Downloading all the things Add the repository for Gnome Pie Menu: sudo add-apt-repository ppa:simonschneegans/testing sudo apt-get update Download helper utilities: sudo apt-get install easystroke wmctrl xdotool gnome-pie Download apps: Blender Krita 3d Coat 3d Coat is a proprietary product. Ubuntu Studio ships with a version of Blender and Krita but they lag at least a version behind. The shipped versions may well do the job (and be easier to upgrade) unless you specifically need something in a newer version or just like being on the latest version of everything. I stashed all of these in /usr/local as that’s on its own partition on the ssd. My home directory is on a 2Tb not-ssd. I don’t know if that’s “right and proper” for Linux but everything works, I know where it is and it theoretically shouldn’t get hosed if Ubuntu explodes and requires a complete reinstall so I don’t care.

7yo: do you know how an octopus would open a nut? JJ: how? 7yo: the same way it opens a clam. AND YOUR SKULL. This work by ryivhnn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License

Me: oh it’s a cthulu 6yo: a what lu? Me: cthulu. Can you say cthulu? 6yo: kafulu! There was a very cute broad grin that accompanied the attempt. Near enough is good enough for now, even I have trouble saying it XD This work by ryivhnn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License

According to 6yo 2d shapes have “whip” and “lengf” and 3d shapes have “whip, lengf and dep”. This work by ryivhnn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License

Do you know how hard it is to do a coast to hills transect with three kids under 12? Not that hard actually if you go with their interest levels. I would have liked them to observe how the vegetation and soil changed as we went from the eastern outer metro to the coastal part of the Wheatbelt. They were mostly interested in getting to the beach so we just ended up pointing out sand dunes that were covered in vegetation and having quick chats about why the vegetation is important for holding the sand together, and how the soil colour changed from browny-red clay to sand to white sand.

I am a terrible parent. 6yo has actually been 6 for a while. Doing the birthday post got lost in the shuffle partially due to general life busy-ness and mostly because his birthday celebration was quiet and laid back by his choice. We didn’t go anywhere as all he wanted was for his best friend to come over and play Skylanders. He had a couple of friends come over and they all played Skylanders. He apparently wants a Skylanders cake next birthday as we didn’t manage one this time round.

JJ and 6yo are making pancakes, 6yo searches the fridge for toppings. 6yo: Dad! I can’t find any jam! JAAAAAAAAAAAM! WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?! Oh wait here’s some, never mind. This work by ryivhnn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License

10yo: can I do memrise? Me: no. Go to sleep. 10yo: por favor? Me: no. Go to sleep. 10yo: can I go give Daddy a cuddle? Me: no. Go to sleep. 10yo: por favor? Me: na go’i ko sipna 6yo: what does that mean? Me: no. go to sleep! I wanted to wrangle the permission attitudinal in there but couldn’t recall it off the top of my head. Also needed an .i but eh.

This house is more Menagerie than The Menagerie was. Newest additions from left to right: Popcorn, Lucius and Nightshade (which may actually be Knight Shade as I suspect it was named after a Skylander), belonging to 8yo, 10yo and 6yo respectively. We’ve had them for three days so far and they’re settling in slowly. Cats completely do not care about them. Tali has sniffed them both in the cage and in my hand and been great. Angus just wants to bite them. Which then of course stirs Tali up and he wants to play too! Working on that -_-

Earlier today: JJ: (whispers to 6yo to put a banana into the pancake mix they’re making in the kitchen) me (yelling from computer room): I can hear you from here. 6yo (stage whispering): Dad stop stage whispering! Just then: 6yo: Dad can you give me a boost up for the stuff I’m biggenising? JJ: …you want me to help you make that bigger? 6yo: yes please. This work by ryivhnn is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License