Thursday, May 15, 2008

It's gonna be a long one

Very little to talk about yesterday.  When I finally got home it was about 8:30pm (work then guitar lesson) and I was really tired.  I played a game of chess and was in bed around 10:30.  No wow!  It was just one of those days.  Unfortunately I had some trouble sleeping last night.  I was up at 3:30, 4:30...  at 4:30 I thought I heard someone scream.  I called my brother, but he didn't hear anything.  When I finally got out of bed at around 6:30 I still didn't feel like I had a good nights sleep.  

I guess it's going to be a rough day.

Here's hoping yours isn't!

Ed.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Same Old Story

The hives have returned... not that they ever really left, but after going off my medication and going back to Claritin for a while, I was hoping it would keep up. Sadly, I missed a day and the result was pretty disastrous. I'm going to give it another day or two to see if it gets more manageable. Otherwise it's back to the doctor.

Aside from that, much of the same. Bowling is done for the summer and I'm still playing little chess and lots of wow. But at least I'm playing some chess. Tonight I just played a few blitz games. Not much to talk about. Some decent, some terrible.

So it goes.

Enjoy, Ed.

Thursday, May 08, 2008

Through the joy and pain that living brings...

When I got home from work today I played WOW for a bit. I got my fishing skill on my priest to 375! If that doesn't sound exciting to you, I must admit, it's not. You sit at the computer and watch your fishing bobber... for up to 22 seconds per cast... and when it bobs, you right click on it. Rinse and repeat... a lot.

After that, I got bored pretty quick. I know - how come that wasn't boring? Anyhow, I decided to play a few games of chess. I saw an 1824 player looking for a game so I took up the match. Since my rating is only a little over 100 points higher, and as I keep saying, I'm rusty, I thought it would be a good match. Truth be told, I was a little nervous and excited about the game. I know, lame again. Anyway, here's the game in its entirety:

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.f3 O-O 8.Bc4 Qb6 9.Nd5 Nxd5 white resigns.

He must have been pretty upset at himself after that game, because I immediately got another match request from him. I took a chance and accepted. It took me a few seconds to convince myself, but if someone wants a rematch I usually try to give them one.

The 2nd game turned out to be a lot of fun. The first 12 moves I slowly built up a minor positional edge, then he blundered away a pawn by what was probably an oversight. I continued to build on the advantage and on move 29, being 2 pawns down and positionally busted, he resigned. I didn't get a rematch after that game.

Have a good one!

Ed.

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

Not even close

I haven't been playing as much WOW during the week lately. Usually, within about an hour, I'm done. Maybe it's a good thing. We'll see.

Tonight I did play 2 games of chess (G/15) against an opponent rated about 500 points lower than I. I had been playing against one of the computers on the ICC rated a little lower than me, so I thought it would be fun to play against another person. So I put the match command out there, and this is who I got. Anyway, the first game I won in 12 moves. Ouch. He matched me again right after so we played another game. 22 moves. I may be a bit rusty... but not 500 points rusty. Apparently not even close.

Then I played in a 5-game tournament G/1 (Yes, game in 1-minute). I was one of the lower bullet rated players in the tournament (I'm not very good at playing that fast). I finished 2/5, so it wasn't terrible considering.

My back is much better tonight as well. Thankfully it slowly got better as the day went on. I was really dreading having something like that last for days or longer while it slowly worked it's way out.

I hope you're having a great week!

Ed.

Tweaked

I yawned this morning.  Usually, that wouldn't seem like such a bad thing.  Fairly normal, one might say.  But on this very morning, with that very yawn, I tweaked something in my back.  Not in a good way.  

And so another day begins...

Ed.

Tuesday, May 06, 2008

As we know it

Weekends continue to be far too busy.  The weeks not much better.  Bowling is now done for the summer!  So that will free up a bit of time.  Last night was our last Monday night of bowling.  How did I do?

Game 1:  222
Game 2:  191
Game 3: 227

Or something very much like that.

Have a great week,

Ed.

Saturday, May 03, 2008

Things to come

Last night I went out to pick up some dinner.  I stopped at a bank machine in town... and tripped while getting back into my truck.  Not walking to or from my truck.  Getting back into my truck.  It was embarrassing.  Thankfully, I don't think anyone noticed.  I was only sore for a few minutes after.  

Aside from that, it was a really stressful night.  Hopefully it's not a sign of things to come.  Time to get a few more hours of sleep!

Enjoy the weekend!

Ed.

Thursday, May 01, 2008

Bowling night

Tonight was bowling night. It was also the last night for the league until the fall. How did I do?

Game 1: 247
Game 2: 170
Game 3: 233

And chess continues as well. Slowly getting it back. One more month before the club championship. I'll be ready!

Ed.