Thanks, DR ChasSmith, for your detailed response on the generator. Exactly the kind of information I was interested in finding out about. So great that you have done all the research!
I've had some very good help, starting with an electrician who not only lives around the corner and is one of the best in town, but who has gotten to know me and my interests a bit through several lesser jobs -- so it's just a bit more than "just another job".
BK might even be amused to know that when I posted a couple of lines on the HTF referring to my plans to install a generator, as opposed to getting a portable like so many do, I got a note from Robert Harris offering several do's and don't's based on his own experience. He's on his second one, having not had proper guidance on the first. His is a step up from mine, a 22kw on which he runs the whole house -- EXCEPT for his home theater -- which in his case is bound to be a lot of home theater, with the main power-suckers being some huge amps for some incredible speakers. And I'm sure he's got a great house besides. But 22kw handles everything except the "hobby" just fine.
Of course I appreciated that more than I can say. It's rather like a gift falling out of the sky.