On occasion at the game club, when a 30-minute block of time opens up, perhaps while waiting for an opponent for the next “serious” game, someone will break out the comical card game Munchkin by Steve Jackson Games. Now this game appears to have been designed for kids, though I don’t recall ever playing it with anyone much under 40.
Archive for July, 2007
Chip in the Battle Axe
Friday, July 27th, 2007Got the new Vandoren V16 mouthpieces I ordered last week. As advertised, the Alto piece (an A7) is a breeze to play. No problem over the entire range (low Bb to high F). Very encouraging. Doesn’t alter my sound much, but it’s easy to play. The tenor (T7) piece I really can’t evaluate, because I’m having problems with my tenor embouchure. Don’t have time to work on it now, so I’m going to park the tenor for awhile and just work the soprano and alto. Too bad. The tenor was my old battle ax.
Today I thought I’d explain the musical differences from what I used to play versus what I’m trying to play now.
Smorgasbord of Life
Thursday, July 26th, 2007Some years ago I went to a gourmet Sunday brunch that was and remains the best culinary experience of my life. Now with most brunches, one or two things leap out as appealing, but not with this one. There were many selections that looked very good. Clearly I couldn’t eat them all, so I actually had to ponder for awhile about what to go with.
Afterward I began to think that on that day I had experienced Kingdom of God living in microcosm. My typical breakfast back then was routine and not very healthy – usually a chocolate-covered donut from the workplace cafeteria. Then one day, I walk into a brunch that opens up possibilities so much better than the donut that I thought I just had to have every day.
ftf
Monday, July 23rd, 2007ftf means face-to-face gaming, as opposed to PBEM (play by electronic mail) or online games. Went to the game club on Saturday for some ftf action. Didn’t get enough players interested in Dune. Instead, played two Euro-style games - Winds of Plunder and Prince of Florence – some MECCG, and the card game BANG!
Tagged!
Friday, July 20th, 2007Rediscovering The Kingdom
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007Occasionally a book is written that launches a movement that culminates in a seminal change in history. Uncle Tom’s Cabin comes to mind. I think Rediscovering The Kingdom by Myles Monroe may be such a book.
The Spice of Life (or at least gaming)
Monday, July 16th, 2007When it comes to games, I prefer the two-player variety to be an intense, well-played match of skill. After all, I am the poster child for intense play at the Consimworld Expo website. With multi-player games I prefer a casual, more social style. Our local game club meets this weekend, and there are noises circulating in email about playing Dune, a multi-player game (based on the Frank Herbert novel) that is best enjoyed if not played casually.
The Sax Project – Take 25
Friday, July 13th, 2007In taking up the sax again after 25 years, two physical challenges have appeared that I didn’t have to deal with in the past – lack of power and stamina.
Faith and Feedback
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007In controls engineering, we work with feedback systems. Feedback is the return of output information back to the input to help manage ongoing control of a system. For instance for a turbine engine, sensors return data on engine speed, temperature, etc. to the control unit, so it can adjust fuel input, so the engine achieves and maintains the commanded speed. Feedback is used to stabilize performance. Without the degree of control made possible by feedback, the engine could overheat or accelerate too quickly and fly apart.
The human mind is also a control system, and whether we realize it or not, we rely upon feedback to assure us that we are navigating our lives correctly.
Twilight Imperium III
Monday, July 9th, 2007This weekend I played Twilight Imperium III for the first time with four local gamers. One playing is not enough to give the game a second look review, but in looking around for a first-time review I did not find one that comprehensively described the latest 3rd edition together with the Shattered Empire Expansion. So here it is.