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Yesterday, I graduated from Thunderbird School of Global Management (at ASU) with a Masters in Applied Leadership and Management. Took me 4 years, but I got there!

Title. I am excited to see how my boys (6 and 7) like the movie. They have seen parts here and there and know the kid becomes Darth Vader, but have never seen the full movie. As I was typing this, I just remembered that when I heard the prequels were being made (circa 1996) I assumed I would have a child that would be old enough to take to see at least the third movie in the theaters--which was almost a full decade away. So here my prophecy is being fulfilled, at age 44 not 25.

Went to my happy place

Still think those red imperial guards have one of the best designs in all of star wars

Well shit. We have commercials for phones that advertise all these amazing photo editing features included, which to me is just faking reality. If you can change the weather, backgrounds, eliminate people, move things around on the photo, you’re not just making your picture cleaner, you’re faking shit. It’s no longer a photo of a moment in time. With the way memory works it won’t be long before we take that edited photo and convince ourselves that’s what really happened. Really is meaningless and AI isn’t helping.

The first week of middle school is over. She already has a group of friends, there's rumors about who likes her, and her new BFF asked her to stop "flirting" with the guy she likes (Q will literally talk to anyone, I can see how this would be misinterpreted by a shyer girl). She asked me how does she know if a boy likes her. Save me, guys.

Q had her first day the new school today. I was nervous as heck and about lost it when they called me mid-day, but it was just because they needed me to call her old school for a records request. (Then, of course, the school said no, we need a signature on something.) When I picked her up, her homeroom teacher (also Religion and History teacher) came out to tell me she did great and he's super impressed with her work already. He said she was very attentive and he appreciated that she's very outgoing and not shy. She also said it was a good day, there was the occasional weird comment (something about her wearing skinny jeans), but nothing too bad. She sat at a random lunch table and the kids asked her why she was sitting with them, because they were the rejects. That made me kind of sad for those kids. But Q stayed there and said they were nice and said she might just keep sitting there. It was mixed grades 6-8 and 3 of the kids were in her class. Honestly, folks, she's never going to be one of the popular kids. I just want her to find her weird little tribe. I was definitely not cool in high school, middle school, or even elementary. But college was the best because I went to this nerdy little tech school where everyone had similar interests. I found my husband there, life long friends, etc. It makes it so much better when you have friends to share in the journey.

Today I saw a cool bug

It’s a tourist trap!

So we went to clean Q's desk out after school today. The principal followed us around, which I did not appreciate. Q's teacher made sure all of her stuff was turned in (textbooks, Chromebook, library books, etc) and made a big show of it, which I appreciated because I felt like she was looking out for her. While we were cleaning out her desks 2 pieces of paper came out. One of them was a short, 3 sentence apology from one of the boys who made fun of her when the bully hit her. It wasn't a good apology, but he tried. The other was the apology from the bully. I took a picture of it, because this was the big consequence that was supposed to make it all better. Obviously, fuck this shit. When we got home, the private school called and said they would be glad to have Q join them starting Monday for the last 6 weeks of the school year. We happily accepted. We finished one Girl Scout badge that she had already started. Tomorrow she is starting Screenwriting. I thought Tank would like that.

Some will, some won't. There's always going to be idiot people. I'm not sure when it started, but I hardly ever take pictures anymore when I'm doing out of the ordinary stuff. Maybe a few, but the days of being behind my phone trying to preserve a moment instead of being in the moment have stopped.

The separation plan was between her and another girl. This one was definitely one of the biggest antagonists in January and the one that has made up lies about Q to others. I actually think she's the worst person out of all of them. But after the bullying report, she laid low. But there's 36 days of school left, so I've noticed the 6th graders are amping it up because they think they're done. She saw an opportunity and took it. Q won 1st place at the Science Fair tonight. Suck it, Mean Girls.

I'm just going to say this one thing and then peace out of this thread-- but it was a shit movie then, and it's a shit movie now. I remember everyone coming at me 20 years ago saying the OT was just as "bad" and that nostalgia was the only reason I liked it. Well guess what-- nostalgia is all that's making people run back to see ab objectively bad movie. Also, I saw a TikTok yesterday of some kid who used AI to make TPM a vertical movie to fit on a phone screen and literally every comment loved it. I WEEP FOR THE FUTURE. GET OF MY LAWN! But if you like it, have fun!

Another thing I was reminded of while rewatching the trilogy for May 4th, was how filthy and disgusting George Lucas was as a writer. Sure, some of these lines warranted a chuckle back when we were teenagers, but we're grown adults now, and have to set a positive example for the next generation. Therefore, I move that lines like these are removed from future Disney remasters, and instant cancellation of anyone that laughs at reading them. A New Hope: Get in there you big furry oaf, I don't care what you smell. "Get on top of it!", "I'm trying!" Luke, at that speed will we be able to pull out in time. Negative, it didn't go in. It just impacted on the surface. Put that thing away, you're going to get us all killed. You came in that thing, you're braver than I thought. Myself, the boy, two droids, and no questions asked. Curse my metal body, I wasn't fast enough. Sorry about the mess. When you came in here, didn't you have a plan for getting out? Look at the size of that thing. She may not look like much, but she's got it where it counts, kid. Great kid, don't get cocky! You're all clear kid, now let's blow this thing and go home! Pull out! You're not doing any good back there! Curse my metal body, I wasn't fast enough! You've got something jammed in here real good. Stay on target! Stay on Target! Empire strikes back But now, we must eat, come. How you get so big eating food of this kind. There's an awful lot of moisture in here. No, no! No! This one goes there, that one goes there. Right? And I thought they smelled bad on the outside! Judge me by my size, do you? I thought that hairy beast would be the end of me. Hurry up goldenrod! Control, control! You must learn control! I must've hit it pretty close to the mark to get her all riled up like that, huh, kid? Turn her around! Return of the Jedi I need more men. Back door huh? Good idea. I want you to take her. I mean it, take her!" Hey! Point that thing someplace else. "I have felt him, my master", "Strange that I have not" Short help is better than no help at all. SHAME

Trust me, you made the right decision, I just needed to vent. In good news, they couldn't make a B team anyway. We skipped the 2nd tryout night to go to a winemaker dinner and it was absolutely the right decision. Parents were texting me like omg why is Q not here and I was like because I'm drinking wine and she is babysitting and also soccer tryouts are dumb. I win.

It's amazing the things that bob up after a May the 4th marathon on the big screen (some I'm sure have been addressed by Family Guy, Robot Chicken etc). All of these are OT, given the prequels and sequels are nothing but stupid unanswered questions. Shouldn't Tarkin have at least consulted someone before blowing up a planet? The Emperor is a psycho, but pretty sure he'd want to give something that big the ok. Things like that also tend to create blowback. They never thought to station some troopers outside the trash compactor? "There'll be no escape for the princess this time", then later "A person of some importance, I believe", why is Threepio such a damn dirty liar? What is he hiding? A completed Death Star only had a dozen or more tie fighters for protection?? Why did the rebels wait around on Yavin handing out medals, knowing full well the empire knew where they were and were pissed? How could Ozzel become an Admiral with rookie mistakes like that? And then later Vader lets Piett off the hook. Other than playing Jesus in a movie once, what makes him so special?? Did they actually have dinner at Cloud City? On that topic, how is that considered a 'small operation'?? Why did Han insist on flying the Falcon directly into the SD fleet from Hoth, when there were clearly ways out that were unguarded? Also, why fly TOWARDS the SSD when leaving Bespin?? "I've always known", So Leia knew Luke was her brother when she assaulted his face without his consent? THAT is what the Emperor calls a fucking LEGION of his BEST TROOPS??? The 20 metres Han ran from the shield bunker put him out of what was clearly a substantial blast area? What if Han said someone else's name after hearing "someone who loves you"? "Nee Jabba no badda" is the greatest line in all of SW. Not a question, just fact.

Where now are the horse and the rider? Where is the horn that was blowing? Where is the helm and the hauberk, and the bright hair flowing? Where is the harp on the harpstring, and the red fire glowing? Where is the spring and the harvest and the tall corn growing? They have passed like rain on the mountain, like a wind in the meadow; The days have gone down in the West behind the hills into shadow. Who shall gather the smoke of the deadwood burning, Or behold the flowing years from the Sea returning?

I’m sorry that your daughter and you have had to keep dealing with all this shit. It’s unbelievable to me. I hope the new school works out for next year. I had no idea Great Wolf Lodge was a thing all over the country. We occasionally get advertisements for the one near Dallas. It seems like we have just had a steady stream of shit to deal with involving the little guy these past few weeks. First, on Easter, he got yet another ear infection. He goes in strings of getting them and this is another one. However, it doesn’t meet the ENT’s frequency guideline to be referred to one here. It’s good it isn’t worse, but frustrating, too, that we can’t do anything else to help with it. Then, two weeks ago, his grandfather had a cup of hot water put where it shouldn’t have been and he spilled the water on himself, which prompted a visit to the emergency department since we saw some blistering Fortunately, it was mostly just first degree burns, other than some small second degree ones where the blistering was. The doctors kept us overnight to make sure it really was that minor since the little guy can’t speak much yet. Fortunately, he’s almost completely healed up from that now. Lastly, on Wednesday morning, my son at a little homemade pastry containing things he had all eaten before with no problem, but after my wife and I went to work, he started breaking out in rashes all over the upper half of his body. His grandfather called my wife to tell us, so we both raced home. Sure enough, it turned out to be an allergic reaction to something he ate. It seems like one of the ingredients was contaminated by peanuts during manufacturing and/or packaging. Fortunately, urgent care was able to get my son to recover without the need of his epi pen or another ER visit since he had no breathing or throat swelling issues, but that was damn scary. We have worked so hard to baby proof our house and I carefully read all the ingredients and cautions on packaging for all food that we give him and this shit is still happening in the spots that seem like they should be the most under our control. It’s just so lucky neither of these last two things weren’t worse. I’ve woken up a times the past few nights freaked out by them, especially.

I submitted the intent to homeschool form tonight and declined the meeting with the principal. I'm tired of fighting. I don't think anything productive will come from another meeting. I'm hoping next year's school pulls through, but if not, it's Girl Scout badge time. I'm thinking Screenwriting, a financial literacy badge, and Cybersecurity or Coding, as well as finishing Digital Movie Maker and Good Sportsmanship. I'm not super concerned about her academically, honestly.

I don't even know where to start. First, an apology should never be a consequence. Second, if the apology is supposed to be restorative, restorative practices should NEVER be used for habitual bullying. Third, even if it was an accident, there was still harm caused and does not get you out of a consequence. Fourth, I hate the "talk to the whole class" without a clear (clear is kind) progressive discipline plan. Just following the fucking plan. If you haven't been following, just tell students and parents you will begin enforcing it (it is unfair to just randomly start enforcing a rule at the end of April that was never enforced all year). Fourth, if you followed the fucking plan, even if it is just smoke and not fire, you should escalate the consequence if the smoke doesn't stop (which is why it is called progressive discipline). Why is there not a separation contract with a clear progressive discipline plan? That clarity would make everyone's life so much easier for everyone. If Q goes to bully, bully tells staff ASAP and Q is in trouble. If bully goes to Q, Q tells staff and bully is in trouble. This also protects BOTH students from accusations from the other. I put a bully on a separation contract earlier this year for way less than this. The student broke it and was suspended. The next step was expulsion. The parent pulled him because she was worried "he would be under a microscope". I said, "that's the point". The #1 role of a principal is to keep kids safe.

I follow this account on IG where a guy does a whole “AI fooling boomers” rating scale. He’ll find obvious AI stuff then quote the boomers responding to it thinking it is real.

Not to derail an entertainment thread, but my neighbour just used chat GPT to draft a business to business legal contract, with some particular a nieche clauses and such that his regular lawyers were going to charge him £400 to do. Just to copy paste his name onto a document that they'd have pre prepared minus a few particulars. First we were worried for the arts , but I think we're safe for a variety of reasons. But maaaaaan there is an ai storm coming for legal and beaurocatic institutions and jobs. White collar upper middle class gonna be stressing

And then there is...this?

yes and no. do I like the idea of being able to make a movie on my own at home? kinda. Do I like the idea of a hundred million bros making R-rated versions of Star Wars and jamming the internets up with endless terrible content? no. Am I a film classist? Probably. I'm with Hobbes in that I don't truly thing AI will ever be able to make anything GOOD on its own. It will always require human input for true creativity because it isn't true AI, it's machine learning collation based upon available models, meaning it's always going to be stealing from something a human made. Last year's writer's strike had as fighting the studios about not being allowed to replace writers with AI. We had a victory there, but the studios are doing it anyway. The problem is when the studios and the masses stop caring about innovation and originality and just want Star Wars for the billionth time, (but now as Steampunk!) it leaves working class people in the film industry out of a job. I can likely see myself using these tools to make a proof of concept for a movie to then present to others, but nothing will beat making an actual movies with real actors and artisans.

Maybe now that AAA games have better writing, and we have adaptions that are actually good, Hollywood execs will stop thinking they need to completely rework games to adapt them. Last of Us was a 1:1 (ish) remake while Fallout was original but as true to game lore and design as possible. That's the way to go. Now lets manifest me getting to do Mass Effect.

His delivery of "Sammy-- those are fucking onions!" Has been in my head on a loop. He was amazing.

I was in highschool when I first saw it. First thought during the screening was, huh these trade federation guys seems kinda racist, then hrmm the pacing seems kinda of weird, then ooofff not a fan of the dialogue, then sayyy Natalie Portman is quite hot, then WHO THE FUCK IS THIS JAR JAR CUNT, then hrmm.. weird mexican/hebrew Fly character also seems pretty racist but im not sure against who, then god this slapstick humor sucks, wait the little kid is blowing up the space station on accident? This movie sucks ass.

Yeah the studio wimped out so hard by giving away so much with the trailer. literally made a fun movie predictable. Great cast/performances.

Maybe they promised a 2 for 1 trade?

Did you not see the part about boys? Just kidding, this is the most normal week of school she has had in a long time. I do think that there's a little bit of new kid novelty that will wear off by the end of the year, especially with the boys. She's new, they aren't sick of her crap yet. On the other hand, I used to make my friends furious for the same crap in high school. When you're a tomboy, you can talk to guys about things they are interested in. It makes if easier for them to open up, and when you make it easy for them, they usually end up being interested. My friends had no idea how to talk to guys and they were always so pissed about the amount of attention because I was definitely the nerdiest and probably not as cute (at least according to their standards of femininity). Q is likely going to have the same problem. I hope she picks better friends than I did. She went to the lower team tryouts and did awesome, but they don't really have enough girls and she was the strongest player by far. She is the smallest, but her feet have grown 2 sizes in 2 months so that final growth spurt is coming. They might bring up some younger girls to make a team which would be great, because 2 of her Girl Scout friends tried out for the younger team. Tonight if the final night of tryouts so we should know soon, but there's no way she's not making this team. As a backup plan, I've reached out to the coach at another club that she did a lot of training with. She wants to see Q on Wednesday. We decided this team was too far away (30 minute drive without traffic) and requires too much travel (games in Idaho at least 1-2x per year). I'm also worried the coach is a psycho by reputation, but she has been really good to Q during their trainings and Q really likes her and is motivated to work hard for her. (I think Q really wants a female coach, fortunately the lower team coach is also a woman, and Q said she had a good sense of humor at the tryouts.) I may see if I can negotiate Q being a guest player for them when they have too many absences or local summer tournaments. They also play year round, so maybe she could play for them in the spring if she decides she wants to play spring after all.

This is awesome. There is more accountability, community, and greater ability to for everyone to stay on top of shit at a smaller school. I had a mom pull her son because I put him on a safety plan for bullying. She was like, "I don't like this plan because he will be under a microscope" and was all, "he will be--that's the point".

I am one of those who is tired of Yoda and I think the more they show him, the weaker his character becomes. I always viewed Yoda as a supporting character and his story works best during the Skywalker live action era (Ep1-6), and he was further fleshed out in TCW. I did not mind Yoda coming back for TLJ, but it was unnessary. I also think while theoretically possible, I don't want to see Yoda (except maybe a small cameo so you know he is around), in the Acolyte. Bottom line, the character needs a rest and if they want to explore eras that are removed from the Skywalker saga, they need to lay off of the legacy characters.

I know people have grown tired of him and I understand the why behind the Yoda hate. However, Yoda has always not only been my favorite Star Wars character, but possibly favorite character in all of fiction. I think his ego leading to the downfall of the Jedi makes the character all the more interesting. I am all for more Yoda as long as his inclusion moves the story forward, isn't a forced cameo, AND the writers actually understand Yoda (I am looking at you Rian Johnson).

I'd buy that for a dollar.

I lack the energy to pirate movies anymore. I just want this to stream somewhere already

It was pretty awesome and the boys had a great time. It was interested to see how they liked it as they were much closer to Lucas's target audience. On the drive home I was trying to have a very serious conversation on their opinions of different parts and characters but everything kept going back to Jar Jar getting kicked in the nuts by that droid. What your favorite part "when jar jar got picked in the nuts". Who was your favorite character, "The droid that kicked Jar Jar in the nuts". Once we got home and had a much more serious discussion I learned... Favorite characters were Anakin (6 yo) and Obiwan (7 yo). Both loved Anakin was a kid. My youngest loved that Anakin blew up the droid control ship. I asked about Jar Jar, both didn't really have much of an opinion but they both laughed at his tongue getting shocked (and getting kicked in the nuts). I was a bit worried that at 2 and a half hours it was the longest movie they had seen in a theater. They were really into it except the 45 minutes they were on Coruscant in between the pod race and the final battle scenes on Naboo. Also, Disney was never mentioned. No Disney movies in the previews and I thought they would have had the Disney opener...but no...it was all OG 20th Century Fox.

They don't cover this one in the parenting books. About a year ago, Trevor, Noah, and I were playing a board game (Hogwarts Battle). I was about to make an absolutely amazing and game winning move, when I drew the ONE card that could undo it all. It was heartbreaking. I refused to play the game for like a month after that. So ever since then we make jokes about how violated I felt by the game and Voldemort. Fast forward to last night. Noah and I were chatting about something I don't even remember now, but it was semi-serious. Then this exchange happened. Noah - Is it Hogwarts level bad? Me - Huh? Noah - The game. Remember? Me - Oh. Yeah. Worse than that. Noah - Is that the most violated you've ever been? Me - ...dude. No. I'm a female who grew up in the 90s. I have definitely been more violated. Noah - ...well now that makes me think you're talking about rape. Have you been raped, Mom? Me - What? No, bro. I've never been raped. Noah - Oh...so what did you mean? How were you violated? Me - We'll have to have this conversation when you're a bit older. This is really weird for us. I don't typically dodge questions from my kids like this. We've had more than our fair share of awkward conversations. So many of them that we no longer feel awkward talking about most things that teenagers don't like to discuss with their parents. But I'm drawing a complete blank on how to explain the fact that I've been sexually assaulted like many women my age, but it wasn't something I even considered until I was older because that's just how things were at the time. Like, I've been groped and touched by so many people in so many different circumstances, but we were young. Things were different. Culturally these things were accepted and sometimes just expected. So I don't harbor any ill will for most of it, and I know that the boys who did these things have grown into men who probably had some uncomfortable realizations during the #metoo movement. I know many of these men now, and I know that they've grown and would never now. But in the late 90s/early 2000s? We all remember, right? I mean, we've had some discussions about moral relativity while studying a bunch of history and other cultures, but this just feels different, ya know? I mean, we're talking about his mom! And, frankly, one of by biggest violators was his dad! I don't even know where to begin with this. It's a terrible example to give an almost 16 year-old boy that sometimes after a year or so of completely inappropriate interactions, we actually developed real feelings and are now married. That's not the message you want to send! I don't want him to think that SA is just easily forgivable. Seriously. Parenting books don't cover this one.

This is ironically funny. You’re holding BBQ tongs and the only thing that flipped was you. Sorry! I just had to say it.

My students were asking me to tell their parents about the dumpster thing all week. HA! It was laughter antidote, especially after a super sucky day before. One of my neighbors helped me out after and hour of slipping and trying to get out. Let me tell you getting out of a wet dumpster is actually good for cardio!

I got hit by a lady backing out of a parking lot. My car was directly behind hers and she told me “Why didn’t you stop? I was backing out.” I stared at her because I was directly behind her car when she threw it into gear and backed up. The damage is on the back end of my car. Where would I have stopped? And also, OMG so we just back up expecting people to let us out? She was fresh out of a Pilates class and had no insurance card with her as well as losing her license. I’ve been playing phone tag with her insurance company for the last five days. I also got stuck in a dumpster. I was trying to fish a lid out that I accidentally threw away. I was on a ladder and had a set of long bbq tongs trying to get the lid out when I flipped over the top and landed on my back in the dumpster. I was a crazy lady covered in pickles and shrimp shells asking people of my condo complex “Help me I’m stuck in a dumpster and can’t get out!”

Aside from the whole not-being-able-to-turn-their-heads thing. But they look cool as fuck.

Totally this! I used to video concerts I would go to, but I got tired of watching the concert through my phone instead of just enjoying myself at the concert! Besides, I never rewatched those videos, anyway.

In Arizona, yelling at people who cut you off can get you shot, usually by a gun-toating conservative with Trump political bumperstickers (and possibly Confederate flag stickers) on their pickup!

I guess things have died down a bit, probably thanks to the separation plan, but Q has still been down. I want this year over with. The control freak mom's daughter has also not been back at school, since spring break, so we are going on 2 weeks now. I have a feeling she is not coming back. I am clearing my calendar to attend their field trip to the Kangaroo Farm because I feel like I need to go so no one can accuse Q of something ridiculous. We signer up for a club's soccer tryouts kind of as a warmup/get out the nerves, but they ended up having such an overwhelming turnout that they are going to form 2 teams and now I have to take it seriously. She tried out for this club last year and I was convinced this was the right place for her because of what I've heard about the club culture (all good things, and they were moving to a new league that is less about the good old boys clubs and more about just letting any team play where they belong eithout their weird alliances). And then at tryouts the coach was weird. He walked up to Q because she was juggling very well and asked her what club she was from. She told him. It was apparently the wrong answer and he ignored her after that. I couldn't understand why this coach was completely ignoring her, despite playing pretty well and going all out. She had one rough moment when they paired them up for 3v3 and she got put with these girls who were absolutely terrible, but she did well otherwise. I was so proud of her. And then, no offer. We heard through the grapevine that they tried to poach as many girls as possible from a certain club, and now that club was unable to form a team because of it. Girls who played at that club and knew Q said that Q got screwed because she was a better player than some of the girls who got picked up. So we changed plans and went elsewhere. It really hurt Q and she was pretty embarrassed by being cut, she's never been straight cut by a club before. So I saw they were having tryouts and they are free, so I suggested what the heck let's just go so you can get the nerves out. The other tryouts aren't for another 2 weeks. However, now I am pretty sure she is going to get an offer this time. I actually sat in the car both nights and didn't watch because I'm tired of getting mad about adults ruining soccer for kids, but from the little I did see, Q held her own in the scrimmages and was working hard, which I was worried about because she's been so defeated lately. I encouraged her to play anywhere but defense, because she's small and honestly, defense just seems to be a crutch for her and doesn't use her best skills, so she doesnt really shine there (nor is she big, so she has to rely on all skill and not size). Personally I think she'd make a great defensive center mid because she's good at disruption and stopping counter attacks if her team doesn't hang her out to dry on 2v1 or 3v1 situations like her last team did. But she tried center mid, which I think is a good spot for her in general because of her first touch and passing skills, but its going to require more fitness if she stays there. I doubt she will make the first team because I was told that this club really emphasizes keeping teams together and protecting returning players, and it looked like most returned. The A team did really well last fall and played in the top division in the spring, which took them all over the state to play other top teams. Honestly, I'm not sure we want that anyway. I think she'd rather have shorter drives to games and a but of a break in the winter to ski. I'm good with that, too. I'm getting to the point where I'm getting a little more vocal about how none of these girls are going to play D1 soccer, and we all need to chill. As I used to say at my indoor soccer teams, D league is for Day Job. No one is going pro, so let's just have fun. If she doesn't make it, she's found out one of her former teammates is moving off her old A team because it's too much travel and just too much soccer. They are still figuring out coaches for next year over there for both A and B team. So she may want to play with them, but I'm waiting to see who the B team coach is first. Q wants to play with the A team girls because she likes them (and they are super nice girls), but the current coach is a no go, and I think it would be too much travel for her.

Watched the first 4 last night and enjoyed them a lot! They have nailed the world of the games so well. Looking forward to watching the rest!

Tonally it’s all over the map and def silly— but it won me over as a fan of the games. They stayed true to game lore even more than Last of Us did.

So what did we do? Well we stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacations on the Las Vegas Strip. Realistically, it's at the northern edge of the strip next to Circus Circus. The good thing was it was a smoke free hotel. But the food options were pathetic and slow. They did have a surprisingly nice spa that I got to use for a few hours. The pool was good for kids. There was also a Deuce Bus stop right in front of the hotel so that was useful. Dinners at a Brazilian steakhouse, Noodle Bar (chinese) at Sahara, pizza at Happy Camper, and a few meals at the new Fontainebleau food court since it was across the street. We also did Mexican one night but I can't remember the restaurant. Cirque du Soleil Mystere at Treasure Island Easter Brunch at the Wynn La Cave Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay Fun Dungeon arcade at Excalibur (crap prizes) NY NY arcade - good prizes but not that great of an arcade and the Rollercoaster was down that day because it was raining Coke Store - my son walked in and said I need some merch! He cracks me up. Got him a Tervis tumbler. The fancy drinks were broken, so it was kind of worthless. Hershey's Store - not that great, overpriced bulk Hershey's kisses and nothing too unique. The best part is getting a milkshake. Pool time - E is skinny and got cold easily. It was not that warm of a week. Adventuredome at Circus Circus. We did this the last day since we had to check out of the hotel at 11 and our flight wasn't until 9. This was probably my kids favorite activity. E is getting braver at riding Circus type rides, Q is a Rollercoaster junky but ate too much crap so she didn't feel that great. The buffet at Circus Circus is cheap but not that impressive (but my kids essentially got a home-cooked meal so that was a good thing). The arcade was also better than Fun Dungeon or NYNY, so it was a win. I pumped $40 into the stupid Minecraft Dungeons arcade game and E walked away happy. We got to watch a juggler and a clown during one of their hourly shows, so that was kind of fun too. Overall it was a good trip, and everyone had fun.

Fascinating series - just finished watching and I was hooked! So unlike anything else and not what I was expecting! I have the 1st book from your recommendation in the other thread on here, so will look forward to reading that at some point. Definitely left me wanting more!

Like, if I was a bachelor...Christmas lights year round...everywhere. Not like the LED light strips with app...I mean old school Christmas lights that flash and have midi versions of Christmas songs.

Chewbacca forgotten again!