As for the photo retouch -- Ellie has uncovered two chimpanzees otherwise camouflaged by the fireplace's exaggerated glow. And she seems to have cleaned up my living room as well (no small accomplishment these days). I had some other no-flash photos where the lighting worked out better but the boys were making truly ridiculous faces. It's always a trade-off around here.
This morning, following a rain-soaked night, I found that the Grinch was having a problem re-inflating. I left everything switched off for the first part of the day and went out a short while ago to finally investigate. For some reason the Grinch would not stand up straight... He kept drooping to the side, nodding toward the driveway...
After some fumbling around with the guide-lines I found the source of the Grinch's malady: he's got rainwater built up in a fabric-fold the runs around the edge of his hat. I tried squeezing it, tilting it, attempting to pour it down the center but no luck. The weight of the water pulls his head off to the side. I think I'll just have to let it evaporate (and hopefully Alane won't drove the car into the Grinch's face as it leans mockingly over the edge of the driveway).
Saw Ellexa on a webcam call earlier today. She waved to me, said a few word fragments, and crapped on Bazzukajoe's desk. It was cool.