watching expired appliances align

I'm about to dash off the laundromat, but I want to mention I woke up this morning to a fantastic sight - my bathroom cabinet mirror was closed! And it's still closed!

This Christmas I found a mini glue gun in my stocking. I had no idea this little device would fix the issue with the metal strip on my cabinet. I'm sure many of you thought it and probably a few folks mentioned it to me. I had no idea glue guns created such a thick layer of glue! So far, so good. I want to thank my parents for knowing the glue gun was just the item needed to make my life a tiny bit better!

Posted by Marc at 10:43 AM | Permalink

I'm excited for the 3rd Annual New Year's Day Board Game Party. Since last year's event, I've acquired a few more games. The list below contains some of the highlights. I expect to see you playing them.

FOR SALE - This game of buying and selling real estate falls into the "Appetizers" section of last year's board game menu. The idea behind this real estate themed game is simple - buy low and sell high! (3-6 players, 20 minutes)

HOLLYWOOD BLOCKBUSTER - Despite the current writer's strike, film production is still going on at this party. Start with script cards and bid on talent, special effects and sound design to assemble the best movies. Drop this game into the slightly more "Hearty Fare" portion of last year's menu. There's something about auction games that have me hoping this one will hit the table. (2-5 players, 45 minutes)

LIAR'S DICE (aka PERUDO) - Can you bluff and lie and con your way into capturing everyone's dice? If so, add your name to the winner's board. I'll be honest, I haven't played this game but I really want to and I will force you into joining me for a game or two on Tuesday. (2-6 players, 15 minutes)

NIAGARA - The thought of sending my canoe over the falls while hunting for diamonds scares me. That can't happen. The object of this "push your luck" game is to collect the jewels and return them to a safe spot upriver. (3-5 players, 45 minutes)

RA - Everyone's favorite Sun God is quite powerful. In this auction game that explores civilization in ancient Egypt your role is that of society builder. Collect river tiles, monuments, gold and more while watching out for droughts, earthquakes, etc. This is a fun one, and currently ranked 15th on boardgamegeek.com. (3-5 players, 60 minutes)

TUMBLIN-DICE - I haven't played this game once during the past month. I cannot wait to take on all challengers. This fast paced game has competitors shooting dice down a four-tiered board. The more high-numbered dice you can land on the smaller pads at the bottom, the higher your score. Be warned - very simple math skills are required. (2-4 players, 15 minutes)

I will also have a new single player version of ELECTRONIC FROGGER available.

Posted by Marc at 01:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I am so so so so so hooked on NBC's JOURNEYMAN. Sadly, there is just one episode left. The rest of the season wasn't picked up. Such a fun time travel show. I'm pretty sure it was my favorite new show of the Fall season.

Also, this writer's strike has me thinking I'll cancel my cable TV subscription once THE WIRE finishes airing on HBO.

UPDATE
* I love serialized television. I'm not sure there are many good shows from the past 10 years (now available on DVD) that I missed. Does anyone own ROME? I'd like to borrow those DVD's? What else? Please help. Last week I watched an episode of THE SARAH SILVERMAN PROGRAM each night. I enjoyed them a bunch, but now I've seen all of them. I'm willing to lend WONDERFALLS to anyone who is curious about a Brown grad who finds that inanimate animal objects talk to her and tell her to do things.

Posted by Marc at 11:31 PM | Permalink

Posted by Marc at 08:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

During my Thanksgiving vacation cousin Dave gave me the rundown on his holiday gift-giving philosophy. I made a few notes and present the list below.

Only give Christmas gifts if you're going to be there in person.
Children under 5 get a ball.
Boys ages 5-12 get a pocket knife.
Girls ages 5-12 get anything "unicorn." Girls love unicorns.
Boys ages 12-17 get cologne.
Girls ages 12-17 get perfume.
Adults get either a toaster or an alarm clock with big numbers.

I wrote down this list in his presence. At first I wrote "alarm clock" and he corrected me, noting the importance of one with big numbers. "Next year they will tell you how much they appreciate the alarm clock with big numbers on it."

MightyJunior just linked to a color changing ball sold by the MoMA design store. I couldn't be happier. Sadly, it's on backorder.

Posted by Marc at 03:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

On Thanksgiving morning my family and I visited Saguaro National Park outside Tucson. It's an amazing environment and a place I certainly would like to visit again.

(Aunt Sally)

(cousins Dave and Steve)

(Mom)

Posted by Marc at 12:28 AM | Permalink

During my Thanksgiving trip to Tucson, we visited the San Xavier del Bac Mission. I took a few photos.

Posted by Marc at 10:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I bought some Vitamin E skin care lotion today and I've applied it to my forehead a few times. It smells like decaying plant material.

On Thanksgiving I tripped down some stairs and scuffed up part of my forehead. No concussion. No stitches, but a nasty bump/scrape/cut. The bruise on my hip is healing slowly. I will live to walk down another flight of stairs. With tied shoes next time.

Posted by Marc at 12:26 AM | Permalink