R. wins 381-342

R. wins 381-342
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

R. wins with the help of the only bingo in the game: oneness. I spilled my drink before we started playing

A wins 456-328

A wins 456-328
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

I started off this game with a bingo: cabinEd and had a second one later: misspend. The second one was my first ever double-double, good for 102 points. This game was my highest score yet.

After the Estimation game.

After the Estimation game.
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

We played a game of Estimation after afternoon dessert at the Houck Christmas. Jon won.

Vicious kitty.

Vicious kitty.
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

At the UHACC party.

A. wins 338-269

A. wins 338-269
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

I started the game with a bingo (oKaying) but didn't really have anything great after that.

A. wins 417-257

A. wins 417-257
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

I hit 400+ points for the first time ever with the help of two bingos: roadies and training. Also had a four word combo with some, moss, lids and ones. That was only worth 21 points, but it was fun.

I finally found a great use for the function keys! Using xbindkeys and xbindkeys-config, I was able to easily map the F2, F3, and F4 keys to go directly to the post page for some of my blogs. I'll have to send the .xbindkeysrc file to myself so that I can load this on all the computers that I post from. I don't know if it will help me post more frequently, but it certainly can't hurt.

A wins 354-301

A wins 354-301
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

No bingos. :(

A. wins 370-289

A. wins 370-289
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

I had all the good tiles tonight. One bingo: ennoble.

A wins 322-265

A wins 322-265
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

I win tonight at Caribou in Naperville.

A. wins 350-302

A. wins 350-302
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

Finally! I won, but it wasn't easy. At the start = had 'liquor' but did not have a place to play it. I passed several times and then missed seeing that I could play 'howl' and 'liquor' for 75 points. I made up for it later with 'snoozed' for 115.

R. wins 350-310

R. wins 350-310
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

Another loss for me!

R. wins 375-263

R. wins 375-263
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

Once again, R. destroyed me in a timed game. This makes six in a row that she has won, and has reminded me that I have been slacking on posting the game pics.

Job hunt woes #1

Today, I submitted my first of what will hopefully be a few applications for a permanent job.

Preparing my application package was a time-intensive process that has taken my attention away from day-to-day activities, like some research, some course prep, some exercise, and certainly re-organizing my office. On the other hand, I did find that it made me think seriously about my teaching philosophy and research goals. I think there is some value in keeping those ideas in mind.

I just remembered a random thing that has frequently annoyed me:

Watching home improvement shows on HGTV or TLC that show a renovation project that begins with a demolition where the renovator starts by swinging a sledge hammer willy nilly really drives me crazy. First of all, demolition in this manner creates a larger mess than necessary. It is far easier to clean up large chunks than the tiny pieces of shrapnel that the sledging creates. Secondly, anything that is constructed can be de-constructed. You can salvage material for scrap or reuse and you guarantee that base structures needed for rebuilding onto are not damaged. And finally, it takes more energy to swing the heavy hammer than is necessary. You get tired easily doing the demolition the way it is shown on TV. And lastly...I've never seen a pro do demolition with a sledge.

A. wins 316-252

A. wins 316-252
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

After a day trip to Allerton Park we stopped in at the Coffeehound in Bloomington for drinks and a game.

288-249

288-249
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

R. wins again big time.

A wins 342-341

A wins 342-341
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

R. led the whole game until the very last play. She had 68 points for "quits" and I had "slinGEr" for a bingo.

Science Friday: Making Science Radioactive

One of my favorite radio shows is Science Friday, which is on many NPR stations every Friday in the "Talk of the Nation" time slot. Last Friday, Ira talked with the current project manager and the former project manager of the Voyager space probes which are now 30 years old! (Hey...that's how old I am...) Listen to the podcast version of the show.

R. wins 255-253

R. wins 255-253
Originally uploaded by achmorrison.

Tonight makes two in a row for R. This was a timed game, hence the lower score for both of us.