As we were getting the boys ready for bed, Calfgrit7 said he didn’t feel good. His stomach was upset. So, Cowgrit thought we should put him on our bed (shunting me to the sofa — not a problem). I said that was a wise idea, because we definitely don’t want him getting sick up in the top bunk bed. That would be a Bad Thing.

While Cowgrit got Calfgrit7 settled in our bed, I explained the situation to Calfgrit3, so he would understand why his brother was not going to bed with him.

But when Calfgrit3 heard this, he wanted to sleep in the big bed, too. “I’m sick,” he said.

“No,” I said, “you’re not.”

“I am,” he argued. “I am sick.”

So we had a difficult time putting Calfgrit3 to bed. I offered to lay down with him for a little while, but he wanted mommy. Cowgrit laid down with him in his bottom bunk bed for about 15 minutes.

We’re fearful the night will be a rough one.

* * *

The night went fine. No one was sick. And there was great rejoicing.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com

Calfgrit7 and I played a few games of chess, and this time I was a bit more aggressive. I wanted to see how he would take an aggressive game, and if loosing quickly would bother him. I remember a five-move-win strategy I was taught way back (I’m actually pretty surprised I remember it), and I tried it on him.

The five-move-win is easy to defeat if you know it or see it coming, but against novices or someone who doesn’t look more than one move ahead, it tends to work. And it worked this time, although it took me seven moves to pull it off because he unknowingly through a couple pawns in my way.

Calfgrit7 didn’t seem to notice or care about the quick loss, and we played a second game. I went for the quick win again, but this time he kept throwing blockers in my way, so I couldn’t get the super-quick win. The way he played and acted and talked, I don’t think he knew or intended to block my fast attack. He just seemed to accidentally move the “wrong” pieces (from my attacking perspective). He never stopped my strategy, he just delayed by one turn, two turns, three turns, four turns, a dozen turns. I eventually won, again, but it wasn’t really quick.

And all during these games and the next, Calfgrit7 was in constant motion. The chess board was on the floor, and I was laying on my side. He was sitting up, laying down, turning, shifting, rolling away, sliding aside, talking to his mother, his brother, me, and just generally a bundle of action. He was moving so much he had a hard time placing his chess pieces accurately on the board. Occasionally his foot or arm bumped the board or knocked over a piece. It really started to drive me crazy after so many minutes.

I decided to hold back in our third, and last, game. I figured I’d let him have a win to go to bed with. But he was so unaggressive. He never once went after my king, after so many turns, and so many minutes, it was past his bedtime, so I had to bring the game to an end. I turned aggressive and went after his king with everything I had. But he was slippery as a greased pig.

I think he’s learned some good basic strategy, but we don’t play often enough to really train him. I think most of his good moves are random, or are the result of my being distracted in most games. (Calfgrit3 wants to help me play.) I ended up winning the third game, too, but he made me work for it. And his constant movement almost brought me to screaming (but I never said anything to him about it except when he got distracted away from the game).

Even if he hasn’t turned into a chess champion, he has at least shown he’s a good sport, even when loosing. He offered to shake my hand after every game, and I accepted with pride.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com

It’s interesting to see how pirates have become thought of like cowboys and knights — “good guys.” There are lots of pirate toys nowadays for kids; there are books, cartoons, and kids’ TV shows showcasing pirates as happy, fun, and lovable characters. When, exactly, did pirates become this acceptable image and model for kids?

Although most modern toy and media images of pirates play on the 18th Century models, pirates still exist today. And they are today just like they were 300+ years ago: murderers and thieves. Pirates then and now, overtake ships on the ocean, steal everything of value, and often brutalize, enslave, or kill civilian crews and passengers. The name “pirate” has never meant anything but criminal, thief, and murderer on the sea.

Pirates are no different than hijackers of airplanes, carjackers of automobiles, lawless raiders, thieves, and killers. Yet, pirate images today are kid friendly? You don’t see drug dealer games, slaver dolls, and machete killer videos in children’s stores.

How and when did pirates loose their bad image? This truly amazes me. What PR firm is responsible for their image turn around?

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com

I’ve put together a lot of Lego toys over the past year or two, and I have to congratulate Lego for a really good job of ensuring each box has all the necessary parts. I’ve probably assembled two dozen toys, and there’s never been a missing piece. There are usually extra pieces, but never anything missing.

When you see how many pieces there are in even the most basic of Lego toys, it’s really amazing how they can get it right every time. And I’ve put together some larger toys, with lots and lots of pieces, and still all the pieces have been present. It’s an impressive feat.

I’ve gotten to where I actually enjoy putting together Lego toys. There are no words in the Lego instruction books, only images, and assembling is pretty easy. You must have all the pieces spread out where you can see everything without having to finger through a pile. I’ve many times looked through the pieces and started thinking that something was missing, and then found the piece in plain sight a moment later.

So, I’m sending a big salute to Lego for doing such a great job of packaging their toys. I’ll send them an email with my appreciation explained.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com