plate held between us.

“What is that?” he asked.

“Why, it's a big steak, done medium, and with a big helping of mashed potatoes.” I inhaled deeply. “And it smells wonderful.”

A droplet of sweat slid down the side of his face, and he licked his lips again.

“I know, I know, but where did it come from?”

“Does it matter?” I asked. “It's here. It's hot. It's exactly the way you imagined it. It tastes exactly the way you imagined it. It is likely the most tender and delectable cut of meat you have ever tasted.” I paused, letting my words work on him. “Eat, my friend. I see it has been some time since your last meal. Eat, and enjoy.”

Beads of sweat stood on his forehead. “I,” he began. “I, uh... I don't have anything to eat it with. No fork, or knife.” He laughed nervously.

“Why, it would seem you have a fork in your left hand.” I pointed. “And a knife in your right.”

He looked at his hands and found that they did indeed contain a fork, and a knife. He began to shake a bit then, and I'm not ashamed to say that I began to quiver with anticipation.

“Come. Eat. You don't want it to get cold do you? Think of how delicious this steak will taste. Think of how wonderful it will feel to have a full belly again.” I contracted his stomach then, enough to make him wince. It wasn't subtle but sometimes you have to force the issue.

He took a step closer. I could see the sweat beginning to soak through his coat at the underarms.

Taking another step, he let out a short cry.

“Come now,” I admonished. “There's really no need for histrionics.” I smiled.

Another step and he was directly in front of me, looking down at the steaming plate. His nostrils flared as he caught the scent wafting up from it.

“It smells good,” he said, and then laughed. It was a bit insane, that laugh. It was the kind of laugh that might have put another human on their guard. I joined in, laughing quite heartily.

“It does smell good,” I grinned. “Doesn't it?”

He nodded, still laughing, and began to cut into the steak.

I Had No Idea There Were So Many!

1. The Legend of Zelda (Nintendo Entertainment System)
2. The Adventures of Link (Nintendo Entertainment System)
3. A Link to the Past (Super Nintendo Entertainment System)
4. Link's Awakening (Game Boy)
5. Ocarina of Time (Nintendo 64)
6. Majora's Mask (Nintendo 64)
7. Oracle of Ages (Game Boy Color)
8. Oracle of Seasons (Game Boy Color)
9. Link to the Past / Four Swords (Game Boy Advance)
10. The Wind Maker (GameCube)
11. Four Swords Adventures (GameCube)
12. The Minish Cap (Game Boy Advance)
13. The Twilight Princess (Wii, GameCube)
14. The Phantom Hourglass (DS)

I've only played 4 of those, and only 1 to completion - Link's Awakening, on the Game Boy. (Soon that will be 4:2 as I finish up The Phantom Hourglass. (Which is really good.))