OCT 26

2024

Saturday: back at work for my weekend shift, and I spent the entire time trying responding to updates to earlier inquiries and similar follow-ups. Julie ended up falling asleep in the living room, so as soon as my shift ended, I got started on a new shrimp and vegetables recipe. Probably should have purchased more asparagus, though, and I might have to use the food processor next time because it requires so much dicing. We watched a couple of later episodes of season 3-era Buffy (starting with "The Zeppo"), and we both agreed that the writing this season feels off. I started to fall asleep, so Julie sent me to treat the cats, after which I wanted to post this update and go to bed. My belt just broke, though.

2023

Thursday, 8:53 AM: stayed up too late watching videos while I reviewed Magic decks and picked out clothes to pack, and now I don't want to get out of bed. Daphny started the group chat(s?) this morning via sms to make sure we're able to coordinate, but apparently they can only hold 20 participants total. Not sure how many people were have this year, but I'm guessing it's close to 40?

We were a little concerned that Julie's phone wouldn't be able to handle the new Animal Crossing update after the game told her she had insufficient storage last night, but it sounds like that might have been a temporary issue as she was able to start the download this morning. We'll see how it works after that completes.

12:15 PM: we are on the road, taking Broad south out of Philly! We shut Mim into the bedroom since Emily is going to be checking on her in the next day or two and can let her out when she's here. I set up an extra litterbox in the kitchen and we've doubled up on food and water stations.

While I feel pretty satisfied with the packing job we did, I couldn't find any other Magic decks, and at the last minute I grabbed my PSP, despite being unable to locate the charging cable. Other people will have theirs, so hopefully I can make use of their cable and we can set up some Dissidia or something.

We definitely have at least two group chats now.

1:01: We stopped at a Panda Express for lunch because Julie's popcorn breakfast was not keeping up with her. I did a broccoli beef bowl with fried rice.

2:38: MGMT's "Electric Feel" came on the radio, and it reminded me of the workout mixes Dee used to bring for our Step class back in Wichita. To do: figure out what the actual song was that I always misheard as being about fishing.

5:14: We've arrived! There are a fair number of people here already, and more keep showing up! We helped Bachelor bring in the drinks, and we toured the bocce ball court and mini golf course. We've moved into room 12 upstairs, and I set up our laptops near the sofas on the ground level. Wourme may make use of our air mattress and extra bedding depending on how many beds get claimed once everyone arrives. Rudie and daphny are both in need of isolated rooms, but there are probably 36 other beds, not counting the option of doubling up or using sofas.

7:26: as the evening has progressed and people continue trickling in, we started getting hungry waiting for the pizza, so we broke into the gorp Julie had mixed before our departure. Cania brought the nametags so we could all label ourselves and color-code how hug-averse we are. I've posted a few photos to the thread, but I'm mainly sitting in the corner by Julie finishing up Hearthstone quests because of the balance patch today. Drinks have been distributed, and people are already crowded around the annual Dragon Quest station. I think they're on Dragon Warrior IV this year.

8:20: spent some time listening in on Haley and Maddy(?) discussing the RPGMaker game they're submitting to Indiecade. The pizza went pretty quick, and there's still people inbound who confirmed they'll be hungry in the group chats, so a few folks coordinated to put another order in. Julie continues to give me grief about how standoffish I am every time one of these events arrives.