I left home in morning before 7:00, got home at almost 5:00, then immediately left again (for game night), not to return till midnight. We had great fun playing games, but I’m exhausted now.

We played two games of Settlers of Catan — I won the first game, one of the other guys won the second game. Then we sat around talking about old computers games — that was a fun conversation. But I’m too worn out right now to go into it.

So here’s a couple pictures from the end of our Settlers games (to make up for not having pics for the last time I posted about game night), I was playing blue:

We used a random arrangement of the terrain pieces and numbers for the first game, but we used the standard set up for the second game. I think the random arrangement makes for a more interesting game.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com

Calfgrit7 brought home a book titled, Spies. He had checked it out from his elementary school library (“media center” it’s called now). It’s a self reader — for kids who can read “more complex sentence structure.” He wanted me to read it to him and Calfgrit3 one night before bed, but when I saw it, I was hesitant. I told him I wanted to look through it first.

It’s definitely something beyond what Calfgrit3 should hear, and I think it’s a bit too much for a 1st-grader, too. It’s got some really interesting information in it, but it’s also got some stuff that’s just not appropriate for a young child — talk about stealing, killing, lying, and such. Reading it myself, I found the historical information fun and informative, but there’s one section that bugs me.

On pages 26 and 27 (of 48), there’s “The world’s most famous spy, 007, works for the British Secret Service.”

“He drives fast, stylish cars. He is licensed to kill. And when this spy kills his enemies, he does it with style.”

It’s not until the last paragraph of the second page that the book admits, “Although James Bond is not a real spy . . . .” I think it’s fine to mention fictional spies in a historical, non-fiction book on spying, but come on — state this spy is fictional at the beginning of the section. A kid, say 10 years old, reading this non-fiction book won’t immediately recognize 007 as a book and movie character. The author is misleading the young reader.

But even without that section, this book is just not appropriate for a 7 year old. I’m not going to read this to Calfgrit7 until he gets older (and then he can read it for himself). He and I have already talked some about what spies are in previous, unrelated conversations, so he knows the basic idea. But I don’t think he’s ready to comprehend the differences between “good” spies and “bad” spies, corporate spies and thieves, and such.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com

For my upcoming flight to Europe, I’m making an easy listening playlist of songs. I’ve got nine hours to sit in a seat and just lean back and chill. I’ve bought some books for the occasion, too, but I can read them during downtime in the week I’m at my destination. For the trip, I’m gonna listen to music.

I don’t often get to listen to music for extended periods of time. Driving to work in my car lets me hear maybe three or four songs. But then I’m having to keep my eyes open and pay attention enough to not ram the car ahead of me or drift across the yellow line into oncoming traffic. At night I’ve got stuff & junk to do — fun stuff and unfun junk. I can’t remember the last time I was able to listen to a full album at one time.

So I’m looking forward to this trip, not just for the destination and stay, but for the actual flight. I’m gonna put on my headset, close my eyes, and just fall into the nostalgic memories induced by 1970s soft rock.

Ain’t Even Done With the Night – John Cougar
Dance With Me – Orleans
Steal Away – Robbie Dupree
Just Remember I Love You – Firefall
Right Down the Line – Gerry Rafferty
What a Fool Believes – The Doobie Brothers
Etc., etc., etc.

Nobody’s gonna bug me, no one’s gonna need my attention, I ain’t gonna care about nothin’ in the world other than chillin’.

I figure I’ll start missing the family, and the hecticism that goes along with being a dad and all, within a few hours of arriving in Sweden. But for the first few hours, while on the plane, I’m gonna enjoy the peace and calm.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com

A 19″ monitor with a small spider sticker on the bottom left corner.

A cable modem, a wireless router, a receiver for my wireless mouse and keyboard, and a wireless mouse.

A cable for downloading pictures from our digital camera, and a cable for transferring files to and from my cell phone.

Speakers and two sets of headphones — one with a mic, one without.

Four medieval fantasy action figures.

A printer/copier/scanner, a thick package of printer paper, a thin package of photo-quality paper, and an extra print cartridge.

A tape dispenser, a stapler, an electric pencil sharpener, and an upright pen holder with about 15 pens and pencils and a pair of scissors.

A box of tissues — the flowery design on the box shows I didn’t pick it out..

A stack of writable CDs, a box of very old application and game CDs, and a loose CD from a PC Gamer magazine.

A couple notepads — one with writing on it, one blank.

What’s Under My Desk

A pull-out tray with my wireless keyboard.

A shelf of about 10 old (2+ years) computer games kept in their boxes.

A shelf of about 50 books.

My tower PC with an extra mouse and keyboard on top of it, and a couple manuals and a reference book beside it.

A box of mini figures for D&D gaming.

What’s Behind My Desk

A cardboard partition to hide the ridiculously tangled web of wires and cables and cords.

Probably enough dust to create a buffalo.

What’s In Front of My Desk

A hack leaning back in a comfortable desk chair trying to think of something worth writing about.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com