Darth MC Hammer

The small one is a carry-on. The big one is very big, but it has wheels, and I can carry it, especially if it's not packed full.

Let me remind you all that I am traveling (mostly) FIRST CLASS, so I will be checking my suitcase.

I know, the big one makes sense. I just like being smug.

Oh yeah, I forgot about the three free bags! Bring them both!

Sophia, did you see my note to you in Movies that Matthew Gray Gubler is in (500) Days of Summer?

Sort of painted the dining room. And by sort of, I mean that my GF was "helping" and I didn't realize how much she sucked at painting. I think I am going to have to sand down a lot of the blobs and drips tomorrow. Still, good to see her.

I kept trying to get her to quit painting, going so far as to hammer the lid back on the paint cans and crack open a beer and tell her I'd had enough. She screwed up so many things that I didn't realize were screw-uppable. It was rather the comedy of errors, and after showing her the correct way to do something for the fifth time, I gave up, as I was feeling like an ass.

If anyone needs material for a sitcom, lemme know.

The best bit was when I poppped the top off the paint can and poured a bit into the roller tray, then loosely put the lid back on so the paint wouldn't dry and I'd be able to pour more later. She picked up the can and began reading the label, tilting it back ever so dangerously. (Amazingly the lid stayed on long enough for me to notice and freak).

But beyond poor technique, I was quite horrified to see that all the brushes she had used had paint not just a third past the tip of the bristles, not just up to the end of the bristles, but an inch past the bristles and on the metal cuff! Brush abuse! Brush abuse!

Next time will be playing with the cats, drinking, and watching Nu Who.

No, Jesse, I missed it! I will have to put in on the "too see" list!

Well, I finally saved up enough to go to Bed, Bath, & Beyond and buy the quilt and pillowcases I've been lusting after for months. And then stopped on the drive home and bought 20 Omaha steaks for $20 off the back of a truck.

If I go silent this week, can somebody stop by my apartment with a stomach pump?

Wow, that's kind of brave Matt. But I've always had a sensitive system so...

Dana, if you're flying first class both ways, bring the small suitcase on the way there, and bring a duffel bag or buy another suitcase in Europe for the souvenirs! And then check them both on the way back!

I went to see Harry Potter, on a date. I think it was a date. I'm pretty sure. I like her a lot, but...just in a friend way, I think. Sadly. She's super awesome. But I feel no desire to jump her bones, damnit. Argh. I am hoping this works out conveniently, because, see "super awesome".

Sophia, it sounds like an awesome plan to me, but I can see how with the history, it would need to be a careful approach.

The cheap European suitcase strategy sounds best. You can put all the precious/fragile things in the good suitcase and all the dirty clothes, et cetera in the cheap one.

Sophia, your plan sounds really good. Mom may be a hard sell, because I've seen with my Mom and others that giving up a house can be emotionally fraught. Maybe if you can create a spreadsheet, showing what duplex houses are going for, what the mortgage would be, depending on downpayment, and like that. Having seperate units will be key, I think. Also, don't mention the car except in passing, like if you can get a property with a driveway or especially a garage.

Timelies all!

Waiting to hear from friends. We're going to meet up with them for dinner and stuff. (We have much-belated birthday gifts for two of them)