we set up a time for me to come hang out/get to meet the kids.

Sounds like you're going to get the job.

was Revenge of the Sith good?

It's not subtle, it's not an actor's movie, but it's way, way cool. Seeing everything circle round to the first movies is very satisfying. Musical and visual cues from the first movie crop up all the time; it felt like a pat on the head for having been through the whole series of movies.

I heard people in my theatre mutter "Oh, no" at the one scene where you really realize that Anakin has left the building and Darth Vader is just waiting for his costume change. I'm honestly surprised Lucas went there.

We've known since Ep. 1 where Anakin ends up, but you still get the sense of tragedy.

My husband's family are all regular gamblers, and most of them work on the boats near KC. I have recommended the book, Bringing Down the House to my DH, which should be something he'd like (math! non-fiction!) but he won't read it because he doesn't like to hear the odds against winning.

DH is an actuary. Gambling actuaries are the stuff of comedy gold. But we know we're going to lose in the end. Our goals when we go to a casino are: 1. Lose as slowly as possible 2. Have as much fun as possible 3. Drink the free drinks as long as possible.

So glad to hear bt is doing better.(Also, wondering what it would be like to have a Home in that sense, and feeling bad that we never got to meet while sharing a continent, but that is all about me.) And, yeah, since we named our dog Betsy, I've been thinking it might be embarrassing to BHP someday, but we didn't know each other very well when we got our dog, so it took a while. I was really hoping she wouldn't do that while somebody was there, but hey, it is funny.

I was really hoping she wouldn't do that while somebody was there, but hey, it is funny.

Hi-FREAKIN"-larious.

But we know we're going to lose in the end.

This is what my DH and his family can't admit. I know that my hubby knows this in his poker-loving heart, and normally I'd hate to be the one to take his dream of the Big Win away... but once he's lost about $100, I'm ready to drag him out of there with lectures on compound interest because that's money I could have banked in the house downpayment fund. Which, I guess, boils down to being willing to bust up his dream for mine. Hey! What do you know? I'm selfish!

It's very strange for me, Sparky, because my mother is a compulsive gambler. Like, losing tens of thousands of dollars over a few years compulsive. So I am extremely ambivalent about gambling. For years I swore it off and wouldn't even entertain the idea of gambling because I've seen first-hand, how much heart ache and pain it causes.

On the other hand, by knowing those pitfalls, I'm more careful about how I go about it and really ended up enjoying it once I learned more about the games (which ones are the best payouts) and how to play. I set strict limits and walk away when I lose--because LOSING IS NOT FUN. Chasing losses is what leads to badness. DH is more caught up in the mathy aspects of the more skilled games like poker. But he LOVES craps because it's all about playing the odds and making the best bets. Craps is the best paying game odds-wise out there. As opposed to roullette. DH just shakes his head when we pass the roullette tables and says that he has no idea why anyone would play that stupid game.

Owen and dandelions

That's a cute pic.

So glad to hear that life is good for bt, and that vw's value is appreciated by prospective employers! (And vw, putting on my unsolicited advice hat, I'd say if you're offered this job, take it and don't worry about the might-have-beens from next week's interview or any other resumes you have out there--the work itself looks fabulous and in line with your interests, and I'm sure you know how rare benefits like they're offering are with part-time work.)

Oh, and DH talked to his online community of choice about the rifle thing, and their consensus was, "We see your point about the gun, but none of those objections really apply to a bayonet or sword." Of course, my character wouldn't have had a sword, but fortunately a Baker rifle bayonet is a decorative object all by itself: [link] I'd probably get the rifle, too (if I ordered from this site, I'd have to), but I wouldn't mind storing it elsewhere. And then maybe I could add a sword or two to the collection later--that site doesn't have the kind of swords either of the next two heroes I'm planning would've worn, but maybe somebody else will....

I guess this is that "compromise" thing of which you speak.

Cashmere -- what a sweet picture of Owen!