My cherubs and I went to Episode II today. Poor Rob was on call, so he couldn't go with us. The boys and I went after school. It was much better than Episode I. I'm wondering how they wipe out C3PO's memory so well that he has no recollection of the name Skywalker, or the moisture farm, or anything at all about Tatooine in time for the original Star Wars to take place.

Rob bought EQ for me and thoughtfully installed it on my PC, plus his extra PC on his desk. My little wood elf bard had so many dead bodies strewn through the forest, they started numbering my corpses. For some reason, I find I'm not interested in EQ the way I with Sims or with the big or little game. It feels like there's so many things to keep track of and all these buttons to push. Another player tried to talk to me one night and I brushed past him on my way somewhere else. The cherubs, watching over my shoulder, were like, "Hey! that guy's talking to you!" and I said, "Yeah, but I'm not interested in making any friends, I have enough trouble figuring this place out." I don't suppose I'll win any popularity contests this way.

The unexpected side result though is that the cherubs have been on a very good behaviour pattern since EQ was installed. As they work their way out of various restrictions, they have gained back four hours of "free" time that they can use to watch TV (for shows other than Antiques Roadshow, which they are required to watch with me) or play on the computer. They are choosing to play EQ. Chris has brought up every single one of his grades since he's been living with me. I have the report card to prove it. So as his reward, he will earn one hour of play time per day. Phil earns additional playing time by getting ready on time for school in the morning.

The trouble is that I don't want this game to eat their lives. I don't mind if they don't watch any TV. But I don't want to find them staring glassy eyed at the PC screen all the time, either.

I want my boys to be with me all the time. Please pray that this is what happens. Every time I turn around it seems something else comes up and I'm just so sad about it all. I'm still waiting too for my letter from the state absolving me from three job searches a week. My registration appointment for school is Tuesday afternoon. Finishing up the paralegal certificate would be so wonderful. Getting unemployment while doing it would make my life run more smoothly.