I've been wanting to update this weblog for a while, but I've been busy. First there was the holidays, then there was a little thing about Mars. You see, I'm a mechanical engineer at NASA, specifically the JPL center that's responsible for robotic exploration of space. I supervise about a dozen mechanism engineers, the people who design the things that deploy, unfold, turn wheels, grind rocks, and also those "explosive bolts" you hear about. You'd better believe we had a lot to do with the Mars Rover "Spirit" that successfully landed on January 3rd. In fact, it's been a huge project that completely dominated the past few years at work. It's a huge thrill to see everything work so well! Now we just need to go 2-for-2 with a landing of "Opportunity" on the 24th.
Despite all of that excitement, I still have managed to play some games recently. The Santa Clarita Boardgamers had one last session just before Christmas, and once since then. As we've done for the past couple years (and as I did with my previous game group), we're going to vote on our favorite games played together in 2003. Who knows? Maybe I'll even start updating our anemic web page devoted to the group with this and other info.
I didn't ask for any games at Christmas. When the ones I want are only really available via mail order, I never bother to ask for them. I suppose that's a mistake. Everyone pounced on the list of books I asked for last year. Those are easier to find, naturally, but I think it also shows my family appreciated not having to figure out what I'd like. Hmm. Next year maybe I'll have a game wishlist, figuring Candy can place one combined order, and everyone that's buying me something can join in.
As it was, I asked for and got things that I can use for the hobby, even if not games themselves. Sounds silly, but I asked for those "plasti-bands" mentioned on spielfrieks. They're sort of rubberless rubber bands. Not as stretchy, but the key is that they don't degrade. Now that I'm storing games on shelves in the garage, this is important. (I have no worries for water damage out there--this is a D-R-Y place--but rubber bands don't work.) Also re-acquired my great grandfather's old poker set. I don't think it's especially rare or anything, but obviously it means something to me. I think it looks pretty classy, too. In fact, my wife rearranged the living room to bring back a spare, smaller dropleaf table we had in the garage. Now it's got my game "antiques" on it: Johnson Card Shuffler, poker set, and wooden cribbage box (not antique, but wooden and classy).
What else? I got a bunch of small chips, tokens, and pawns in matching colors (order those at Cheapass). This should help games that have ridiculous paper money in them (like Volle Hutte and Die Safeknacker). The one game we got was Cranium Cadoo. I expect most spielfrieks aren't interested in anything relating to Cranium, but this is their game designed for families, and if mine wants to play, I'm in!