{Config}ulating

Sun: Slow cleaning day. Worked on Ubuntu some more, trying to get XI running on Wine. The installer fires but the game crashes. I think this box is graphically challenged because most of its issues seem to be caused with graphics-intensive operations. Need to find a crash log.

Off to din and game night at my parents'. Met by Sis & Bro and their boys. Got to see my dad's new work truck. Played Imaginiff and had the usual good time, especially trying to explain certain choices by certain people. After an hour+ of playing, all of us were in a close pack at the end. Having more trouble with her eldest and our boys.

Spent way too long trying to install Skype for Mom so she can talk to Catch in Mexico. Her net's acting up and I think I know why - she seems to be sending hits to a Russian search engine even in regular surfing - yikes!

Soloed a bit more on DNC but got bored. Jumped on Skype at Cold's insistence and he played more GH and then showed me the opening to Alan Wake. It *is* pretty creepy and atmospheric. He sent a great Gabriel Iglesias comedy skit amongst some older stuff. Very lol-worthy, literally!

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Sat: Prince of Persia - Um, can I borrow that time-dagger and get my 2 hours back? If you ever need an example of what deus ex machina means, watch this movie. /sigh

It's not a bad movie, mind. The parkour is /very/ well done and it's a lot of fun in the best traditions of a Saturday popcorn flick. It's just the end that stinks.

Worked some more on Ubuntu, adding apps and configuring my preferences. Spent time chatting and Skyping with some old friends and some new.

Couldn't get a party on DNC and soloed a third of a level to 46 and then crashed.

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Fri: Left work a bit late and then got into a thing with Ape about our timing for her work party. Nearly 4 hours at party, some funny stories and pretty good food but not much else. Thought about going to see a movie but Ape decided not to. We wound up renting "Everybody's Fine". Another nothing-like-the-trailers film...

Basically, DeNiro plays a recently-widowed father of 4 whose kids don't come round often. After bailing on his holiday get-together, he decides to pay each a visit at their respective homes. Here's where the movie gets neat - his travel scenes are punctuated by tense phone calls amongst the sibs. Something's up with David and they don't want to worry Dad. Who is more peeved than worried just now since David's not answering his New York apartment door.

As he visits, he learns his kids have pretty much hidden everything from him - grandkids' bad grades, actual job versus described job, etc. And the truth of David's absence becomes clearer. After his final visit, DeNiro flies home, despite massive aviophobia (Hi Bones!) and has a heart attack when the plane flies into turbulence and his nitrate bottle is empty.

On awaking in the hospital, three of four sibs are waiting for him and they finally own up - David's not there because David died in Mexico from a drug OD. Movie ends back at DeNiro's, as all remaining sibs (plus some SOs) prepare for the next holiday.

Wow - good drama but NOTHING like it was pitched!