I was recently introduced to the Munchkin card game, by Steve Jackson Games — specifically, the Cthulhu edition. I love it.I played with one player whom I think is very familiar with the Cthulhu mythos, and one whom I think knows little about it. I’m familiar with it from geek-culture osmosis, (starting with the original Advanced D&D Deities and Demigods book), but I don’t think I’ve ever read an Lovecraft story all the way through.The mechanics of the game are easy: just compared numbers — no random rolling of dice. The cards themselves (text and illustrations) are clear, concise, and damn hilarious.The early game (start at level 1) is pretty fast and straight-forward, but as a/any player nears the end game (level 10), back-stabbing and paranoia become strong.If the other versions of Munchkin are as funny and easy — and from what I’ve read up on them, they are — I think I’ll seek out and buy the main/original edition to play with my family at home.Bullgrit

I was talking to a friend about cell phones, and he was telling me about how he was getting a new phone, and was now going to get Internet access with his wireless service. He was totally sold on how useful it would be to have Internet access on his phone, and he was trying to convince me of the wisdom. I had Internet access on my cell phone for several months a couple of years ago, and after the initial novelty wore off, (within a month), I had no use for it.

The things I want and need the Web for are things I don’t want to have to look at on a small cell phone screen. Besides, 90% of my work day is spent in front of a computer, where I have Internet access, and I can check something any moment I want. The only times I don’t have relatively immediate access are times when I shouldn’t be surfing the Web anyway, like while driving, playing with my boys, and sleeping.

But this friend was convinced and excited about getting ‘Net access on his new phone:

“For instance,” he said, “I was in the library yesterday, and I couldn’t think of the author of a book series. It would have been great to have Internet on my phone, then. I could just flip open my phone, surf the Web, and . . .”

He stopped talking when I started laughing. I said, “You need Internet access on your phone so you can look up an author of a book, while at the library?”

He looked at me, annoyed. “That’s. . .”

“At the library?” I held in the guffaw.

Bullgrit

Last night at midnight, Calfgrit5 woke up and hurried to the bathroom. Unfortunately, he lost his stomach contents before reaching the toilet bowl, or even the tiled bathroom floor. The hallway carpet caught most of it, with only a trail leading into the bathroom. We joined him in the bathroom to help him. We traded off soothing him and cleaning up the mess.

We were up with the little guy for over an hour, but eventually we got him back in his bed, with a towel under him and a wastebasket beside him. He got up another couple of times before finally falling to sleep around 2:00 a.m. The poor little guy was pathetic.

We eventually fell back to sleep ourselves. But then at 4:00 a.m., Calfgrit9 came into our room saying he felt sick. He then ran to our bathroom and asploded! We jumped up and ran to him.

We both pulled up short, shocked by the mess. Oh. My. God. I could only see his back as he stood leaning over the toilet. Judging from the mess on the floor, on the toilet, and on the walls around, I expected the front of his body to be opened like some slimy alien had burst from his chest. (I actually had the thought cross my mind: take a picture, ’cause no one will believe this story.)

Once finished vomiting, we got him to step into the shower. While he got washed down, and his clothes taken to the washer, I commenced cleaning the room.

I had to turn on the overhead fan to pull the stench out. I almost threw up from the sight and smell. After thoroughly cleaning the room, I had to get in the shower, myself. My pajamas and t-shirt were taken to the washer, too, but they could be burned for all I care to have them back.

CG9 went to bed easier than his little brother did after his episode. I really hope they both sleep plenty long this morning. I won’t be going to work tomorrow today. If we’re lucky, we’ll be sleeping late. That’s all I’m hoping for right now, as I expect the day to be horrible and disgusting.

I’m pretty much wide awake, now, at 5:00 a.m. Dammit.

Bullgrit