Changing Cell Phone Providers

Some cell phone providers won't let you cancel their service, if the plan isn't in your name, without first verifying that it's okay to do so with the person who's name is on the plan. Huh? Why do they care who drops off the plan? Whatever.

Mary and Bert

I know who's going to a Halloween party as Mary Poppins and Bert. Nice.

Happy Birthday, Mom

[For 10/28]

I called my mother to wish her a happy birthday. She seemed a little surprised that I called. Hm. Shame on me?

Vegimeeples

Not only are there animeeples (wooden sheep, pigs, and cows) for the game of Agricola, but there are now also vegimeeples (grain and vegetables) for the same.

Geek Table

We have a new "geek table" on wheels for carting our keyboard and other electronic gear to storage and back in the gym where our congregation worships. Thanks to the elder who constructed it himself!

Muscial Pursuits

My son (see previous post) made it officially known that he intends to take next year off from college and pursue a career (at least for a time) in music with a ska band he is putting together. God bless you and your band, son.

Dedication

[For 10/24]

My wife and I had the first performance of a song (composed by my son) publicly dedicated to us. Thanks again, son.

Scotch Rays

Under the right conditions (i.e., in a vacuum), peeling scotch tape produces x-rays.

Bass Line

[For 10/22]

I typed up the bass part for A Mighty Fortress but forgot to print it off. Sorry, dude. You played fine without it.

Winter Approacheth

I turned the furnace on last night. It was cold enough this morning for it to kick in before I left for work.

The iceman cometh.

Extra Room

There's a chance we may have a guest to fill our one of our guest rooms next (school) year.

Ad-Aware Deep Scan

It apparently takes Ad-Aware 2008 almost 7 hours to do a deep scan of my computer. I started one last night after midnight, and it hadn't finished when someone wanted to use the machine early this morning before 8:00.

The good thing is that nothing really awful was found on the hard drive.

Wasp Nest?

There appears to be a rather large wasp nest in the tree in our backyard. We just noticed it today and so far haven't actually seen any wasps. It does look very papery as a wasp's nest is supposed to and there appear to be one or two small openings -- about wasp size -- in the bottom of it.

And that's [name of game]!

[For 10/17]

I'm not the only one who says, "And that's [name of game]," after finishing a game I have just taught to someone.

Game Designer

I'm related to a game designer. We play-tested his first game tonight. It looks quite promising. Hopefully for info on it later.

More Land

Our congregation decided to purchase more land to build on today. 3.7 acres, for a total of 7 acres.

Good, Close Games

Good games are ones where you think the other guy is winning only to find in the end that either you won or you at least were a lot closer than you thought you'd be. Put Agricola and Puerto Rico in that category for starters.

Bees

Even at this time of the year, bees will keep coming to flowers that still have blossoms -- flowers that are pretty much not growing anymore, but must still be alive.

Eleven Seconds

[For 10/12]

It only takes 11 seconds to lose a football game. Just ask the Chicago Bears how it's done.

Extra Goods and/or Money

[For 10/11]

It pays to have extra good and/or money left over at the end of a game of Puerto Rico. It comes in handy when breaking a 3-way tie. Unfortunately, I wasn't the one who had the single extra coin needed for the win.

Quick 'Gric

[For 10/10]

It's possible to play a 2-player game of Agricola in less than an hour and a half.

Conquering San Juan

[For 10/9]

I think I understand how to play San Juan pretty well. Winning 3 games in a row has shown I'm fairly good...at least for now.

Details, Details

[For 10/8]

There are a lot of details to teach about when explaining how to edit and post a sermon online. It's about as difficult to teach as Agricola.

Reef Encounter

I learned how to play Reef Encounter today. I played a 2-player game with my elder son. We almost played a few things incorrectly, but I think we caught ourselves (okay, he caught me) in time so as not to cheat. We did discover several untried tactics after I reread the rules following my win. I think it would be even more fun to play with 3 or 4 players.

The E Deck

We hadn't been using all the cards in the E Deck when playing Agricola! Horrors!

Cedar Rapids - The Meeting

If you travel enough, it's possible (even likely) that you'll meet people you know in the most unexpected places...like at a church on 42nd Avenue in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Are all the churches in Cedar Rapids located on 42nd Avenue?

Wedding Dances

[For 10/4]

Wedding dances aren't all that interesting when only a few people want to dance. And that's okay, because I'm not one of those who's big into dancing. A little was good and enough.

Coloretto

[For 10/3]

The game called Coloretto is a simple card set collecting game that young children could easily play. I played pretty well my first time and won all 3 rounds of our 3-player game.

Speed San Juan

[For 10/2]

Playing what we have dubbed "Speed" San Juan is lots of fun. We decided to play until company arrived. Whoever was ahead at that time was the winner. Of course, being the winner probably helped increase the enjoyment, but still....

Brewers Lose

[For 10/1]

The Milwaukee Brewers lost the opener in their playoff series, 1-3.