The Monster Computer Arrives!

So I was scheduled for my Liposuction on March 11th.  Hearing that I'd need a full weekend to recover I was looking forward to playing EverQuest 2 the entire time.  They'd just put out an expansion that was fun and it seemed like an enjoyable way to endure the pain of recovery.

But as I played (in the days prior to the surgery) my Commodore--which is an awesome computer, still--began to struggle.  Seems that EQ had put in some new graphics requirements and my poor Commodore was having a tough time keeping up.  So I decided to special order a new computer that would be awesome...and let me play EQ at full blast...even after my recovery was done.

I called up the company and ordered, specifying that I wanted a "next day" build and a "next day" delivery.  That way it would arrive on the 9th and I could have it configured and EQ'd by the 11th.

Well.......here we are on the 31st! and the computer has finally arrived.  <sigh>

(60 Pounds of Box Waiting at the Door.)

(First Look at All of the Toys.)

(It's So Purty!  Looks like a Nike Running Shoe.)

(In the Place of Honor...Under My Desk.  It's Huge.  (That's what he said!))

(A Peek Inside)

(Quad-core, Dual graphics card, 12G of on-board RAM goodness!)

 The computer is huge and it runs like a dream.  Sadly, I haven't had a chance to play yet because I'm now installing and updating EverQuest which looks like it's going to take about 5 hours to finish!

So...maybe tomorrow some screen shots of the game in all its glory!

Shrek at the Hippodrome. With TWO Ogres!

So tonight The Three of We went to see the Broadway performance of Shrek The Musical.

Seemed like it might be fun....until...

Shortly after the first song ended, a dad, a mom, an aunt (I think) and a gaggle of youngsters showed up and worked their way down the row of seats in front of me to get to their seats.  People stood up to let them go.  Then they found their seats--directly in front of me.  Then there was much organizing of seating arrangments.  Then every one in the clan had to stand up and remove their coats.  Then pass out the programs.

AFTER THE SHOW HAD STARTED AND THE OPENING SONG WAS DONE!  THEN THEY BOTHERED TO SHOW UP!?!

Folks--and this is to all of you--if the ticket says that the curtain goes up at 630pm (for instance) that means CURTAIN GOES UP AT 630PM!!  It does not mean that sometime around 630 you should start thinking about taking a shower and hauling your flabby asses to the theatre!

Oh, but it gets better.  What was first act like?  I have no idea.  All I got treated to was the demon child in front of me popping up and down like some fool jumping bean!  Eventually I leaned forward and told dad, "Your son's head is right in the middle of the stage."  He apologized and pull the child into his lap.  Right in front of Garry's line of sight.  That lasted for about 4 minutes at which point the little monster was apparently too much for dad and the boy was put back into his own seat whereupon the pop-up action started anew.  Oh and the boy was just mesmerized by the spotlights behind us!  So much so that he continually asked dad--in a loud voice--where those lights come from!?  Over and over and over.

Eventually first act ended.  Lights came up.  I turned to Russ and said, "I am going to write to the Hippodrome and suggest they have an 'adults-only' performace for shows like this.  And to lock the doors once the show starts."

That's when the matriarch of the throwbacks chimed in.

Her: You know, sir, you should look at the name of the show on the program.  It says, Shrek.

Me: Yes, I know.  You should look at the program too.  It says BROADWAY.  That's what I paid to see.

Her: Well, you do realize that you didn't pay for a private seat!

Me: Yes.  I also know that I didn't pay to see the play at your childrens' day care center either.

Her:  (Still not smart enough to stop).  Well, it's ok, sir.  I meet people like you all the time.

Me: Sadly, I meet people like you all the time too.  That's why I have to remind you how to control your children at a Broadway show!

So off they trundled to the bathroom during intermission.  Then they came back, grabbed their coats, and left.  Presumably to pester another group elsewhere.

...Second act was pretty good.

Really, people...

• Show up before the curtain rises.
• Shut up while the show is going on.
• Leave your mutants at home....and..
• Teach them to shut up!

Show Me Your Teeth!

(apologies to Lady Gaga)

Well, when we met Garry so long ago, his mouth was an absolute mess.  Turns out he had 4 bad wisdom teeth, three just dead teeth, and all sorts of other issues.

As a result, the 4 wisdom teeth and 3 dead teeth had to be removed, leaving gaping holes in his smile.  He's been very self-conscious about it.  It's taken a long time to work on the recovery.

On Monday he went to the dentist and got the first implant in!  He's very happy about it.

Before

After

He's a happier BoyToy!

Where's Daddy Russ?

Russell has gone to Indiana this weekend to celebrate Neil's birthday.  I got up about 730am this morning, had a bowl of cereal, and started playing EverQuest2.   About 11am, Granison stumbles into the office....

Gran: "What's happening with breakfast?"

Me: "There's cereal and milk down in the kitchen."

Gran: "But...but..."

Me: "Oh, so you're missing Russ now, huh?"

Gran: "Yeah!"

Later on, Cory showed up.  He's spending the night so that he and Garry can run off to get their new copies of Pokemon and spend all day Sunday in geek-ville.

Cory: "Hey...where's Russell?"

Me: "He's in Indiana for the weekend.  He'll be back on Monday."

Cory: "But....what will we do for breakfast tomorrow?"

Me: "<sigh>"

Your boys are missing you, Daddy Russell...