Exhausting Weekend

I've never really thought about how draining it is to hang around with people you only have a little bit in common with for an extended period of time.

Some in-laws came to visit this weekend, and while they are good people, we don't really click on every level. Had this just been an afternoon visit, or even a full day, I don't think it would've been so awkward, as by the second day, both my wife and I felt the strain of keeping the conversation going. This was only compounded by the fact that a sick baby was also on the loose. All of these things basically added up to a weekend of bad sleep, awkward silences, and a glimpse to what it will/might be like if and when we have a child.

That being said, we still got a few good games of Catan in, including a few ventures with our new Seafarers Expansion. (I swear, those game pieces must have nicotine that releases with every touch. You get to where you need your Catan fix.) Also, I finished my cards for the Tim Burton swap for the Artist Trading Card thingummy I participate in. I meant to post them, but I ran out of time to scan them. They'll probably post on Wednesday.

In the meantime, Gibberish tomorrow.

+Family Reunions+

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And then there is always the cousin you thought was hot, until you found out cousins aren't supposed to be hot...

Surprise!

Rather annoyed that I didn't see Indiana today, but it's all good. Whooped my family at Scrabble in two games. I hope for a third.

Anyway, don't want to bore you all with the trivialities of family vacations, so I'll just tell you that starting Monday is my BIG SURPRISE.

I've put together a small illustrated story for you that will update beginning Monday and run THROUGH THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY. Yes, you will get not one but two extra blog updates from yours truly. Anyway, the story is called "Shattered Suns and Broken Hearts." I realize this sounds like the titular track of some crappy emo band, but I assure you that the story is rather good. It was fun to write and illustrate. Plus, it gave me a reason to use the tablet a bit more. Anywho, enjoy, and I'll be alive and kicking once the story runs its course.

The Joy of Family

It's amazing how things just sort of pick up where you leave off, even if you haven't seen your family for months or years. The way you can just talk about whatever: dying grandparents, going crazy, leche de hombre, space docking, and any other embarassing thing you can think of, so your mother shakes her head and wonders what kinds of crazy beasties she brought into the world. It makes me rather frightened to think what it will be like when I have little miniature versions of myself and my wife. If it's true that you get paid back in kind for the terror you were as a child... man... I'm screwed.

Otherwise, I'd forgotten how nice it is to be away from the city, far from all the traffic noise and street lights and sirens. Just the cool howl of the wind, the star-filled sky, and the distant burble of a river. It's a good feeling, good peace, calm.

Don't think I'm going to be able to hit up Indiana Jones today. It saddens me, but I might be able to fire a gun and fly a plane. I'll probably get knocked out on my ass. And my brothers probably won't let me live it out, but when I'm half their size... whatever.