March Blues and My love of VHS.

In the past two decades, I have grown to hate March. March for me isn't good. Break ups happen in March. People die in March. Winter won't end in March. Especially this year. A foot of snow outside and the bit that does melt, ends up in the drainage disaster where the driveway meets the garage. I'm thinking of a investing in a kayak to get to the car.

I self medicate quite well. Whether that medication is time out, entertainment, beverage, time alone or whatever. I try to find some thing to minimize whatever the rough spot of the day is. But this month has been hard. When the winter blues have their grip on me this hard, I see negatives in every corner. I take every statement, look, off hand comment the wrong way and to heart. Being aware that I do it helps but it doesn't make it happen any less.

Weirdly enough, I have found one thing that has helped in some measure these past few weeks. Movies on VHS. Yep. Serious.

I feel about VHS like many feel about vinyl records. There is something familiar and nostalgic and tactile about them. Having to rewind. Adjusting the damn tracking so those lines disappear. The wonderfully outdated previews and commercials that you have to either sit through or fast forward through. I grew up with movies on VHS. I love them.

So recently, I went down to Half Price Books, went down to the clearance level and stocked up. I have my family's entire VHS collection in the basement. But it's all the way down the stairs. And part of the joy is finding things I wouldn't expect.

Like an unopened copy of The Hunt for Red October!!!!!!

Which of course, I haven't even considered opening. Possibly my favorite movie of all time, and it's never been touched?!?!

I also picked up Gone in 60 Seconds, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, Speed and High Fidelity. What a haul? Three of my favorite movie ever, the movie that introduced me to Sandra Bullock and one that is just pure popcorn fun with plenty of Nic Cage.

I've watched Gone four times already. Crusade twice and Speed once. High Fidelity always hits a bit close to home, so we'll wait for April on that one.

Revisiting these films, filled with memories and fun little surprises, like young Jeff Daniels in Speed, the impulse to say "Pop quiz, Hot shot". Super young and annoying Timothy Olyphant delivering lines like "Are you ok? Are you sure? Because you just went through a wall..." A future Doctor Who as the baddie in Gone, Christopher Eccleston. Alan Ruck, Cameron from Ferris Bueller's Day Off being one of the bus passengers in Speed. All such good stuff.

Often memory lane for me is more nightmare on elm street type stuff. A place I don't let my mind go too often. But these movies, with the joy I remember from seeing them the first time. All the times I'd say to Matt Johnson in grade school, "Pop Quiz, hot shot" How I was convinced I'd marry Sandra Bullock. How Harrison Ford and Sean Connery together just seemed so right and how I imagined it was just like when I would go flea marketing with my father in Arkansas. Minus the hot blonde Nazi of course.

All those good things. Good thoughts. Maybe I'll make it through this March after all.

Game of Thrones Season 1 Episode 2. Shhh...kid is sleeping

So it's not after midnight and I'm sure that this will probably wake my son as he's literally sleeping feet away. Curiously his bed is unacceptable. Grr.

Episode 2. The Kingsroad

Love the opening. Love it more that it was originally created as a between scenes mechanism for the audience to know where things were happening. And love it best because they ditched that and just expected more from the audience.

Dothraki. Walking/riding for ever sucks. Soon to be Khalisee doesn't like this so much...

Drago is like a C cup at least right?

Big brother is creep. Even when he is being a dick about nonsense.

Tyrion. Wakes with livestock....I've been there.

Imp slapping Jophrey is my favorite moment. Maybe ever.

Bran might live. Awkward for everyone in the house of creepy incest.

Circi is such a liar. She wants nothing more than Bran dead....

Jamie, claims to help John Snow. But he knows that John Snow is a threat....

Arya is so destined for more. and her and John Snow should spend more time talking since they could great allies.

John Snow makes an effort with his familhy. In spite of his step mom's hate. Good man.

I get why she (lady stark) hates him. But he's been a good sibling so seriously, it's that more important?!!?

Rob and John parting is heart breaking.

King and hand. Such good friends. But not excellent people.

Targardrean has wed a Dothraki. Is that bad?

So that happened....lets all stare at the dragon eggs and pretend it didnt.

Tyrion and John Snow. Seriously. A great pair to rule....but no.

The mind needs books like the sword needs a wet stone. F'ing brilliant.

Bran is still asleep. Easily the best job every. Collect sag rates and prepare to sleep.

Rob steps up. First time. Not the last time. He is Eddard's son

Thank god for the white wolves. Seriously considering getting a wolf like dog now. Bad ass.

Khaleesi learns quick.

Mssr. Stark knows...and the hair might tell her something.

Rob is pissed.

So Lady Stark is going on a trip and Rob is right to fear for Bran. I like him again.

If he wanted the Dothoraki way...why did he marry you?

"Tonight I will look upon your Face"

Damn. We didn't cover this in interpersonal communication....

Jophrey is such a dick.

Arya is the best ever. And her wolf best Jophrey too.

Arya also protects her wolf. Best of the rest. Easy.

Couldnt be a better way to pit North v South than the direwollf execution.

And thus. Bran awakes.

Episode 2. Ends. I'm exhausted after two...not sure I'll make it all the way...

Board Game Review: Tsuro

I love TV/Movies/Internet and all the rest of media more than most. But there is more to life than staring at one screen or another. I've been looking for fun things to do with the kids during the winter. We can't go outside as much, it's a pain to deal with all the boots, gloves that keep getting lost etc. In in my search for options outside of technology, it's ironic that technology would actually provide an answer.

Recently, I discovered a Youtube series called Tabletop. Hosted by the former Wesley Crusher, Will Wheaton, the show centers around a group of mildly famous individuals having a game night. I watched all the episodes (20) in one week and lamented that I had no one to play the games with.

Sometimes I am an idiot. I have two awesome roommates would have growing minds that need more outlets for stimulation. So I took the chance to show a few choice episodes to my son and daughter. And they absolutely love it. As we watched some of the easy to understand games, I came to realize that it was very possible that they were ready to try some of them out.

One of our favorite episodes is Ticket to Ride. Our journey down to The Source Comics and Games in Roseville was simply to pick up a copy for ourselves. However, when we got there we found Tsuro and the plan changed. Tsuro is actually even easier to play and we decided that it would be a great first new board game choice.


From the publisher:
A beautiful and beautifully simple game of laying a tile before your own token to continue its path on each turn. The goal is to keep your token on the board longer than anyone else's, but as the board fills up this becomes harder because there are fewer empty spaces left... and another player's tile may also extend your own path in a direction you'd rather not go. Easy to introduce to new players, Tsuro lasts a mere 15 minutes and actually does work for any number from 2 to 8.

15 minutes! And that's not far off. Easy to play. Easy to set up. Easy to explain. Follow the path. Don't let other Dragon's fly into you. Don't fly off the board.   It requires the players to look at their cards and plan ahead. There is a bit of a chess element to it - If I do this - this will happen - etc. Planning ahead. Strategy.

 I loved watching each of my children take on a gaming personality. My daughter would plan ahead and try and stay way from other dragons by sticking to the edges of the board. My son however, chose the offense as defense approach and tried to go right after the other dragons. Hoping to force them off the board or crash into them. Both strategy's proved successful as they each won a game. It was easy to clean up and we look forward to playing again.

For the less than the cost of a dinner out and easily less than a movie, we were able to use our brains a bit and have some fun. I would highly recommend Tsuro as a fun quick game that can be challenging to you and old alike. I give it four flying dragons out of five. If anyone is up for a game, let me know.

Check out the Tabletop episode below. We've already ordered Get Bit!! as well. :)

Game of Thrones Rewatch Season 1 Episode 1

In preparation for the third season of Game of Thrones, I have decided to re-watch the entire first two seasons. I've actually tried to start it at least five times. But I promised myself I would emulate one of my favorite web-based writers and do a running diary or blog. Just like Bill Simmons, my reactions will be put down as they happen. Of course, the NBA Draft often has more intrigue and plot twists than most dramas. But this is HBO. And Game of Thrones. Should be good stuff. Or horrible....

Season One: Episode One.

Opens with a gate. I don't remember this at all. Oh there's some Nightwatchman? Its the wall.

So much $$$ spent on the visuals I'm sure. It works.

Dude is crawling in the snow. Can't be good.

He saw something. Smoke. Heads. Not good. I wont know for a while I'm sure.

They killed children. That's not good. Main night watch guy is such a jerk and so going to die.

The dead men/women/children vanished. Not good.

And then cocky head nights watch man was dead. Cue the run away...run away.

Beheaded dude.

Well winter might be coming but it's probably bad news.

Opening credits. I love these. So clever. Give a chance for the viewer to understand the different lands. but done in such a way that hints to the political machinery that holds each place together. Well done.

Oh Winterfell. John Snow as advisor to the young lad. Still sucks at archery.

Youngest girl hates sewing. Rather be arching. Her and young boy could swap for the better.

And then she out did him. I love that girl.

White walkers are coming. That seems bad. But they still kill the guy for letting them know.

John Snow would have been a bad ass big brother. Too bad he's a bastard.

Mountain Lion. No mountain lion in these woods.

Oh look! the white wolves!

Runt of the litter. John Snow...doesn't quite fit. I'm I the only one who thinks John is more Ned's son than any except Aria?

Ah the brother sister creepiness. So intense. So awful. Yet Jamie Lannister gets more love than even another swordsman of ill temper, Lancelot. Lannister-Lancelot. Coincidence?

Stark's brother is dead. Stark will be the new Hand? Awkward.

Stark boys/bros hate Snow. Not fair. Dude's just got better hair.

Foreshadow. No more climbing Bran.....

And the king arrives. The stark girl gives Jophry the eyes. Idiot.

Rob Stark annoyed me at first. Then I like him. Then I hate him. Then I don't know.

Seriously. How does only Aria know who's who???

Arguably the two most likable adults in the first season are the King and the Hand. But in Martin's world...that's a kiss of death.

First Imp appearance. It goes well. Bros look out for bros. I guess.

Oooh. The first Dragon folk appearance. White hair is...weird but not as creepy as big brother.

Seriously...."Wake the dragon?" Super Creep. Even Rick James is queasy.

Drogo is imposing. And well played. Casting has been done especially well in this season.

Arranged marriage. That always works.

Uh oh. She has doubts....but big creepy brother says no.

I really hate big brother. Excellent writing for that.

Also, I hate Censa (sp?) as well. And Jophry. All excellent casting.

John Snow and the bastards always connect more than the nobles.

Benjen seems like a nice guy. He'll probably be dead soon.

Tryian is the best. Horrible. But brilliant. Arguably best suited to rule.

Snow and Tyrian could be a great ruling pair...but because Martin deals in reality...never will.

Winter is coming. Damn that's said a lot.

John Aaron was murdered....Great.

Bear island dude shows. He just want's Danaryens. (sp) And be a pain the side of every thing.

Poor girl is so out of her depth. Which will make her rise so much better.

"There is no word for Thank you in Dothraki" (anti-Minnesota Nice)

Big brother is easily the creepiest character I've seen on tv...maybe ever.

Imps. Don't. Hunt.

Ugh. Bran is going to fall soon...Mom said don't climb. Even the dog knows.....

And then he sees....not good....Jamie doesn't want too...but....he does...

And...that ends episode one. Jamie is a dick. Ned is screwed. Already why won't anyone listen to the two most logical people in the whole damn world. Because one is a young girl and the other a bastard....