&games

The movie "Wanted" went into wide release today. Picked up two parties who had just seen it.

First party:

Me: So, was it any good?

Chick: It was great. I'm going back to see it stoned.

Second party:

Me: So was it any good?

Dude: It was awesome.

Me: Was it just cool special effects, or was it a descent movie with a plot and good acting?

Dude: Well.... it was... ummmm .... I guess.... ummmm.... it had awesome effects.

Me: But was it a good movie?

Dude: Well... I guess... it was... I dunno.... I guess it wasn't bad.

Bottom line: I'll be skipping it.

...I hope it's not too early to make this observation.

I never thought George Carlin was funny.

He had a few humorous bits, but so does my wife. That doesn't mean she should tour the country and tell three funny jokes (with lots and lots of filler) to a roomful of potheads as a career.

In Fairbanks we really have a love/hate relationship with the summer solstice.

Starting on the first semi-warm day in March we talk with glee about the days getting longer. By the end of May we talk about all the wonderful daylight we are getting. We chuckle at the tourists who have difficulty understanding that we don't have a fireworks display on the Fourth of July, and in June we throw a huge party on the day of the summer solstice.

But as often (possibly more often) as we talk about the glorious summer solstice we talk about what comes after. "Days are getting shorter." "By the end of August the leaves will be falling." "Two months from now it will be dark at this time." "Only ten, maybe twelve more weekends and it will be winter." "Now we're losing daylight." "Won't be long now."

Contrast that to the winter solstice. We are mostly indifferent to the winter solstice. The winter solstice might get mentioned in passing, but there is no light at the end of the tunnel on the day of winter solstice. The two coldest months are yet to come and December isn't even over. Breakup is at least four months away. It's going to be three months before the sun is above the horizon on your morning commute. People spend much more time worrying and hoping that their car will start in the cold weather than they do contemplating the fact that the sun is above the horizon for an additional 6+ minutes every day.

But, by God, you can't have a conversation in late June or July without someone bemoaning the fact that today is six minutes shorter than yesterday.

There is no light at the end of the tunnel on winter solstice, but on summer solstice there is certainly darkness at the end of the well lit tunnel. Summer may have just officially started, but that simply means it's time to start preparing for winter. In these parts fall only lasts a few short weeks. If you wait until fall to prepare for winter you are screwed.

It may be a balmy 80 degrees today, but in the back of every one's mind is the thought that from this point forward the days only get shorter.

It won't be long now.

Remember when you drove by one station, noted that the price went up 2 cents, and hurriedly filled up at the next station that had not yet raised their prices?

All I can do is thank God that I don't live in Canada, or any other socialist country.

$14.76?

Just paid $4.34 for regular.

I dreamt that the PC police fixed their sights on the plumbing industry.

Male and female ends of plumbing fixtures (pipes, joints, and whatnot) were to be referred to as "innies" and "outies".

True story.

Lifted this bit of advice from long-time NYC cabdriver G.S. from his blog Cabs are for Kissing.

Is your cabdriver driving like a maniac? Ask him to slow down because you just ate some iffy food and now you feel nauseated.

As long as your driver speaks English, it will work.

I haven't been driving nearly as long as G.S. so my advice is much less nuanced:

Don't call a bitch a bitch. Doesn't matter that you are technically correct. If she really is a bitch she will get back at you.

- If I don't get arrested or sued in the next few days I'll tell the whole story.

-- Seriously. I half expect to be arrested. Bad, bad business calling the wrong bitch a bitch.... several times. Oh well, for what it is worth, she is proving me right.... Once again proving that it may be better to remain silent than be technically correct.

When Boardgamegeek added the "recommendations" function, I noted a game called Neuland was a top recommendation for me (as is Chinese Checkers, for some reason).

Never heard of it. Looked like a good game, but it was long out of print. I did not expect to ever play the game and merely put that bit of information in the back of my mind.

Lo and Behold! What's this I see in my local gamestore? Neuland? Z-Man games just reprinted it? How did this bit of news slip under my radar?

Smells good, by the way.