Big Games of days past (3)

 After church on Sunday nights we used to go out to the volleyball court at the local park. Though we never had an official one, we did talk about creating our own tournament one day. Problem was, we barely had enough for 2 teams, which doesn't make for much of a tournament so it never panned out. 

Would I want to bring it back? Nah. I haven't played in years.

Big Games of days past (2)

 Another annual game we came very close to getting was going to be called the Dabney Cup. Where we'd play indoor hockey inside a skating rink. 

How close did we come? Very. We had a rink ready to block off a night for us, who had the nets and puck but no hockey sticks or equipment. Meaning, we'd have to buy expensive goalie equipment and provide hockey sticks for everyone, so it never came to fruition. 

Would I like to bring it back? Sure! If people would buy their own equipment but I doubt that would ever happen. 

Big Games of days past (1)

 Thought today I'd start a series where I talk about old annual games I used to (or tried to get started to) play every year for a while. 

None of them are around anymore though I'd like to bring some of them back. 

The first one is one we never got started but made plans to do and it never worked out. A annual Tennis Tournament called "The Auburn Invitational" because it was going to consist of people from our church which was Auburn Avenue Pres. Church at the time. 

There were a few kids and adults who already knew how to play but what we quickly discovered was....there wasn't that many! I tried to learn it but sucked (as did a few other people) so the idea was scrapped when we realized we couldn't even get 8 to show up. 

Would I want to bring it back? No. If I couldn't play back then, I surely can't now.  

Cities I'd like to live in.

 Let's pretend instant transportation was around and I could see me family whenever I wanted. What cities would I like to live in? Well, here's the list:

Chattanooga, TN

I got good friends and family here. It's a beautiful place and though I hate snow, I'd still give it a whirl. 

Daphne, AL

Wonderful little town located right outside Mobile, AL. Very pretty too. I also have family here too. 

Forest, MS

Where I grew up. I visit from time to time and it STILL feels like home!

Orlando, FL

Two words: Disney World. Two better words: No Lockdown. What does it mean? Paradise.  

Tempe, AZ

Lots of good friends here. I worked here for so long, a part of me still thinks of it as home. 

The Streets of Sesame

 Found some old notes I took down for a story idea I had years ago about a noir story starring Sherlock Hemlock as he goes on the job to solve a murder mystery of a muppet on Sesame street. 

In it, Bert and Ernie are drug dealers, Cookie monster is an addict (there's crack in the cookies) and there's a gang war with Oscar and Big Bird on both ends of the war. Oscar runs the underground where Big Bird owns the street. 

Kemit is the new reporter covering the downfall of this once friendly neighbor and in the end the killer turns out to be a crazed Count, who ran out of things to count, went insane and started sucking the cotton out of muppets to count his kills like some deranged serial killer. 

Pretty dark I know, but it would've had funny stuff in it too. Either way, it would've been fun to see!

Breaking the house of glass

 Medical university John Hopkins just released a study saying herd immunity would happen in April in the US. 

The news media is trying to bury the story as that ruins their "scare tactic" approach to the pandemic. 

Funny how any "good news" about the virus consistently gets buried while "gloom and doom" news makes headlines. 

Flannel

 Man, I've been loving me some flannel shirts! Got one of almost every color now except yellow and to be honest, by the time this posts I may already have bought one! 

So comfy and warm. Plus, they look good with jeans! What's happening to me? I care about clothes now?!? I AM getting old!

Look at this!

 Even the mask manufacturers know that masks DO NOT protect you against COVID-19. 

Love it. 

T-shirts I'd love to have (3)

 

A Watcher shirt from the Highlander TV show. Another shirt that will be in my collection one day. I already have a matching pendant to go with it. 

I don't care what you think. This shirt is hilarious. 

Obviously, I'm a big fan of the energy drinks, so having a shirt would be awesome. But they charge a LOT for these so the chances of me getting one are zero. 

My favorite restaurant until they shuttered them all down years ago. I think Megan and I had our first date here too. Be nice to sport a shirt of them. 

My FAVORITE place to buy books back in the day. So many of my Star Wars books were bought from them. This is another one that's high on my wish list. 

T-shirts I'd love to have (2)

Yesterday I spoke about collecting DC shirts, I also collect an imaged version of each super hero symbol's shirt I have. So in that case, I would also get this Wonder Twins T-shirt!

I LOVED this line of toys as a kid. To be honest, this is next on my list of shirts I must own. SO awesome to see someone made a shirt of this!!

Another show I couldn't get enough of as a kid. There's another version of the shirt that says "Take a look its in a book" but I like this tag line better. 

Called "The Marvin" I never knew this shirt existed! It's from the old 70's Superfriends cartoon and it's another one that will now be marked "high" on my list.  

My favorite store as a kid. If I were rich, I'd bring it back by opening up my own. So many memories walking around this store growing up. I'd LOVE to have this shirt!

OH NO!!!

 I just found out that we have a HIGHER percent chance of dying in a car wreck than we do dying of COVID!!!!

We need to STOP driving this instant. If you're behind the wheel YOU or contributing to the problem!

Don't travel in a car ANYWHERE and live to see another day folks! Come on! If we all do this together and stop driving for 1 year we can flatten this curve! 

FACT: According the the CDC there's a .025% chance of dying of COVID and a .097% chance of dying in a car wreck. 

That's more than 3 times the risk!! We can't allow this to happen! So what you should do is shame people in public for getting behind the wheel. (However, if they're eating something while driving it's ok) 

Come on people! KEYS DOWN and let's do this! It's the only way we're going to make it through this crisis. 

Live in FEAR of the road!!!!

What "God is Love" really means

 I love how people continue to miss the meaning behind the words "God is Love" 

They think it means, we should love people no matter how much they defy God and His commandments. For someone with no knowledge or love themselves, they try to throw that on to Christians missing the point entirely. 

God IS love, and He DOES love the sinners, though we must obey His commandments and pray for forgiveness when we stray. But to say you must "love" someone who is in danger of enteral damnation without letting them know of God's Word and to repent and walk in His way, has it all backwards. 

We let other know to save them. Not saying anything and letting them wallow in sin is NOT "love"

We pray for their hearts to change and follow the Lord before its too late. THAT is love. 

 

Sam's Club Sucks

 I don't know why I continue to be an idiot and try to order pick up from these places. 

I placed an order for diapers 3 days ago.....it's still not ready. The kicker is Sam's refuses to give me a refund until I pick up the product. 

Awful service. Will never use again. 

USPS Sucks

 It snowed 2 inches in Monroe yesterday. So the postal service has decided to suspend the mail for the rest of the week until the snow melts. 

I hate the USPS. 

T-shirts I'd love to have (1)

 There's a few shirts out there I wouldn't mind having. Here's a few I'd like to show you today!

Huge Shirt Tales fan as a kid. Because you never see them around today makes having this shirt all the more special!

Another cartoon I watched as a kid that you see no merchandising for these days. I even though about getting this on a face mask at one point, but who would get the joke?

There's another t-shirt out there that has the poster from the first movie as well, I just couldn't find it. But I'd love to have one of each.

The old Voltron Crest! I used to have a membership card to their fan club that bore the same emblem. Of course I'd probably go short sleeve with this one. 

I collect DC symbol t-shirts and this may be one of the last ones for me to get. It's Zan from the Wonder Twins. Though it'd be nice if Megan wore his sister's shirt with me at the same time. 

More coming tomorrow!

Lunch boxes I'd love to have

Used to have this exact one as a kid. So many memories of bringing it with me to school as a kid. 

I had this one too growing up. Thought it was super cool too.....what was I thinking? 

I would've LOVED this one as a kid. Heck, I'm an adult and I'd probably take this with me to work now!

Are you kidding me?! I would've DIED for this lunch box as a kid. By the way, besides milk and water did your mom ever put anything else in the thermos?

 I had this one too growing up but didn't use it as much for whatever reason. Too bad all this are WAY overpriced these days or I'd track'em down again!

As if we needed more proof

 Florida has no mask mandate and allow for 100% oocupancy. 

In case of COVID per captia, it ranks 30. Meaning it's in the bottom half of the country. 

The highest cases are still New York and California, who have the highest cases per captia in the nation. 

Funny how no one cares to mention this. 

 

Top 100 Board Games Overview (#10-1)

 Ok, let's see how's at risk of falling out, who will stay and who I think will rise!

2020 #10

Very hard for a new game to get this high on my list. But I think it doesn't hold on for this year. 

2020 #9 2019 #13 2018 #19

I think this game is here to stay. Not leaving the Top 10

2020 #8 2019 #12 2018 #12 2017 #15 2016 #16

Another game that just entered the coveted Top 10. It's YET to drop in my rankings from year to year so I think this one stays as well. 

2020 #7 2019 #9

This one is a powerhouse in my collection. I think it stays too. 

2020 #6 2019 #7 2018 #11

Another one that refuses to drop on my list but since I got to pick some to drop here, I say this one does. (though it gets played all year round)

2020 #5 2019 #2 2018 #6 2017 #7

This one has always been in my Top 10, though it may slip a little, it remains there in 2021. 

2020 #4 2019 #6 2018 #7 2017 #36

Yes I know Galactic Rebellion is a different themed game but it's good. However, I since I have to call some of these as a "drop" I'll tag this one for that list too. 

2020 #3 2019 #4 2018 #4 2017 #5 2016 #3

Unbelievably, this one has not waivered from my Top 5 since the beginning of my list and EVERY year I question if it'll continue to hold up and it does. I'm not questioning this year. It stays Top 5. 

2020 #2 2019 #3 2018 #3 2017 #3

This game is unstoppable. The 6 player game I got to play last year was awesome. I think it'll slidea little next time. But stay in the Top 5. Flawless game. 

2020 #1 2019 #1 2018 #2 2017 #2 2016 #2

Now that the new expansion for the 4th edition is out I don't think I'll ever play 3rd edition again. This game remains #1 on my list while all the others in my collection bow down to it. The perfect game. 

Top 100 Board Games Overview (#20-11)

 Now it's time to see who stays, who goes and who has a shot at moving up into the hallowed Top 10. 

2020 #20 2019 #14 2018 #18

I think this game is good enough to stay in the top 20 but has no chance for the Top 10. 

2020 #19 2019 #16 2018 #21 2017 #20

This is one of the most consistently ranked games in my collection. Nothing changes for 2021. 

2020 #18 2019 #34

I nice boost up into the Top 20 this year, I think with all the competition below it, this one drops a few spots. 

2020 #17 2019 #17 2018 #8

This game is probably staying in this area. The new expansion is due out soon and I can't wait to play with it. But I think it only guarantees its spot in the Top 20 and won't move up beyond that. 

2020 #16 2019 #25 2018 #45

This game keeps moving up the ranks. I think it'll creep further up the list. Possible Top 10 even. It's that good. 

2020 #15 2019 #10 2018 #9

I think this game stays in the Top 20 but doesn't have a shot at cracking the Top 10 this year. 

2020 #14

New game in my collection. I think it slips slightly in the ranking but stays in the Top 20.

2020 #13 2019 #26

This is a hard one to call. If the other games above it falter, this one could easily take it's place. Let's call it a Top 10 game for 2021. 

2020 #12 2019 #8 2018 #23

The 2nd version of the game wasn't very different, which caused this to drop out of the Top 10. I think it slides a few more spots on the list this year as well. 

2020 #11 2019 #5 2018 #5 2017 #6

A Top 5 game that just didn't make it to the table as often so I had to drop it right outside my Top 10. There's an expansion coming out for it this year that I can't wait for. Depending on how good it is will determine if this game gets back in the Top 10 or stays in the Top 20.