In this part of the conversation, we talk about our recent experience playing the board game Small World for my birthday. It was a fun time for me and my kids, and even sparked some nostalgia for my daughter Ally, who used to play it with her dad. We discuss the different characters we enjoy playing in role-playing games, like warriors, thieves, sneaky rogues, and powerful mages. Shannon adds that she tends to be a leader and approaches games analytically. We have a great discussion exploring the various character options and traits.

Moving on, we delve into the fascinating world of idioms and phrases. We explore their meanings and the cultural and historical context behind them. Idioms like "cherry on top" and "caught between a rock and a hard place" are touched upon, underscoring the importance of cultural knowledge in understanding them fully. We ponder the origins and common usage of idioms such as "beef up" and "bigger fish to fry," reflecting on their literal meanings. Additionally, we dive into idioms like "cool as a cucumber" and "costs an arm and a leg," marveling at their alliteration and metaphorical associations. Through this exploration, we gain a deeper appreciation for the linguistic and cultural significance of idioms.

As we near the end of the show, we discuss idioms that seem nonsensical at first glance. Phrases like "dress to the nines" and "beating a dead horse" are mentioned, acknowledging that while their origins may be unclear, they have become ingrained in our everyday language. We laugh and joke about idioms like "bringing home the bacon" and "beating around the bush," recognizing the absurdity and charm they bring to our conversations. Before bidding farewell, we sprinkle in a few more idioms like "running like the wind" and "the straw that broke the camel's back." We look forward to reconnecting with you in the next episode!

00:00:12 Refreshments and a Cough
00:04:14 Transition to Karaoke Experience
00:07:23 Dealing with a Special Needs Dog
00:10:47 Recounting a painful dog bite incident
00:13:48 Snake's good eating habits and lack of venom
00:17:40 Reassurance about a non-biting gecko
00:20:40 Gecko's Photogenic and Smiling
00:27:21 Cricket Feeding Techniques and Doobie Roaches
00:30:57 Once Upon a Time in Hollywood Movie Review
00:36:46 A Hallmark vs. Lifetime movie debate
00:46:14 Company's Valuable News and Reporting Structure Changes
00:56:32 Reptile Lighting Solutions and Day-Night Cycles
01:07:23 Creating Characters and Party Goals
01:11:11 Dealing with Party Conflicts and PvP
01:16:40 Survival in high-level fights and character mortality.
01:27:22 Discussing preferred character types for D&D
01:30:26 Considering being a network security engineer in Shadowrun
01:34:01 Discussing Ellie's character's level and edition of D&D
01:37:35 Different Classes and Play Styles
01:47:26 The meaning of "eating shit" in different contexts
01:50:52 Curious about the origins of idioms
01:54:31 Reflecting on the difficulty of learning idioms in another language
01:57:51 Discussing the confusion caused by literal translations of idioms
02:01:00 Reflecting on the difficulty of understanding idioms as a newcomer
02:11:19 Idioms: Snowball's Chance in Hell, Raining Cats and Dogs
02:20:30 The confusion of idioms and their meanings
02:29:45 The Last Straw and Blood Splatter
02:33:20 All Ears and Add Fuel to the Fire
02:35:35 Misunderstanding idiomatic expression - Bend over backward confusion
02:36:07 A Bone to Pick with Idioms
02:41:29 Figurative Expressions: Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree
02:44:31 Figurative Expressions: Cross Your Fingers
02:47:55 Casual Conversation and Nervousness about Next Week
02:53:22 Understanding the Same Boat Analogy
02:56:05 Strange Idioms and their Literal Meanings
03:01:02 Odd-sounding Expressions: Enchiladas, Shooting Matches, and More
03:04:06 Confusion and Frustration with Idioms