AlbaRosaria: Hopefully, for now I think I will play some video games with the older brother.
Rare that we are ever in the same room together anymore.

That is no fun! I get candy since my parents don't know what else to get me.
On top of that I have to get home via a plane.

But it's probably nice to get to see your family.

I get candy some years. Not much, though. My family learned when I was young that if I got too much, I'd get lost in the Christmas excitement and eat it all and be sick for a week.

That is great, something to connect over. Planes... Hate planes. Pressure problem with the ears.

Man, ya'll are lucky. Never get any candy... And I think it is worth getting sick over candy, Stellar. XD

I'll send you some.

I love planes. I used to have pressure problems, but I've found a few things that help:

1.) Earbuds. The in-ear kind. They help to maintain the same pressure in your ears as there is on the ground. Maybe not precisely, but they make it a little more similar and the change a little more gradual and less painful. Earplugs work to the same effect. Both of these options also help if there's a loud child on the plane, too!

2.) The classic trick with chewing gum. Yawning works too.

I know I know others, but I can't think of them right now.

Stellar I adore your avatar.

Thanks! I still feel like it's not quite complete, but I'm glad it's turning out well!

Maybe a background? Or something in your hand?

I like Stellar's avvie because it's sparkly. XD

Background is what I'm looking for! Unfortunately, I don't have any idea what's available in terms of backgrounds.

But yes, sparkly avatars are fun!

I would go with a dark background.

Sparkles always get my attention.

Sparkles should get everyone's attention. If not, your survival instinct is broken.

...no, really. All evidence suggests that being drawn sparkly things is an important part of survival instinct.

Any suggestions for dark backgrounds I could find?

I think Movie Night (the name is something along those lines; it's a CI) has a really nice nighttime background. I want it. ><

Might be something like Classic Movie Night.

Well, I think I know what I'm questing for next!

Neither of those tricks work for me on a plane. It is a hereditary condition- my grandfather, even, was not allowed to join the military because of his ears. Earbuds, no matter what kind, always give me ear infections anyways.

There are so many CIs I want. The only ones I have at the moment were prizes.

Well, that's no fun. D: Makes me wish I weren't too squeamish to go into biomedical engineering.

All but one of the CIs I currently have were gifts from my partner.

One day I'll be fabulously rich and buy all the CIs I want. ;D;

I have a lot of CI's because I buy them, win them, or get them from friends.

I'm considering buying one or two with actual money - sort of a Christmas gift to Mene's admins, since I'm all but broke outside of Amazon gift cards. But I'm not sure...since I'm all but broke outside of Amazon gift cards.

ear buds make my ears bleed

I can't buy CIs because my mommy and daddy would disapprove.