Wōden's Wisdom Wednesday

"Not that I condone fascism, or any -ism for that matter. -Ism's in my opinion are not good. A person should not believe in an -ism, he should believe in himself. I quote John Lennon, 'I don't believe in The Beatles, I just believe in me.' Good point there. After all, he was the walrus. I could be the walrus. I'd still have to bum rides off people."

~ Ferris Bueller,
played by Matthew Broderick
"Ferris Bueller's Day Off"

Apples to Apples, The Drinking Game

Apples to Apples (Traditional version)
In the game Apples to Apples, everyone draws 7 Noun cards. They are red cards. Then one person acts as the Judge and lays down a green card. The green card has an adjective on it. Then everyone lays face down one of their red cards. The Judge then reads all the cards and picks the one that bests describes the green card. Or the Judge can pick the worst one, funniest one, stupidest one, etc. Either way a good time is had by all. The new round starts with a new judge. Usually you go around the table clock-wise. Play until some collects 7 cards (I think, when we play it we go around the table until we are tired and whoever has the most cards win).

A couple of weeks ago I was down in Tucson for my Cousin’s graduation party from U of A. We turns this fun party game into a drinking game.

Apples to Apples (The Drinking Game)
The game is played as described above. Except the Judge picks a drink before laying down the adjective card (Green). Maybe it's a shot, or a drink from whatever your drinking, or chugs a beer for X amount of seconds, etc. What ever the judge wants. After the Judge lays down the green card, players lay down a noun card (Red) and if the Judge picks your card, then you have to drink whatever drink the judge announced a the start of the round.

This adds a new element of the game, mostly you want your card to get picked, but if it means have to take a shot of something you don't like, maybe you'll want to throw away a card you don't think will get picked and hope that the next round has more favorable drink.

Also, always remember to drink responsibly.

Wōden's Wisdom Wednesday

Odin, Norse god of wisdom, war, battle, and death. Also magic, poetry, prophecy, victory, and the hunt. Also know as Wōden and Wodan. It is also were we get the word Wednesday. From the old Norse Oðinsdagr or "Odin's day".

Since Odin or Wōden is associated with wisdom, and because I like alliteration, I've come up Wōden's Wisdom Wednesdays. Basically a quote I really like that imparts a bit of wisdom.

Today's quote will be a repeat of yesterdays quote. Because I think it bears repeating.

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

~ C. S. Lewis

Feeling very cynical right now...

but here's a quote I found and I really like it.

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience."

~ C. S. Lewis

Pissed Off Right Now

Watch this video and try to tell me there are no innocent victims in the war on drugs and that the system works.



Aren't the police to protect and serve?
Who are they trying to protect and serve, not you or me.
Oh, but this can't happen to you or me, right?
I'm sure Yolanda thought that too.

Political Corruption, the Game

It seemed like this year there was more political corruption stories then normal. Maybe it's because it was an election year, or politicians think they can get away with anything and are doing more and more corrupt things. Either way, I will be following the political corruption stories a little more closely in the up coming new year. Here's how...

(Announcer voice)
Are you ready for America's favorite pastime next to baseball? That's right kiddies, it's time for the...

The Political Corruption Game (Working Title)

(Applause and cue game show music)

Here's how it works. When a politician gets caught with his or her pants down, that politician's party gets points. The number of points depend on how high of a position that person holds.

If it's just an accusation it's worth 5 points. Like Sarah Palin's Troopergate. There was an accusation and an investigation, but that was all. No charges brought against her. The Republicans would have gotten 5 points.

If the person resigns, is charged, impeached or otherwise removed from office, it's worth more points.

50 points if it's the President.
40 points if it's a member of Congress, both House and Senate.
30 points if it's a presidential cabinet member, executive departments, or federal agencies.
20 points for State officials.
10 points for Local officials.

The Eliot Spizter prostitution scandal would have been worth 20 points because he resigned, he was the Governor of New York. So the Democrats would have gotten 20 points.

Bonus points may be awarded if the politician is particularly annoying, arrogant or says stupid stuff. 1-5 points can be earned in this way depending on how arrogant, stupid or annoy they are.

Let's meet the teams. First we have the,

Democratic Blue Donkeys
The Democrats are no stranger to corruption. Dating back to when the Democrats were the Democratic-Republician party with Thomas Jefferson and the Sally Hemings controversy. To present day heavy hitter Bill Clinton. Who racked up an impressive 125 points during his 8 years in the White house.

Republican Red Elephants
The Republicans are also no strangers to corruption. But they don't have as impressive of a history. But that's because there party didn't get it's official start until 1853, but quickly rose in the ranks. No doubt with the help of unethical conduct. The Republicans too have their stars. Most notably Richard Nixon with the Watergate scandal followed by his resignation. But a new breed of Republicans like Senator Larry Craig from Idaho and Senator Ted Steven from Alaska are making them a team not to be taken lightly.

So without further ado...
Let the games begin, and may the best... errr, worst party win.

Game will officially start on January 20 2009.

Games I'm currently playing

I was thinking about it last night, I go through these hills and valleys of games. Lates of games, then one or two. Back to lots, then back a couple. So where do I stand right now?

• 7th Sea - Game Master (Wednesdays, semimonthly or so)
• Houses of the Blooded - Narrator (whenever we can)
• Legend of the Five Rings (or L5R) - Player, Kitsuki Norio (Wednesdays semimonthly or so)
• D&D 4th Ed. - Player, TBD (Sundays, whenever we can) note: it looks like this one maybe dead. Not ready to call it.
• Houses of the Blooded - Player, Vadim Mwrr (Fridays, Cabal game for Living Shanri) Note: Have not officially started, but really excited about it.
• Hunter: The Vigil - Player, Comic book Horror writer & Folklore, early Lit teacher. Note: game has not started yet. It may only be a one shot too.
  

So it looks like I'm on a hill. Loving life. Game on.

Rainbows

Last Wednesday it rained and when it rains sometimes you get rainbows.
Here are some pictures I snagged while driving to meet a friend.

Don't try this at home. Professional driver on a closed course.
(ok, maybe not, but still don't try this.)