Eris

Today was Eris's school fete. It was pretty good, and well-attended. The rain stopped about ten minutes before the official opening time, and the sun was soon cooking everyone quite nicely.

I was intending to make some nifty biscuits for the cake stall, but the necessary modifications to the recipe for a modern environment (NUTS! AAAAAAAH! RUN!) left me with a mix that was probably a little heavier on the moisture than desirable. I was well on the way towards dialing in the right oven temperature and so forth, but just ran out of time.

If anyone needs irregular fruitcake biscuits, please see me. I have many, and more dough.

Getting Eris away from the rides was fun ...

My daughter, for her bedtime story tonight, had me read several poems by Edgar Allen Poe. She now plans to draw a picture of Lenore, being taken young from this Earth, at some point in the near future.

She is currently falling asleep listening to "A Slight Case of Overbombing", the Sisters of Mercy greatest hits compilation album.

Just got back from Eris's latest TV commercial shoot. It was only about a half hour, for a quick scene of "two kids delighted with the cubby house they just won in a contest".

Unfortunately, this will only be airing in New Zealand. On the positive side, I should be able to get a copy from the guys making it. I'll post here if I get anything to share.

Finally, a clear night when Eris didn't have to get up early the next day.

She was a lot more excited about seeing the comet than I was really expecting. I just know she had this vision in her mind of a huge fireball racing through the sky over her head, but she thought it was cool anyway. Once Paul's pictures are all in and suitably post-processed to his liking, I'll post a few more here. I just did a quick levels adjustment on the one to the left, here. I'm sure Paul will manage a lot better with his (now quite substantial) collection of source images.

Eris is now an official schoolgirl. She's been hanging out for this for ages, and now the day has finally come.

We had a little debrief at Gloria Jean's afterward, and she had a good time. Sooner or later it'll sink in that this school thing will take a long time to finish up, though, so I hope the enthusiasm keeps up for twelve years or so.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Lisa for finding the last of the Pixel Chix in Melbourne. I know Eris wants one, and I'd been planning on getting one for her. If we hadn't managed to obtain this item, I have no idea what I would have bought her for Christmas.

Hooray. I can relax!

There's something about these pictures that she drew. I don't know what, but I really like it. Maybe it's the fact that she seems to be developing a distinctive style. It's strange, and slightly disturbing, but I'd expect nothing less from my baby.

Eris asked if we could go to the coffee shop today. I said we couldn't really, because I'm almost completely out of money. So, she pulled a ten dollar note out of her purse and said she'd pay.

She only ended up paying for her drink, since I'd reached the "free regular drink" point on my loyalty card. Still, it amazes me constantly how sweet and generous she can be.

I got a new card, and we put her name on it. She gets the credit from now on.

I hate being broke all the time, as a consequence of working bugger all hours these days, but getting to spend all the time with Eris that I do makes it all worth it. Oh yeah.

Eris made a movie. I helped, obviously, but the concept, story, dialogue and shot framing are all hers. I mainly edited it (with her sitting on my lap and approving my work) and did some voices.

Needs Quicktime 7 for playback. Don't complain at me about that.

Eris's friend, Amy, is over for a visit today. I'm sitting down in my office, listening in amusement, as two four-year-old girls play games and draw pictures. It seems my presence is not required, unless they manage to click the wrong button again, and the doll-maker website gets lost, or if I need to deliver another massive collection of pens and crayons upstairs.

Wish it was warmer. I'm sick of this whole "cold" thing. I want to go outside and play.