isn't that the way

okay, so we spent all that time on the phone with tech support, trying to figure out what to do, ended up getting them to email the shipping info to AD...and after discussing how we would handle it, we turned on the Xbox one more time...and it works fine. I just played Civ with simontrueheart for 2 hours, no issues at all.

I guess it heard us talking. Who knows. The Xbox lady said the shipping label is good for 20 days, so if it dies again, we can send it in.

twitters from orangerful

• 16:17 @adravan I'm hoping to get the game this weekend! I was going to get it today but forgot my gift card at home! d'oh! #
• 16:19 @hravan have my Failwhale pin attached to my bag. Thank you! #
• 16:19 FREE SLURPEE DAY! Don't forget to stop by 7-11 and get your free 11 oz. Hopefully there will be some cups left when I get outta here at 5 #
• 18:17 AH! RED RING OF DEATH ON THE XBOX...it went away but we had quite a scare #
• 20:03 xbox iz ded. Contacting customer support #
• 20:20 @TheSenator yeah, and Customer Support is crap. #

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photos of not-me

My friend Amanda got married last weekend. Very nice, very small wedding. She had the ceremony and reception at the Visionary Arts Museum in Baltimore. It was very cool (though the Post Secret displays on the walls were a bit distracting, we made sure to read them all at rehearsal so we wouldn't be tempted during the actual event).

The photographer has a blog and posted a handful here. They are gorgeous photos (except for the one with me making the "I'm not gonna cry" face). The thing I find the most interesting is that I'm pretty sure she did the effects in Photoshop, which is kind of cool and kind of weird. I mean, consider how much work it would take to get photos like that the old fashioned way, using different lighting, different film, and a dark room. Madness.

Anyway, she did a wonderful job of capturing the entire day's events. And Amanda looks gorgeous. Its so weird to think that both of my best friends from high school are married. I just hope Manders doesn't fall off the face of the Earth, the way our other friend did after she tied the knot.

book thoughts: Elephant and Piggie

I Love My New Toy! (Elephant and Piggie)

I Will Surprise My Friend! (Elephant and Piggie)

As you probably know, I love Mo Willems.  I adore his artwork, his sense of humor, and his ability to appeal to the kid inside everyone.

Elephant and Piggie are his easy reader books.  These two friends get themselves into all kinds of silly situations.  The art may look simple, but it is so expressive. 

These are the two newest titles in the series - I Will Surprise My Friend and I Love My New Toy.  Of the two, I think Surprise is the stronger story, though I know everyone can identify with Piggie's stress in New Toy. 

I like to call these books "portable sunshine" as it is hard not to smile as you flip through them.  If you've got anyone little to shop for, I highly recommend picking these titles up.  If you just want to giggle for a few moments, stop by your library or a book store and read threw a couple of these gems. 

Originally posted on orangerful.vox.com