If anybody has questions, I can probably answer them.  Sadly, I can't tell you about anything not covered in the guide, because I still don't have the game and I probably will wait to install it anyway.  Can't even test it out since MIchael's machine is having video card problems, how ironic.

Michael is made of EPIC WIN.  He is awesomesauce personified.  He... GOT MY COMPUTER WORKING!!!!11!one!

He's still a bit concerned because it grinds awfully noisily when loading up a neighborhood.  But hey, that's an improvement over crashing (as it did with this video card at first) or Completely Black Screen (before this card).  But I told him to save all the maintenance stuff until tomorrow when I'm at work, and just let me enjoy my 'hoods for a bit.  

Sure, the Maximillians are a fun diversion, but I was really getting down in the dumps over the Nebula family and the Asylum.  I've confirmed through most of a simday's play that the Asylum is okay.  And, if I get over to Planet Revolution and something is still wrong?  Yeah, it'll be a bummer, but quite honestly I could rebuild that easier than I could get the Asylum back to the current point.  I has lotsa notes and backups.  So I'm not too worried.

No chapter yet, sorry.  But at least now, you all know it's gonna happen.

So, as I've hinted in various boolprop.com posts, the computer is a no-go.  New drivers didn't help, new video card didn't help, so it might be something more serious.  I still hold out hope for a different video card, but that'll have to wait.  Michael is sort of leaning toward just getting a new system entirely.  But that of course takes moolah which takes time for our household to build up.  And once we've got it, I'll have to get new Uni discs anyway, since the one I have is rather beat up.

So, I'm stuck on his machine for a while!  It has quite a few things on it, since I use it for trying out a new EP.  I was thinking of doing a small challenge on it.  Maybe as far as I can get with a Surrounded by Idiots Legacy or something.  It has to be something I can do without Uni, Pets, and maybe OFB.  I'll try to confirm what EPs I've got later, but if anyone has a suggestion for a good fun challenge, let me know.  Links would be appreciated.

So, yesterday was gaming day.  We play Hackmaster, a parody of 1st/2nd Ed Dungeons & Dragons.  We've been playing with this same group for probably about three years now, every other week.  It is SO MUCH FUN!

I'm the thief.  Not rogue, thief.  I get Honor Points from doing thiefy things like pickpocketing, traps defusing, backstabbing, all the fun stuff.  Only problem, I'm a halfling and afraid of heights.  This does put a bit of a limit on what I can do for the party, but I've made it to 11th level, so they must like me for something.

Aaah, breaktime.  Fifteen minutes of... well, it varies.  Sometimes, it's ignoring the "help us" bell.  Sometimes, chat with not-busy coworkers.  Sometimes, stare into space and try to regain enough strength to go back to the grind.

But really, most of the time I like my job.  I mean, me, around books!  My entire hometown is totally not surprised by my choice of vocation.  And there are certainly rewards:

Me:  Here are your books!  Have fun with them!
Mom:  Kids, tell the library lady Thank You, please.
Kids in unison:  Thank you please!

I coulda hugged them.  Pretty much any kid with manners, coached or no, is a jewel.  I just wasn't cut out to be a teacher like my parents and sis-in-law, I wouldn't have enough patience with those who don't GET IT, but I love seeing people learn.  Especially the kids.  The other thing I love was when I got to work in the PR department arranging flyers and posters.  I could mess with clip art and pictures and fonts all day!  Getting the mood and flow right, it just feels good when it comes together.  But I couldn't do that full-time.  There just wouldn't be enough interaction with my "regulars" and the kids.

Michael is slightly concerned that I'm putting his needs too much before my own lately.  Maybe he's got a point.  I went to the microwave to put in a biscuit for breakfast, and found yesterday's biscuit waiting for me.  Hmmm.  Perhaps I could do better about regular meals.  But at least I can get to the fridge when I need food!  While he's laid up with back troubles, I am the sole source of body maintenance and nutrition for him, and I intend to do a good job.  Sure, sponge baths and kitchen duty tire me out, but it's worth it for times like this morning when he finally gets back into his chair and on with life.  We're a team.  I do the legwork, and he encourages me.  Yay.

I had a therapist tell me I was clinically depressed.  After much consideration, I don't feel like he had a valid point.  It's not depression if you have a genuine reason to be tired and worried!  Not if you can manage to get over it on your own, as the situation improves, you know?  Moods are normal.  Life is tough sometimes, and plastering on a fake smile is not healthy.  Now, if I'd stayed down after Michael's health improved, maybe then I'd consider the diagnosis.

Hmm, this was almost all about work, but The Break is over.  Play will have to wait!  (ain't that the story of my life, heehee.)

Okay, sorry, I don't have pics or a chapter ready to go yet, but...

I'm sorry.  I must already apologize to my participants.  I've played less than a sim-day, and I've had one fire with a triple aspiration failure already!  (I was not the one cooking, I can at least say that)

I figured, oh, it won't quite be like an Asylum, since I gave them nice clothes and a pretty environment.  Well, apparently that doesn't matter to some aspirationally low folks.

Oh, here's the official list of participants, it changed a bit from the idea in Nerd's topic:
Spider Jerusalem
Cassidy  (these two are set as brothers)

Brody Legacina
Orikes (Legacina)  (created together, not related)

Prof. Butters Simself
Marina Simself (created together, not related)

Michelle Fobbs (playable)
Dante Gabriel Fobbs (set as siblings to avoid strangeness)

Gotta run to work!