Get me a herald! I have conflicts!

Oy...

In the "Baronial Birthday vs. Sister's Wedding?" contest, the winner is clear, especially as I am a matron of honor.

But in the "Novice Tourney vs. Harp Festival" contest, the outcome is less certain. The Somerset Harp Festival used to be held exclusively in Somerset, NJ, mere miles from my alma mater and within minutes of the old homestead. Then they started migrating it, first out to the West Coast, and now to nearby Alexandria, VA! The same weekend as Novice!

Somerset is an awesome harp experience. The workshops are fabulous and the concerts are grand. I haven't been to one in years - 2004 or something like that.

Although I seem to recall a registration fee in the hundreds of dollars. That might be the deciding factor this time around.

"Making learning fun!"

While there are teachers who can make learning fun, those programs specifically designed to do so generally come across as lame.

Now, I'd have thought games like The Sims or Second Life would flop. Who wants to play pseudo-real life? I guess lots of people do, though. It's Real Life, Only Better. Or something.

So maybe the idea of a NASA-sponsored massively multiplayer online game isn't doomed. But I think if they are clever, they'll have a lot of simulated emergencies and maybe even some kind of simple alien life to be discovered. Or some in-game rewards for answering questions via scientific inquiry.

Quote of the Day

Dear Prudence,
I'm 24, and I've been with my boyfriend for about 18 months. We were friends in high school, then met again after college, and started living together almost immediately. We have been talking about marriage lately, which I am beyond excited about; however, my boyfriend has informed me that I need to lose 20 pounds before he will propose. He claims that's the only reason he hasn't asked me yet. In his words, he wants "a hot wife." Am I crazy to think that unconditional and true love still exists? Everything else in our relationship is great. I don't want to walk away from something so wonderful, but this just seems a little ridiculous. Help!

—In Love With Mr. Vain

Dear In Love,
I have a plan that will make both of you happy. It begins with you starting on a new exercise program. Get a comfortable outfit and a pair of excellent workout shoes. Then put all your worldly possession in a suitcase, pick it up, walk out the door, and keep on walking.

—Prudie

- Dear Prudence. Normally, I'd only have posted her reply, which is the Quote of the Day, but all of its effect comes from the preceding question.