We introduced a couple of friends to Yahtzee last night and I scored probably the best score I've ever racked up in a game. Of course, to do that when you're introducing people to the game is a bit embarrassing, especially as you have to keep saying things like: "It's very rare to get a Yahtzee, oh look, there's my second one..."
So, with over 100 on my upper section, and every box filled on the lower section, plus the extra Yahtzee, my 417 won the day. It also took the shine off Irony Boy's double-Yahtzee game as he could only manage to get into the high 300s. Would it be wrong to admit that made it even better!
We then went to a second round where I won again with a very respectable 270-something. Next time we play I know I'll struggle to break 150!
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
More banned chocs
Life group social at ours last night and, as usually happens, we were inundated with sweets and stuff. One guest brought some Nestle After Eight chocolates which weren't the flat kind of After Eight's I remember, but were more like 'proper' chocolates, complete with minty fondant filling.
Why does evil taste so good?
Why does evil taste so good?
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Third time's the charm
Last night I introduced my Dad and brother to the cinematic brilliance which is Transformers. Of course, this meant I had to see it for a third time, but, hey, I'm not complaining.
Admittedly, this time round I did start asking myself obvious plotting questions like, why does Optimus Prime carry Sam and Mikaela away from the encounter with Sector 7, when they could have just ridden in his cab in truck form? And he'd have been less obvious as a lorry than as a fifty foot robot running through the city. Plus there seem to be one or two continuity errors. For example, how does Sam get his jeans back on after the cool CD-player Transformer rips them off?
But still, it's a film which stirs my soul, particularly Optimus Prime's speech at the end of the movie: "I have witnessed their capacity for courage and, like us, there is more to them than meets the eye. We live among them now, hidden in plain sight. I'm Optimus Prime and I'm sending this message out to all autobots who have survived in hiding: We are here! We are waiting!"
Yeah, bring on Transformers 2!
Admittedly, this time round I did start asking myself obvious plotting questions like, why does Optimus Prime carry Sam and Mikaela away from the encounter with Sector 7, when they could have just ridden in his cab in truck form? And he'd have been less obvious as a lorry than as a fifty foot robot running through the city. Plus there seem to be one or two continuity errors. For example, how does Sam get his jeans back on after the cool CD-player Transformer rips them off?
But still, it's a film which stirs my soul, particularly Optimus Prime's speech at the end of the movie: "I have witnessed their capacity for courage and, like us, there is more to them than meets the eye. We live among them now, hidden in plain sight. I'm Optimus Prime and I'm sending this message out to all autobots who have survived in hiding: We are here! We are waiting!"
Yeah, bring on Transformers 2!
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Dinner pitchside
After watching the mighty Shrews stumble to a 1-0 win over Bradford on the Saturday, we returned to 'don't-call-it-New-Meadow' for Sunday lunch.
The only problem with being a vegetarian is the number of chefs who are terrified of producing something bland, so go for something a bit way out. So, for the first time ever in my 'try-anything-once' life, I sampled the gastronomic delights of a savoury cheesecake. Bizarrely it was topped with caramelised onion, figs and pears, meaning it was very sweet.
Still, an interesting culinary experience, made all the better by a copious supply of new potatoes. The spicy carrot soup for starters was kickin' too, and the apple and sultana crumble was a top notch dessert. You don't expect fine dining at a football ground, just like you don't expect Town to be topping the table after two opening fixtures which looked incredibly tough before the season kicked off. But this is a new era and the feeling that anything can happen is building.
As we waited for our coffee, we went for a wander out onto the newly consecrated hallowed turf. I posed in the dug-out for photos and laughed at Dave's impressions of various STFC managers down through the years. It's new, but it's already home.
The only problem with being a vegetarian is the number of chefs who are terrified of producing something bland, so go for something a bit way out. So, for the first time ever in my 'try-anything-once' life, I sampled the gastronomic delights of a savoury cheesecake. Bizarrely it was topped with caramelised onion, figs and pears, meaning it was very sweet.
Still, an interesting culinary experience, made all the better by a copious supply of new potatoes. The spicy carrot soup for starters was kickin' too, and the apple and sultana crumble was a top notch dessert. You don't expect fine dining at a football ground, just like you don't expect Town to be topping the table after two opening fixtures which looked incredibly tough before the season kicked off. But this is a new era and the feeling that anything can happen is building.
As we waited for our coffee, we went for a wander out onto the newly consecrated hallowed turf. I posed in the dug-out for photos and laughed at Dave's impressions of various STFC managers down through the years. It's new, but it's already home.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
Late night driving
The A49 (aka the road to hell) was closed above Leominster, so we had to follow a diversion through some backwoods villages. As we zoomed along country lanes eating McCoys crisps a thought occurred to me.
You don't drive in Shropshire - you rally.
You don't drive in Shropshire - you rally.
I made a girl cry
But I have no regrets. I know, I'm a mean so-and-so aren't I... Perhaps an explanation is in order.
A friend I work with told me one of the articles in the new magazine (due out any time now) made her tear up. She then told me I'd better not have made the bit up that moved her.
Obviously, I take a certain amount of journalistic offence at the accusation that I make quotes up, even though it has been known to happen in the past. But this was a 'golden quote'. You tend to get one or two in every interview. Someone says something and you just know 'that has to go in'. I knew it was gold when I scribbled it down.
So is it wrong to feel good about making someone else cry? It's cool to think I can spot a golden quote and write it up properly.
A friend I work with told me one of the articles in the new magazine (due out any time now) made her tear up. She then told me I'd better not have made the bit up that moved her.
Obviously, I take a certain amount of journalistic offence at the accusation that I make quotes up, even though it has been known to happen in the past. But this was a 'golden quote'. You tend to get one or two in every interview. Someone says something and you just know 'that has to go in'. I knew it was gold when I scribbled it down.
So is it wrong to feel good about making someone else cry? It's cool to think I can spot a golden quote and write it up properly.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Marketing the King
Elvis is back in fashion and part-work maestros deAgostini are pushing a new series on the King, helped by ads in every break on Channel 4 and More4 last night in the two and a half hours of telly I watched. (Big Brother, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, My Name is Earl, for anyone who’s interested)
The ad for the magazine series makes me laugh because halfway through they explain how each issue comes with “authentic replica artifacts”. It’s the juxtaposition of ‘authentic’ and ‘replica’ which tickles me. What exactly is an ‘authentic replica’?
I think what they mean is the copy of Elvis’ school report they give you hasn’t just been made up out of thin air – it is a reproduction of Elvis’ actual report. But surely many of the people who will be buying this stuff – hardcore Elvis collectors – would know what was in his school report anyway. And if you don’t know already, they could print anything…
Home Economics
Elvis likes making burgers and is very proficient with using the deep fat fryer.
English
Despite using the wrong tenses, Elvis has made considerable progress. But he must learn that he is “all shaken up”, for example.
Social studies
Elvis’ concern for the inhabitants of our penal system is evident in his heart-warming essay on why every inmate in a cell block would benefit from listening to music.
RE
Elvis’ knowledge of gospel songs is very helpful, although he must stop trying to entertain the class.
Music
If Elvis could learn the bassoon, I’m sure he would be a valuable asset to our school orchestra. Unfortunately he insists on playing guitar in a highly excitable way. I’m afraid his musical future is limited if he refuses to play a proper instrument.
Attendance
On more than one occasion Elvis has refused to attend particular classes. Frankly, we are growing tired of hearing Elvis has left the building.
The ad for the magazine series makes me laugh because halfway through they explain how each issue comes with “authentic replica artifacts”. It’s the juxtaposition of ‘authentic’ and ‘replica’ which tickles me. What exactly is an ‘authentic replica’?
I think what they mean is the copy of Elvis’ school report they give you hasn’t just been made up out of thin air – it is a reproduction of Elvis’ actual report. But surely many of the people who will be buying this stuff – hardcore Elvis collectors – would know what was in his school report anyway. And if you don’t know already, they could print anything…
Home Economics
Elvis likes making burgers and is very proficient with using the deep fat fryer.
English
Despite using the wrong tenses, Elvis has made considerable progress. But he must learn that he is “all shaken up”, for example.
Social studies
Elvis’ concern for the inhabitants of our penal system is evident in his heart-warming essay on why every inmate in a cell block would benefit from listening to music.
RE
Elvis’ knowledge of gospel songs is very helpful, although he must stop trying to entertain the class.
Music
If Elvis could learn the bassoon, I’m sure he would be a valuable asset to our school orchestra. Unfortunately he insists on playing guitar in a highly excitable way. I’m afraid his musical future is limited if he refuses to play a proper instrument.
Attendance
On more than one occasion Elvis has refused to attend particular classes. Frankly, we are growing tired of hearing Elvis has left the building.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Forbidden sweets
Trying again to eat more healthily and what happens? Someone brings out a big tin of evil Nestle Quality Street with, mmmm, toffee pennies in, as a thank you for helping shift 400 boxes of envelopes from one store-room to another.
Now I have double-guilt, despite the envelope-moving exercise.
Now I have double-guilt, despite the envelope-moving exercise.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Virgin Media come good
Got home today to find a piece of junk mail from Virgin waiting for me, announcing that we now have Setanta Sports on Virgin cable for free. Wahey. But, even better, all premier and football league goals are now available for free on the Virgin Media website.
So, for example, if you wanted to see Shrewsbury stick four past Lincoln, all you'd have to do is visit the web-page.
I have to admit the spat with Sky which saw me lose Sky Sports News (the perfect breakfast accompaniment) annoyed me because it seemed more about the colossal egos of Branson and Murdoch than about consumer service. But with the website goals and the promised Setanta Sports News channel launches, Virgin may well have redeemed themselves.
So, for example, if you wanted to see Shrewsbury stick four past Lincoln, all you'd have to do is visit the web-page.
I have to admit the spat with Sky which saw me lose Sky Sports News (the perfect breakfast accompaniment) annoyed me because it seemed more about the colossal egos of Branson and Murdoch than about consumer service. But with the website goals and the promised Setanta Sports News channel launches, Virgin may well have redeemed themselves.
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