Brave New World

Skype has been a remarkable tool that Larkin and Finn use to keep in touch with distant (and sometimes not so distant) friends. Finn plays games with kids in Europe, Australia and all across North America. Larkin touches base daily with a few special friends; sometimes crafting, sometimes gaming, sometimes just chatting. And, of course, sometimes Larkin and Finn Skype each other from adjacent rooms.

Our nightly calls when Emile is out of town have become video chats. Emile and Larkin often play chess while Skyping, Finn often only sticks around long enough to make some goofy faces and otherwise express his affection.

I have had to become used to having windows almost constantly open from our home into others. Usually it's a good thing-- if I find myself deciding not to say something because I'm near a live laptop, it's probably something that didn't need to be said in the first place. Luckily, I'm not overly sensitive about being seen in PJs. With bedhead. In the afternoon.

The other day, I offered up some of those plastic packing pillows for popping. You know, the big ones that make the really loud, satisfying noise when jumped on. It turned out that Finn had been Skyping. Some poor Austrian kid momentarily panicked while he thought his American friend's family was being mowed down by a flurry of gunfire. Typical, I guess.

UPDATE: Finn and a friend were Skyping while playing a fishing game. Finn was trying to help his friend catch better fish by advising him on his bait choice. My attention was drawn from across the house when I heard him shouting "Master bait! Master bait!"

Some Mysteries Are Best Left...

I found this collection of items in the middle of the kitchen table. I feel there must be a back story but I'm hesitant to ask.

Darndest Things

When Emile returned from a week away in San Jose, Larkin informed him that I "really stepped up" to "pick up the slack" while he was out of town. Thankyouverymuch.

Today at the park, a friend pointed up in the sky and said, "it's a bird... it's a plane..." and Finn jumped in to helpfully finish the saying, "it's a man insane... it's our president, LBJ!" Apparently Country Joe and the Fish get more airtime than Superman around here.

Philosopher's Dream

Last night, Finn had a dream that two philosophers were discussing the fate of the earth and humanity. One suggested they should combine all the planets so there would be plenty of space to explore and inhabit. The other pointed out that the gravity would be too great for currently evolved humans. One or both of the philosophers may or may not have been riding a meteor at the time. Nine year old problems.

Love and Cars

The kids' orthodontist always has little games or contests with prizes. This month, they had an entry box from which a random winner would be drawn. To enter, you were instructed to fill in a form with "Three things you love about your Mom or Dad." Finn's entry:

1. They're very cuddly.
2. They have time to spend with us.
3. They're good cooks.

Apparently he couldn't separate us in his head, but it's nice to know his priorities.

In other news, we just bought a new (to us) car because the electrical system in our older Subaru was getting less reliable by the month. Finn (ever resistant to change) was extremely reluctant to part with the car we've had since before he was born. Larkin was also having a hard time, but was trying valiantly to downplay it since Finn was obviously so much more strongly affected. Both kids shed tears as we drove away from the only car they've ever known.

We will miss our 357CPU license plates and our trusty Subaru.

After pushing All The Buttons on the way home, the kids are pretty thrilled with the relative luxury of the new car and think future road trips will be much more comfortable. I had a hard time not entering a destination into the built in navigation system and hitting the road tonight myself. Bonus: Now Larkin and Finn can each bring a friend when we're going somewhere rather than having to agree on one between them.

We are hopeful that we will make some fantastic new memories in our fancy (red!) car.

It's All Downhill From Here...

Today, not only did I turn 40, but I found my very first grey eyebrow hair! I'm pretty sure this means my wizard powers should be coming in shortly. I tried to capture it on film (you know, in case the wizarding guild gave me any trouble), but it turns out the individual hair color isn't really discernible. So all I got was this gratuitous, slightly creepy picture of my 40 year old eyeballs. You're welcome.

Soundbites

Emile has been out of town most of this month starting his new job at eBay. I just found out his title is "Lead Cloud Developer." He assures me that his work days are not as awesome as they sound.

Larkin, Finn and I are puttering along smoothly, doing all the usual Stuff of Life, looking forward to Emile coming home. Larkin and Emile have been playing chess online almost every evening. Skype is keen.

******

Me: If you guys are happy doing your own thing for a while, I'd like to have some time to myself to do more adult things.

Finn: Okay.

Larkin: What are you going to do?

Me: ... watch a comic book movie.

 ******

I had been making food accompanied by loud music when I realized the house had been very quiet and I hadn't seen Finn in a long time. I found him spread-eagled on the living room floor.

Me: ... What's up?

Finn: I'm full of bourbon and I can't stand up.

Me: No more Tom Waits for you.