So our soon-to-be former junior engineer (and our former intern) Dan is leaving us for graduate school.  He wanted to have his going away party at Chuck E. Cheese.  Supporting Dan in this venture was myself, our undergrad intern (Chris), grad intern (Alexis),  and even our 47 year old coworker, William, joined us.  Once there we enjoyed greasy pizzas, tokens, and much electronic fun.

I played this DDR-like (that's Dance Dance Revolution) game (hated it, you don't stand in the middle like the home-version), played some arcade golf, some kind of snow-mobile racing game, and skeeball.  Oh, to be a kid again!

And in case you're wondering, we thought it would be a good idea to give our coupon winnings to one of the moms.

All in all a very good time.  I told William when he retires and if Chuck E. Cheese is still around, we will have his retirement party there!

My cellie just recently rang.  I answer:

<Koine>                Hello?
<Cousin Jansen>  Hey, Wayne.
<Koine>                Hey, WAYNE?!       Nice. 

Apparently, he's getting some major computer help from my IT consultant brother, so I guess I forgive J.  I guess I should be use to this by now ...

Or last week, we celebrated Father's Day at my cousin's house.  So I walk over and help his daughter solve a word-search book (she's 5).  After we solved a few, I ask her:

<Koine>                  Do you remember my name?
<Cousin Jennifer>  Ah ... <thinks real hard & smiles> ... no.
<Koine>                  What's her name?  (Pointing to my sister-in-law)
<CJ>                       Christine!
<Koine>                  How about them?  (Pointing to my brothers)
<CJ>                       I don't know.

After giving her a hint of the first few letters, she did remember my name.  Forget about "blood is thicker than water".  I guess being the youngest with no sisters (though w/ two older brothers), I shouldn't fault her either.