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Wednesday, June 30, 2004
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little drummer girl
There's a new video of Emily Anne with her LeapFrog drum.
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7:53 PM :: link ::
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Monday, June 28, 2004
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In the Army Now
Troy decides he needs some discipline in his life, so he goes to basic training. Here he is in a wargame simulating the battle at Sainte Mère-Eglise.
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10:04 PM :: link ::
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Wednesday, June 23, 2004
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Still the Same
 Although the game officially released on June 7th (the day after the 60th anniversary of D-Day), I haven't seen my pre-ordered copy of Memoir 44. According to FedEx, it should be here tomorrow.
This reminds me of the anticipation that I had when I was a kid. One instance in particular comes to mind. I was waiting for my Dad to come home from work. He had promised to pick up one of the new Transformers on his way home. It was summer. I had a friend over and we had the stereo blaring. Being a geek, and into popular music, I had a themed song playing that had been recorded onto cassette from the radio -- probably one of my many call-in requests: "I Can't Wait" by Nu Shooz.
I've changed quite a bit over the years, but some things stay the same: I'm still a music lover (my taste HAS improved); I still love games (even more so); and I'm still a geek -- only with more complicated toys.
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4:37 PM :: link ::
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Thursday, June 17, 2004
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Visit from a Cheapskate
It's a common occurence these days to be asked for your feedback. Whether it's an evaluation card at a restaurant or hotel or even while shopping on the Internet. Many times, I even disregard requests for my input. But not this one ....
A few weeks ago, I was cruising around one of my favorite Internet haunts - Cheapskatemonthly. It's the home of the Ultimate Cheapskate - Mary Hunt. Mary (and I can call her by her first name because I've read her books and share her convictions) is committed to helping people live debt free and financially sound lives. We have learned so much from her life and her writings about how to manage our money. I can honestly say that I don't think that we would be debt free without her encouragement.
So, when I was on her website recently, they asked for feedback. Now, if you're like me, you would love to comment - but why waste the time when I'm sure it gets buried in some poor person's InBox (and if it looks like mine, it will never see daylight). I decided, on a whim, to respond to Mary and let her know a little bit about what an impact she has made on our lives.
EUREKA!
In my InBox yesterday was a personal email from Mary Hunt asking me if I would write a little bit about our financial journey for the August Cheapskate Monthly magazine. WOW! How awesome is that!
So, lest I spend more time in shock ... I have to get to work - I have to finish it by next week!!
Just a word of advice - don't hesitate to give your feedback - you never know where it may get you!!
-- Meg.
Other ddo posts with relevance to this one:
Enjoy Now, Pay Later | Common Cents
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2:08 PM :: link ::
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Wednesday, June 16, 2004
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Why me?
I saw this on wilwheaton.net and had to follow the link:
There's no explanation on the site other than it's a parody of our government's terror alert system. Well, I guess it's good that my name isn't associated with the highest terror alert.
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4:59 PM :: link ::
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New Creation
I was inspired today to create a new Blog. This is to be a collaboration of the efforts of several intelligent Christians. My vision is for it to be a place where people can discuss issues and apply Biblical truth.
Ideally, the blog will be updated five times a week and have regular discussion in the comments.
Go take a look!
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1:30 PM :: link ::
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Tuesday, June 15, 2004
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TV Trends
In a commercial break during NBA Finals game 4, I saw ads for two new shows on ABC.
One is a reality show called 'Wife Swap.' The tagline is 'There's a new Mommy in Town.' Without much information to go on, this already had me worried. A Google News search later, I found out more of the details. In this article, it is explained that bedroom activity isn't involved, but that other household duties are. That's a relief, but it still has me worried. Why? I guess it's the fact that they're making a game out of the family unit. TV has already made fun of the traditional family. Now it's further trivializing it on the assumption that the women are interchangeable: "Let's see what happens when Sally acts as wife and mom in the Jones family."
The second ad was for a show called 'Desperate Housewives.' Again, the title alone has me wanting to rip out the limited cable that we do have. The ad shows a woman reviewing her To-Do list: buy groceries; repair car; cheat on husband (which is circled in red). At first, I thought that this was also a reality show. To my slight relief, it is not.
But it begs the question -- where are the shows that build up and encourage functional families? Where are the Huxtables? Where are the Keatons and the Seavers? Sure, these weren't the best shows, but at least they showed positive role models and encouraged loving family relationships.
I agree that Television shouldn't be where we learn how to be responsible parents, faithful spouses, or well-behaved children. But it saddens me that so much work, money, and talent goes into shows that chip away at the moral fabric of our nation.
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5:49 PM :: link ::
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Saturday, June 12, 2004
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Cross Reference
My friend Gee posted a pic of me and Greg Myer [the MOAG2 champ] playing Alhambra during MOAG3 last week. It was my first time playing the game, and I came in 3rd out of 4. I like the game and would like to play it again to get a grip on the strategy. Incidentally, Gee was the gentleman that I went up against in MOAG1 for the championship in a game of Gipf.
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8:40 PM :: link ::
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Friday, June 11, 2004
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An Encounter with the Gipper
One can not help but be drawn into the events of this week with the passing of former President Ronald Reagan. By nature, I am uniquely drawn to such momentous occassions in life. I sit glued to the tv when the Olympics are on. I watch awards shows almost religiously. Why? Because I know that these are memory making moments. In the course of our typically mundane lives, it is these events that give color and become cultural milestones that we all share.
As I have been watching the funeral service from the national cathedral, I have been struck by the amazing collection of world leaders that have gathered. In the front rows are all of the living presidents of our country. A few rows over are other leaders of Reagan's time - Mikhail Gorbachev and Margaret Thatcher. As the cameras have scanned across the crowd, there are dignitaries in all forms of dress, all presenting themselves in honor of this beloved man and his legacy.
Though I don't specifically remember what I was wearing, I'm sure that it was something much less noteworthy as I met Ronald Reagan over 20 years ago. I was only 5 years old, but I can still remember the scene. My parents took me to a campaign stop in the 1980 presidential election. There, way down the hill on a temporary stage with big speakers and banners, was Mr.Reagan. Though my memories are limited, I do remember how I walked away in awe of this thing called "politics". I didn't understand why all these people had gotten together and why they cheered every time someone from the podium took a breath, and even more so, I was impressed by the kind gentleman who reminded me of my grandfather. He was funny, and charismatic - how could you not like him? You could not help but support him.
The very things that Reagan will be remembered for - his optimism, kindness, gentleness, humor, determination, and vision - are the very things that, when lived out by each of us, will truly change the world and make it a better place.
--Meg
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12:29 PM :: link ::
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Thursday, June 10, 2004
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Geek Barter
I sold one of my Gmail invitations to Aldie, Master Geek over at BoardGameGeek.com. That's what I call a win-win situation. He gets a Gmail account, and I get a GeekBadge [see it at the top of my Geek profile]. Since I haven't yet heard from anyone concerning my guest blogger offer, I'm open to other requests. What would you like to put to the table in exchange for an early Google Mail account?
[Gmail Features]
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8:28 PM :: link ::
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Wednesday, June 09, 2004
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Gmail Swap
As of yesterday, I was given three Gmail invitations to disperse. I have responded to three requests for Gmail over at Gmail Swap. Two were for $20 cash and the other was for a Linkin Park CD. But in case they don't respond, I am offering a deal to you, the reader/visitor/guest here at ddo.
I will extend a Gmail invitation to anyone who is willing to be a guest writer here at my humble corner of the web. Prerequisites are that you have some interesting viewpoint/perspective to share, that you can communicate well, and that you post three items a week for three weeks.
If you are interested please email me (use the CONTACT link above or the COMMENT link below) with a sample of your writing and ideas for three posts. If further interested, I will require that submit a final draft of these three posts. Depending on the quality, I will send you an invite to Gmail!
Too much work? How about $20 or a Linkin Park CD? :)
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11:27 AM :: link ::
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Sunday, June 06, 2004
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One for the Gipper
May he rest in peace. Biography of Ronald Reagan
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3:48 PM :: link ::
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In Memoriam
On this, the 60th anniversary of D-Day, we thank the brave souls who fought to make the world a safer place. We also thank all the men and women who have served or still serve with the same purpose in mind.
Godspeed!
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8:53 AM :: link ::
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Saturday, June 05, 2004
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Welcome Back, Troy!
As a result of my winning the 3rd semi-annual 'Master of All Games Tournament' [hosted by Kerry Lassiter], Troy has returned to the Dreifuss household. It's been about eight months since he's darkened these doors. Here, the Carcassonne meeples welcome him upon his return. It's good to have you back.
The Adventures of Troy will resume soon, probably occurring twice a month. Stay tuned.
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11:59 PM :: link ::
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Friday, June 04, 2004
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Productivity Quotient
I believe that many a conflict is a result of the uncommunicated expectations of two or more parties. For example, my boss may expect me to respond to a client in a certain manner, but doesn't tell me so. I respond to the client in a way that is natural and logical to me. He doesn't like what he overhears, and we butt heads.
Then, there's conflict that is a result of the misinterpretation of communicated expectations. My boss communicates that he wants me to respond in a certain way. I interpret the instructions and follow through. He may still not like what he hears. We clash again and then more specific instructions are given.
This is a fictional scenario with me and my boss. I actually like my boss (especially if he's reading this!) and get along well with him.
I believe that a conflict that my wife and I had recently has something to do with the second example. She is a very task oriented, list-making person. I have a propensity for sloth. We continue in the task of meeting in the middle, but I'm not always an enthusiastic team player.
I'm sorry, honey.
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8:22 AM :: link ::
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Thursday, June 03, 2004
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Games for Greenhorns
Translation: Introducing the new wave of games to your friends who think of "Monopoly" and "Risk" when you say board games. Read the short-but-sweet article below:
Funagain Games: Games for New Gamers
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3:27 PM :: link ::
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Eat yummy Mexican food (x3)
