Who’s up for an adventure?

Stewart seems to be ready to go anywhere, what with his knapsack, walking stick and pith helmet. Good luck on your adventure, Stewart!

Last night, Adrienne and I had the opportunity to play Agricola. Adam (who loves board games even more than I do) and his wife, Crystal, came over for a night of gaming. We started out playing “the train game” (TransAmerica)–which has become a staple for us because of its simplicity and how everyone likes it–until the pizza arrived.
But, on to Agricola because the real reason for this post is to review a game I’d never played before.
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From New York City, New York

I’m not sure why I’ve always had a sort of fascination with the United Nations building. Perhaps it’s the unique nature of its particular rectangular shape, or maybe I like glass buildings. I’m not really sure, but after seeing it in person it has lost some of its appeal to me. I think I had some idealized version of it i my head, void of all the dirt and grime it has accumulated over the years (something especially relevant for a building with a lot of glass). On a cloudy day, it looks even gloomier. I think I may also have been a bit disappointed that the different countries’ flags were not flying. On the contrary (and to avoid being all negative), I do recall finding it neat that it kind of stands out on its own being by the East River and away from the heart of Manhattan.

I seem to have been reading a lot of dystopian fiction this year. I guess I’m fascinated with pictures of the future, even if those pictures are pretty dark and depressing. While I knew that book number 65, Philip K. Dick’s Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, was a futuristic fiction, I wasn’t prepared for how dark it was. I’ve never seen Blade Runner, you see, and apparently the book is nothing like the movie anyway.

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On the one hand, Tuesday felt like it came back around very quickly.  On the other hand, I started to get the feeling that I should have posted something a couple days ago to cover everything I might want to say.

This weekend was the Mu Kappa fall retreat.  As usual, we went to Lewis & Clark State Park.  As usual, we played games and had lots and lots of food.  Somehow I forget how much food we have on retreat, and how hard it is to resist eating that umpteenth cookie/chip/brownie/etc.  But that’s kind of what happens when you shop to have plenty of snacks for 15 people, and up with even more when divided among 12 people.  Twister was a big hit (not to mention very awkward at times), as was Sardines, Mafia, Dilbert-Corporate Shuffle, and other games were played as well.  We even had a break from the rain in the afternoon so some people could go for a walk, and others of us made use of the horseshoe pit for some 2-on-2 soccer.

Other things to happen this week: I got a new monitor!  I finally justified to myself that I could get an LCD monitor to replace my 17″ CRT.  The primary motivator is that I’m getting back into doing some more website and web application work, and I just didn’t more real estate to work with on my screen.  I had expected to only get a 19″, but then I saw this 22″ widescreen on Newegg for $165 (Acer X223Wbd).  It’s probably not the best 22″ monitor, and certainly lacks some features, but it’s got everything I need, and was by far the most cost effective monitor in that price range.

Final thought: In a few minutes I’ll be heading over to the church to meet up with Bill, Tim and Jason to record a few songs we’ve been working up for the past few months.  Having missed church and last week’s choir practice, I’m hoping voice isn’t too out of shape.