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| norton anti-virus |
| 04.28.04 (7:40 am) [edit] |
I -REALLY- hate it when an anti-virus program misses something. Especially when I can't fix it because it does bad things to the computer registry.
Everything works on it in "safe mode" but not in regular mode. Very frustrating.
Also frustrating, but understandable--the games in Germany are a bit delayed as they are making a few extra copies. I guess that is good, but I am very anxious to have them!
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| lies |
| 04.26.04 (7:35 am) [edit] |
I hate lies.
I didn't get the coaching job I applied for. Actually, they got back to me in a very quick and professional manner--I respect that.
The catch is that as a public school, they need to hire someone on staff within the district if they meet the job qualifications, regardless of anything else. It means their hands were tied. Again, no problem, that is clear and is how the system works.
But--the main justification the head priest gave (beyond commitment) for my dismissal was that another faculty person here was going to get that job and leave here. Given the rule regarding staff within district--that's impossible. A lie.
A large part of the problem with organized religion is when the people in control lie and there is no accountability for that. How can you stop the person in charge in such a situation?
In business, that's easy to stop--you don't buy the products and eventually the problem goes out of business.
In government, the US has the three branches and a system of checks and balances to prevent wholesale abuse of the system--yes, abuse occurs, but there is accountability (ask guys like Nixon...actually, you can't...he's dead.)
Three weeks until the big decision whether to take JRG full-time or not. Right now I am leaning in favor of it--it can actually be put off until the end of summer if need be I guess...but not sure why I would put it off.
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| there has to be a reason |
| 04.23.04 (10:08 pm) [edit] |
It is good to be a Cub fan sometimes. It teaches you how to survive frustration, pain, and extended suffering. Got that in spades right now.
I still want to coach, but got a couple rejections--and for candidates not as well qualified (no ego meant there), but of a different gender. Why is it that you "should" be the same gender as the people you coach? I guess I was brought up wrong--that the most qualified person gets the job regardless of race, religion, or gender.
But things happen for a reason--there must be an explanation; either it is an issue of Faith or part of a chain of logical occurrences that culminate in a certain event (causality...eek.) Does this mean it is time to drastically expand game production? Or is this a sign to leae behind education and working with teenagers? Or--am I just supposed to keep slogging away because of the gift of free will and that I can batter my head against a wall because I am human?
Guess though I can't really complain about the Cubs right now. Or the looks of the upcoming games. Or the health of my family. I have to focus on those things rather than the bad stuff that is beyond my control.
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| home, home! |
| 04.17.04 (7:13 pm) [edit] |
Well, I had to cut out from the Gathering early. That was disappointing, but on the other hand, I am at home with the family again--and THAT is great.
I think the game I liked the most was St. Petersburg--even though the end was "broken" --the solution being suggested of halving the bonus points for orange people would solve that.
Saw a gruesome accident on I-70. Apparently they had been cleaning it up for about 6 hours--two semi trucks hit one another and it ignited a cargo of paint thinner. The grass and road were burnt and the trailer of the one was melted quite a bit. I have no idea about the occupants, but I sure pray they are ok.
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| Gathering of Friends |
| 04.14.04 (9:02 pm) [edit] |
It is so cool to meet people you know only by email. I can number among those met Ty Douds and Alan Newman--two great people (who happen to design spiffy games as well).
I met a guy who has played on several National Men's "B" team USAV championshpi teams-next year maybe we can arrange for some pickup volleyball (of high quality). Met the Yu brothers (one of Mattel, the other a doctor in Cincy)--I think I have gamed with people from three continents now. This is so much fun.
What have I played? THe best have probably been Goa and Sankt Petersburg (not a typo). BOth are pretty good but could use better English rules translations. I have also played Newman's Dynasties a lot with people--and everyone has liked it (which is good since it should be published (hopefully) before the end of 2004!
Hopefully, I can get some computer time--but man at the end of the day, I'm tired with this. About the only thing missing that would make this paradise is Julie and the kids being here!
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| Gathering Day One |
| 04.10.04 (9:30 pm) [edit] |
Ahhh, other than being w/family or much of coaching, today was as close to paradise on earth as you can get.
I got to play several games that deserve to see print by some good people and I got to talk and play games with several that I met last year in my short stay then.
I got to also play some games already in print. I'm not sure I liked "Spy"--a card game from Ueberplay. It was all right, but not sure that in the long term there was enough strategy to justify buying it. I think the family would grow tired of it.
I played Cronkinole and found that I suck at that. Pretty profusely, although it was fun to whack little checkers around.
I played Memoir '44 and got the win there on the last turn. It was there earlier but some luck cropped up and I had to wait to get a non-left flank card. It was fun.
I played Ticket to Ride--hype has this as Spiel des Jahres contender. I know little of that, butit was enjoyable even as I finished in last. There is a clear, distinct learning curve between the first game and later games of it you play. it also appears to go VERY differently with 4 or 5 players.
Dinner was at Damon's. Funny conversations--but I was a bit disappointed because they stuck us in a side room so I could not watch the Cubs--probably good given that shortly after we left there they spit up 4 runs and lost.
Tomorrow---ahhh, coming close now that it's actually after midnight.
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| The Gathering of Friends |
| 04.08.04 (10:18 pm) [edit] |
Ahhhh, off to ten days of gaming nirvana. I get to stay with Pat and Anje and their children and be social with them and the Ohio State VB staff.
ANd I get to play games pretty much non-stop for 9 days. Games I've never heard of with people I don't know that are all incredibly friendly. The organizer is also great--Alan Moon. A righteous dude.
I have also come to appreciate the maturity some teenagers can show. Many of my students respect the fact I am going to this--especially since it helps the ol' JRG corporation--but have said it will make for a crappy week because they look forward to class with me so they can stay awake.
These are obviously not the ones sleeping in the back or snoring or talking to each other rather than pay attention during class :shock: But to have them openly say such things is pretty cool.
I'll miss them when everything is said and done. In many ways, what I need to do is make sure that such things as the official Gathering of Friends and the attitudes there carry over in other ways in life.
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| all sorts of stuff |
| 04.05.04 (8:51 pm) [edit] |
Ahhh, time flying fast.
Games will make it out before the end of April. My sister gave birth to a healthy baby girl named Zayn (8lbs even) last Monday and took Gxxxx to go see her. Missed a day of school for it--and would never have done that even 5 months ago.
Of course, that whole being fired thing is there. I realize it is part of the separation process, but it doesn't bother me to miss school/teaching now. They keep people around who hand out worksheets and xerox standardized tests--why should I bust butt with custom assignments, etc, given that I am the teacher who needs to be replaced to find someone who'll make a serious commitment.
At a certain point, I would hope that someone looks at the red flag the turnover sends. Six principals in eight years--next year it will be seven in nine (really, no pun intended), massive teacher turnover. Hmmmm...do I really need an admin class to put 2+2 together?
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