Roblog

We went to Houston last weekend to see Jonathan Coulton in concert - it was absolutely awesome! He sang just about everything I hoped he would, we got to be just a few rows away from him at an awesome venue, and even the opening act (Paul and Storm) was excellent. We got to see some good friends we hadn’t seen in a while (Billy and Jessica) as well, and had a lot of fun with them, going to the Hobbit Cafe (a LOTR-themed restaurant), and playing lots and lots of Bridge and Dominion. All in all, a fantastic trip.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything, hasn’t it? The last post I have is from day 1 of BGG.Con when I had hoped and expected to post lots and lots of info from this amazing convention. I was too worn out to post any mroe during the convention - it was a blast! I played so many new games, met new people, saw old friends, and had a fantastic time. I can’t wait to go agin next year, and hopefully we’ll get some more friends to go with us. If you get the opportunity to go, do it!

Since then, however, I’ve sort of been offline a lot. Sure, I’ve surfed the web and kept up with stuff, but I haven’t been much of a contributor to the online community. I’ve even withdrawn from posting at some of my favorite places where I’ve been a regular. I’m not entirely sure why - I have a couple of theories, some or all of which are certainly contributory, and the primary one is a function of time. I’ve been spending time doing lots of other things. In particular, I’ve been running a couple of game groups and a part of others, and my log of boardgames played I’ve been keeping is getting quite full.

Yes, I’m logging every game I play now. It’s been pretty neat - for example, a friend of mine recently posted a list of games he’s played every year for the past five years - I’m intrigued to check the stats of my own game plays. I was mildly surprised to see exactly how many plays of Race for the Galaxy and of Dominion I’ve played this year!

In any case, I’ve somewhat withdrawn from online communities, which is a trend I hope to reverse. I’ve felt a bit disconnected, and I’m ready to reconnect.

Day 1 of BGG.Con has concluded for me, and it’s been a blast! So far, I’ve played…

• Aquaretto
• Fluxx: Monty Python Edition
• Sator Arepo Tenet Opera Rotas (!)
• Race for the Galaxy (w/ Gathering Storm Expansion)
• Blokus
• Witch’s Brew
• Galaxy Trucker

So, a pretty light day to start things off. So far, I’ve mostly played games with people I know, though I did get the honor of playing Witch’s Brew with Rick Thornquist. I’ll try to have more tomorrow, with pictures, it’s late and I need some sleep!

So far, it looks like Gustav is going to head further West than us, and we’re just going to get some lighter winds and rains, nothing nearly as terrible as our local newscasters wanted us to think.

Good thing for me, too, because I’ve eaten about half of the non-perishable snacks I bought for me.

Me: What are you watching?

Kristen: I don’t know - either the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics, or gay porn, I can’t tell which.

Most of you already know, we have a good friend who was just accepted into law school here in Jackson, and will be coming to live with him. We’ve got the bedrooms ready, but the front room and dining room are still a mess! We’re working on last-minute preparations, and trying to get everything in order before he arrives on Wednesday. Should be good fun - he’s an exceptionally good gamer, so he should fit right in.

We’ve painted our bedroom a faint shade of white/green called Dew Drop, which looks like this:

It’s nice - Kristen has a good eye for what works, as far as decorating goes. I’m awaiting lawn mower parts to arrive in the mail so I can cut the lawn, which needs it. Technically, it works, but the self-propelled part doesn’t (the belt has gone out), and with our large back yard and my love for the self-propelled aspect of our lawn mower, I’m waiting until the parts come in so I can play Mr. Fix-It before I get to weed-whackin’.

Also, we’re getting geared up for Fantasy Football again this year - let me know if you’re interested in being part of the league.

In Florida, Hillary Clinton is comparing Florida’s Democratic primary issues with the 2000 election. The comparison is absolutely absurd - in 2000, the issue is whether or not a recount was legally necessary/doable, and even after the fact, all but the most extreme recounts suggest Bush did indeed have the most votes in the state. She raised the specter that in 2000, the candidate (Gore) with the most votes did not win the presidency. That’s not a Florida recount issue, that’s an electoral college issue! It seems like cheap ploys designed to suggest that somehow the 2000 election was a sham, and that the Democratic primary this year has the same troubles which she’s now victim to. It’s ridiculous on its face. It is mildly ironic that she raises the specter of a candidate with fewer votes being awarded victory, when that’s precisely what she’s trying to do - be nominated despite likely ending with fewer votes than her competitor (Obama).

I’ve never been a Hillary Clinton fan, so I don’t know why this particular instance has raised my hackles, but it has. Hrm. I’ve said for many months that I think an Obama/McCain matchup would be good for America, and I take some comfort that I might soon be able to find out if I’m right.

I played Australian Rails for the first time last night - it feels a bit swingy, but I don’t think it detracts from the game. I think I like it better than Empire Builder, but I’m still a huge fan of Iron Dragon (which has become Kristen and I’s favorite map).

I’m stuck at home sick today - there are few things less tolerable than congestion with a sore throat. You can’t seem to think straight and it hurts to talk - yuck.

I’ve noticed that I’ve gone far too long since my last blog. I’ve had a lot of commitments lately, all of which I enjoy, but they seem to have taken a good deal of my time. It’s led to me inadvertently cutting back here, which is sort of sad, because I enjoy posting my random thoughts to the few people who check this.

My sister-in-law recently gave birth to a baby boy a shade over a week ago! His name is Caleb, and he seems to be doing okay.  I got to hold him when he was less than 12 hours old - it was really special! I’ll get pictures up at some point.

We did draft fantasy football recently, and we’ve had our best turnout this year with 8 people. It should be a blast! I’m quite happy with my team - I’m surprised at the quality of receivers I was able to snag, while still getting some top players in other positions. (Highlights of my draft include Frank Gore, Willie Parker, Travis Henry, Marc Bulger, Steve Smith (!), Roy Williams, Todd Heap and Plaxico Burress. (Well, maybe that was more than highlights, as its half my team.)

Also, if you get the chance to play Zooloretto - do it. It is an amazing game.

Just some lyrics on my mind… 

“In the silent awe and wonder,
Words fall short to hope again.
How beautiful, how vast your love is,
New forever, world without an end.”
- World Without an End by Five Iron Frenzy

“All my dreams are slowly dying.
I can count my years in scars.
The only one that’s never left me,
has carried me so very far.
I’ve heard it said that he wastes nothing,
so beautiful to behold,
the author of my hope is writing,
the greatest story ever told.”
- The Greatest Story Ever Told by Five Iron Frenzy

Never stop worshipping.

I’m currently on the road on secret assignment - I can’t tell you why yet, but all will be revealed in time. In any case, I’m having too much fun playing with Kristen’s Treo.

In other news, yesterday I found out a good friend of ours is going to be here in Mississippi for the next four years at least. Everyone is very happy about that, myself included, cause for celebration indeed.

Here’s hoping I can get this posted from this tiny screen! Have a wonderful St. Patrick’s Day weekend!