| |
COFFEETALK 2004 COFFEETALK 2003 COFFEETALK 2002 COFFEETALK 2001 |
|
Coffee TalkIntroduction
by J-J Vomact
Fictionary and Acro Notes by JimZ and Weez
Board Games by Argus
Miscellaneous Dice Games by Alduin
Sniglets by Linda
Other Word Games and Quizzes by J-J Vomact
The Football Pool by JimZ
My Year in Review by JimZ
INTRODUCTION
by J-J
Vomact
A couple of funny things
happened on the way to this month’s Coffee Talk. Not in the sense of rolling-on-the-floor-laughing-my-…
uh… you know… off. More in the sense of multiple-crises-all-hitting-at-the-same-time,
kinda thing. Such as JimZ having PC problems. And Mackey Mouse trying to move,
single-handed, in the middle of a blizzard.
In any case, we do
have a Coffee Talk to bring you this month. For the longest time, it was looking
as if it was going to be quite a bit thinner than usual, but JimZ came through
(don’t ask me how… in the email containing his sections, he also mentioned
that he wasn’t sure when he’d be able to boot up his PC again).
In any case, here’s
hoping Jim’s PC problems get fixed.
FICTIONARY
AND ACRO NOTES
by JimZ
and Weez
Before I explore the
scoring for the Fictionary
and the ACRO
games, I would just like to finish up the work I have been doing on the Fictionary
and the Acro Rules.
There was a little discussion late last year about some tactics in the Fictionary
and the Acro games, and it led me to take a look at the rules posted in DreamLyrics.
Once I looked at them, I knew that they had to be updated. Those rules were
written over five years ago, when some of us were logging into CompuServe, before
we were unceremoniously booted out. During the last few weeks, I have been working
on updating the rules, and I am proud to say that I have finished and that the
new rules will be posted in DreamLyrics very soon.
However, I would just like to have a few last words about the rules, if I could.
Since I am the Rules Dad, it seems that I can, and I will. <g>
First, I would like to extend some special recognition to Gypsy, to Weez, and
to Mackey Mouse for the help that they have extended to me as I worked on the
rules. All of them had some helpful suggestions that eased the way for me, and
I appreciate their help immensely. Thanks a lot, guys.
Finally, I know that the games and the rules will continue to evolve, and my
readers can assist that process. Please try playing Fictionary and Acro, and
let me, or any of the veterans know if there is some way we could make it easier...
or more fun... for you to play. We'd love to have you!
Having said all that, let's take a look at where the players are in the two
games whose rules we have just refreshed.
Fictionary is just ten rounds into the twenty-five round game. I had the honor
to deal round 8 (in which I got no points). Anyone looking at the scoresheets
would think that I enjoyed that honor, since I have bombed out in rounds nine
and ten also. Of the four players who have played all ten rounds so far, I have
the lowest score. But... it's not all about me... other people play as well.
<g>
Dave Konkel, who eviscerates my monthly FabQuiz with disconcerting ease, is
presently enjoying a huge (for Fictionary) lead of seven points over our ScoresMom,
Weez. Gypsy is only one point behind Weez, and Mackey is only one point behind
Gypsy. Slufoot is running next to Gypsy and I am tied with AquaDyne. Shamrock
and Shamoli round out the field.
Mackey Mouse recently made a suggestion, which I think I will adopt when the
next game starts. It's really very simple, to allow two votes when there are
at least ten defs (including the real one). Currently the rules allow two votes
for fifteen defs, and I cannot remember a deal when we had that privilege. Looking
at the scoresheet, I see we have nine players listed. If everyone player submitted
a def in a round... we could have the two votes... and I might just get some
more points, too! I guess Mackey Mouse is right... it's all about me! <g>
In Acro, it might be all about me… perhaps! I am making a rather strong
showing, as the present game reaches the halfway point. I am actually one point
higher than Dave Konkel, surprising in itself. Mackey's lead over me is only
in the single digits. Could this game be the time I imitate by beloved Patriots
(and Red Sox) and shoot to the top of the list? Actually, I would be more than
content with passing the MouseDood. You would think with the sacrifice I have
made… TWICE… to end up tied with Mackey in the Football Pool, that
he would return the favor in Acro and Fictionary.
Our ScoresMom, Weez, leads Acro at the halfway point. Gypsy is showing up in
Weez's rear view mirror, and Mackey Mouse is close behind. Twilyte is just one
point ahead of your most humble and obedient Patriots/Red Sox fan. Dave Konkel
is in my rear view mirror, just ahead of Shamrock and our Guest MCG, AquaDyne.
Shamoli, Zebekia, Slufoot, and Hart round out the players as we swing into the
second half.
Finally, I could not close this column without a nod to our ScoresMom, Weez.
The more I drive myself batty scoring each round of the FabQuiz, the more I
appreciate Weez. She flawlessly scores BOTH games, keeps the scoresheets current
for BOTH games, and makes a darn good player in BOTH games. The only reason
I don't nominate her to replace Charlie Weis, the New England Patriots Offensive
Coordinator, is that she would most certainly get the job, and I would be faced
with the possibility of taking over her slot by myself.
BOARD
GAMES
by Argus
One board game is now
being played: a Civilization game. The two resuming Deadwood games have gone
back on hiatus.
The Civilization
game is late in turn 11. First place is now a two-way tie between Iberia (Drew
replacing AJ) and Crete (Janet), while Babylon (Hurricane) is bringing up the
rear. All six players are currently in the Late Bronze Age. Babylon is the only
one currently meeting the requirements to advance into the Early Iron Age, but
Africa (Harald) can still advance within the current age to tie with the leaders.
MISCELLANEOUS
DICE GAMES
by Alduin
Hello again everyone,
and here is to hoping that everyone had a wonderful winter holiday and a happy
new year. It's been two months now, and needless to say there has been a lot
of activity in the games since that time - but there is still plenty of time
to join in the fun!
YAHTZEE!!
Ladder VII is off and
running, with 2 more games having completed since our last visit. Thanks to
a pair of victories in games 127 and 128, Weez has taken over the lead, while
Gypsy has dropped back to fourth. A lot of movement - and still plenty of opportunity
for more.
Current Standard
Yahtzee! Ladder VII Standings
Ladder
Currently Games
Player Points Playing Completed
Weez 1304
Game 130 3
Argus 1114
Game 130 3
Blaze 1088
Game 130 4
Gypsy 992
Game 130 4
Twilyte 977 --
2
Varnavas 971 --
1
Curahn 900 --
1
Kit 846 Game
130 2
Alduin 808 Game
130 4
In Triple Yahtzee,
Ladder IV has finished - and we have a new champion. Congratulations to Don,
who managed to take the lead thanks to a 2nd and a 3rd place finish in the last
two games. Two more triple games have started for ladder V, but neither has
finished yet.
Final Triple Yahtzee!
Ladder IV Standings
Ladder
Currently Games
Player Points Playing Completed
Don 1260
-- 3
Alduin 1054 --
3
Weez 1211 --
3
Gypsy 1193 --
4
Pete Hat 1041 --
1
Lisa 971 --
1
Mackey Mouse 900 -- 1
Ilyanna 888 --
2
Kit 742
-- 3
Blaze 740 --
3
In Painted Yahtzee,
the latest game is still in progress, so there are no results to post on that
yet either, although the game is definitely in its final turns and we should
have an update for you in next months column.
If you are interested
in variant games like this though, stop by the Yahtzee forum and speak up! Maybe
another game can start soon!
SHICARGO!
Game E has finished,
thanks to Gypsy taking over for Twilyte. Does it seem fishy to anyone else that
Gypsy also happened to win the game?? Hmmmm.
Just kidding Gypsy!
The ladder will be
updated when Twilyte returns so there will be another update in the future,
but for now it seems that Shicargo is going to go on hiatus again. Thanks to
everyone who has participated.
Until next month, fare
thee well, my friends.
SNIGLETS
by Linda
(Click here to check out
Sniglets).
Game J is at the half-way
point of this writing and is shaping up to be one of the most entertaining rounds
ever. Since there was no January issue, if you're interested in learning who
won Game I, please check the section.
Standings for Game
J through Round 4:
Rounds
Rounds
Wordcrafters Score Played Won
AquaDyne
31 4
3 (1 tie)
Argus 26 4
1 (tie)
JimZ 24 4*
1 (tie)
Mackey Mouse 23 4
1 (tie)
DaveK 21
4
Hurricane 8
4
* Denotes round(s) played just as a guesser.
Each round lasts a week, Sunday to Sunday, giving everyone more time to make
up words and to guess at the words that have been created.
At the time of this
writing, folks are voting on words created for "Gratuitous ovation awarded
a pilot on completion of a safe landing."
Choices are:
AEROPPLAUSE
AIRPLAUSE
COCKPIT CONGRATS
GROUNDOVATE
LAND HAND
PILOTPLAUSE
SKYCLAP
Why not make your own
guesses as to which word is the official one and which one I made up, then drop
by the section to see if you were right? The answers will be found in the SNG
J Round 5 Scores message.
OTHER
WORD GAMES AND QUIZZES
by J-J
Vomact
Once again, there’s
very little to report on this month. Silkenray’s FWO: Five Words Only seems
to have petered out in early December, with no posts after the end of that month.
AquaDyne did suggest posts in haiku in response to Silkenray’s question
regarding a fresh start, so either we think alike or AquaDyne reads this column.
Mackey Mouse tried
starting a new game (in a thread titled “New Game”), which I would
describe as Sniglets with numbers. On the basis of the single vote received,
Mackey declared AquaDyne the winner of the first round at the end of December.
AquaDyne then dealt the second round (“The Numbers Game”), but there
didn’t seem to be much interest. THE
FOOTBALL POOL
by JimZ
WEEK 13
Early this football pool, Week 3 as I believe, I was inspired to share my shaky
ways of picking games for Mackey's Football Pool. At that time I was but ONE
game ahead of our lovable ScoresMousie. I went 10-4 in that week, but Mackey
did the same, and I remained but one game ahead of him.
It's Week 13 now and I am SUBSTANTIALLY ahead of the Mousey One... six
games, as I believe. I think it's time for another excursion into the way I
pick my teams. Of course, my logic might be faulty, my leaps of faith clumsy
and ill-timed, and my thinking disordered and febrile. Mackey Mouse would, no
doubt, agree with every facet of the above. But... I am still SIX games ahead
of him as this week begins! Behold my picks for Week 13.
As further evidence that "Great Minds Think Alike", Mackey
and I differ on only four games this week. Even if he takes EVERY ONE of those
games, he will still be behind me.
Well, Week 13 is over. Of the four games in which Mackey and I differed, I have
taken three of them, which is a net gain of two games. YES!
DETROIT
The first thing I noticed this week was an alarming glut of 4-7 teams. I also
noticed several instances where two 4-7 teams are playing each other. How am
I supposed to pick from among such turkeys? Still, Detroit is at home, and they
have had since Thanksgiving to rest up. Let's hope it helps.
Well, Detroit is a doorman, but Arizona is, it seems, much worse. Detroit did
me a favor and won 26-12 and I start out on the plus side... as does Mackey.
ATLANTA
OK, this one was easy. Atlanta, with Michael Vick, should roll over Tampa Bay,
another 4-7 team. At least, that's what I think will happen.
Boy does this hurt! Not only did Atlanta lose, they were shut out, for gosh
sakes. This just isn't supposed to happen, but it did, to Mackey and to me.
We are both 1-1.
BUFFALO
Ordinarily, I hesitate to pick Buffalo... Drew Bledsoe is turning into mush
before my very eyes. However, when you mention mush, the Miami Dolphins come
to mind. Buffalo can win just by showing up for the coin toss. Miami is too
sad this year.
Again, I have divined the future. It wasn't that hard considering that Miami
is a pushover this year. Still, Buffalo had to go some to beat them, 42-32.
Mackey and yours truly go 2-1.
CAROLINA
Ugh... two more 4-7 teams. I'll go with Carolina this week, only because there
is a question about the Carolina football team in the new FabQuiz. What... you
expected some football reason? Mackey has seen fit to take New Orleans. I think
I will surge ahead with this game.
It seems to have all worked out in this game. Carolina came through against
the Saints, and propelled me ahead of the Mouse, who took New Orleans. I am
3-1 and Mackey is 2-2.
BALTIMORE
I haven't done the figures, but I imagine that every team that the Patriots
have flummoxed this year has gone out to win the next game afterwards. Anyway,
Baltimore is good enough to beat the Bungles, without the extra motivation.
Alas, Mackey and I both go down to defeat in this one, by one blessed point.
Let's hope the Bungles aren't that tough next week, against the Pats. I go to
3-2 and Mackey is 2-3.
NY JETS
I indulged myself in picking Arizona over the Jets last week... when everyone
else had the Jets. Had I picked the Jets, I would have gone one more game up
on Mackey. This week, I am holding my nose, and picking them... but I won't
cry if they lose.
The Jets won, and I am not crying, not if the Jets can go on and beat Pittsburgh...
wonder if I should pick them that week. I am 4-2 and Mackey is 3-3
CHICAGO
Aha, a 7-4 team against another 4-7 team. That I can work with. "Monsters
of The Midway" sounds good right now. My favorite Mousey One likes
Minnesota, for no good reason. We'll see what happens.
The "Monsters of the Midway" came through for me 24-14 over
the Purple Gang. I am now 5-2 and my favorite Mousey One is 3-4
NEW
ENGLAND
As if there was any doubt. I have picked the Patriots eleven times this season,
and I have lost only once. How can you beat those odds?
My Patriots simply vaporized the Browns and Mackey evidently saw the light as
well. At the halfway point this week, I am 6-2 and Mackey is 4-4.
ST
LOUIS
This one is too easy. Those wimps from San Francisco even lost to the Dolphins.
No way they beat St. Louis!
You would think that Mackey could go ahead and back his favorite team once in
a while. Still, we both win with St. Louis, and the records shows me at 7-2
and Mackey at 5-4.
INDIANAPOLIS
OK, the Colts are at home, Manning is as hot as a two-dollar pistol, and the
Titans are a shadow of their former selves. I can't lose when I start throwing
around such clichés. It worked for the Red Sox.
New England is not the only vaporizer in the NFL. Indy destroyed Tennessee and
Mackey and I both benefited. I am now 8-2 and Mackey is now 6-4
DENVER
OK... I am depending on AquaDyne for this pick. If this one loses, I am never
going to listen to him again... maybe!
AquaDyne owes me after this game. I followed his Broncos and I suffered for
it, as did Mackey. I now stand 8-3 and Mackey is 6-5
KANSAS CITY
They can score on anyone, and they can't stop anyone from scoring on them. That's
probably not such a valid reason for picking them, but then Oakland is not a
valid football team this year. Our official ScribesMousie obviously feels the
other way... he has gone with the Silver and Black... and he will be feeling
blue when they lose.
For once, Kansas City scored more points than they gave up, and my faith was
rewarded this week. I am sure that Mackey feels as blue as I predicted when
I post my record as 9-3 and Mackey evens his at 6-6
PHILADELPHIA
OK... no one is going to beat Philadelphia the rest of the regular season, and
into the playoffs. When they finally face the Patriots in the Super Bowl, the
Patriots will thrash them. You heard it here first!
Philadelphia beat up on the Green Bay Packers, which Mackey obviously also picked,
not that it was that hare. I stand at 10-3 and Mackey is 7-6
NEW YORK GIANTS
Since I am betting on the Jets this week, I might as well bet on the younger
Manning in the league. Besides, the Redskins are just sucky this year. For some
reason, Mackey Mouse feels the Redskins are up for this. They are not!
Bah... I guess the Redskins were up for this. My Giants scored only seven points
as Mackey cheered them on. I fall to 10-4 and Mackey is now 8-6.
PITTSBURGH
I guess I don't see the Steelers losing until the playoffs... I just hope the
playoff game is at Razor Blade Field.
Even though I picked Pittsburgh, I found myself cheering for Jacksonville to
give the Steelers a loss that would elevate New England to the best record in
the AFC. Not this week. I am looking at 11-4 and Mackey is 9-6.
SEATTLE
I was winning with Seattle earlier this year, but then they started to lose.
Still, they are playing another 4-7 team... and you know what that means.
Bill Parcells surprised me... and I felt real good about this pick too. Still,
I finish the week at 11-5 while Mackey totals 9-7. MY
YEAR IN REVIEW
by JimZ
For a long time, I
looked forward to 2004 as the year when we would be sending the Bush back to
Texas. I guess we all know how that worked out!
However, this year had a few high spots, in spite of the obvious political downer.
These high spots were welcome news, since I spent the vast majority of the year
hunting for a job.
I remember the New Year beginning with a Patriot Playoff run... which just might
happen this year, too. Of course we all know how the New England Patriots fared...
winning their second Super Bowl in three years as February dawned. As February
dawned, I also investigated a program by the DET… the Massachusetts Department
of Employment and Training. These are those same nice people who sent me unemployment
checks every two weeks. They were advertising a program for older (sigh)
people, who might want to retrain in new careers.
I had a meeting with one of the program people in early February. I especially
remember when he glanced at my resume and said I really didn't need that program,
that I would be working within weeks! I even believed him! We all know how that
worked out!
April rolled around and my Red Sox started their season, just as my initial
unemployment checks were ending. I was able to get an extension, but I could
only collect about $600.00 per month. The old saying "It's better than
a poke in the eye with a sharp stick!" would seem to fit here, I suppose.
May brought a first for me. I applied online for a spot as a contestant on the
TV show JEOPARDY. To my surprise, I was picked for a tryout. My brother
took charge of outfitting and training me for the tryout, but I have to say
that Dave Konkel, who has already been through the system, was an even better
resource to me. Although I never got past the first phase of the tryout, I am
happy to say that the new suit my brother got for me did double duty as my "interview
suit", not that it helped that much.
The Red Sox and I moved into Summer mode. The Red Sox and I seemed to have the
same idea. The Red Sox basically marked time for most of the early summer, and
I did the same. I looked at the want ads, I went on interviews, I wrote gushy
thank you letters, and I couldn't get anyone to say "Yes".
Meanwhile, my Red Sox vacillated for several weeks, winning two, losing three,
winning one, losing two... and so on. As I suffered along with my beloved team,
I began to wonder whether I would ever get another job. However, I kept looking.
August brought a change to my Red Sox, but that month did nothing for me. Regardless
of my poor prospects, I still managed to revel in the feats of 25 athletes who
were making much more than I was. Still, with every triumph I witnessed on the
tube, I still felt a little guilty that I wasn't employed.
In late August, it could have changed. I was offered a job and, sad to say,
I turned it down. It's a long story better told on another day. The upshot was
that, as the Red Sox charged down the stretch in September, I cheered them on
as my prospects grew somewhat dimmer. I had been collecting unemployment for
almost a year now, and I was lucky, since my state usually only lets one collect
for six months. I was coming to the end, with nothing to show for it.
When the Sox began the playoffs, I came to a crossroads of my own. I had passed
over several jobs paying below what I thought I was worth, reasoning that I
wanted to get the "right" job. With my collecting coming to
an end, I applied for a job that paid much less than what I had been making.
When the call came for the interview, I almost blew them off. However, I decided
to swallow a bit of my pride and go to the interview. Long story short... as
the Red Sox emerged victorious against the Evil Empire, I began training for
my new job. When my beloved Red Sox finally went all the way, I was able to
celebrate two triumphs... with only one having to do with baseball.
As my Patriots continue a sterling season, I have completed training and am
now doing a regular shift on the phones at the new place. It seems that, contrary
to last year, I will be gainfully employed for the holiday season. Sometime
early in the New Year, I should emerge from my 90 day probation and become a
full-fledged employee. While the pay is still low, and it is a constant bitter
pill to swallow, the people are nice, I can do the work, and I have stopped
feeling as guilty.
As the Mousey One constantly reminds me in our conversations, I am ten years
older than him. It is perhaps possible that this is the last job I will have
before I stop working. I would like to think that I could move on to a better
job, but I will put that on the back burner for now, and concentrate on doing
the job I have now. Of course, I plan on continuing the activities I enjoy in
DreamLyrics. I am referring to COFFEE TALK, the FabQuiz, Fictionary, Acro, and
the Football Pool. Weez has even challenged me to play Yahtzee. It seems that
I will go into the New Year with a full plate. Oops, almost forgot! There's
something called JimZBASHING on the horizon for 2005, if I am not mistaken.
I can even look forward to that, since my real life BASHING has ended! Back |
|
