Reading: Starcombing by Dave Langford
Music: Gorillaz
TV/Movie: Word Wars
Link o' the Day: the official Scrabble website



We're settling in nicely. It's been about a month now since we've officially taken up residence and while we're not really living out of boxes anymore, and haven't for a while, there is still a lot left to unpack--mostly books, DVDs, and clothes. Having a washer/dryer set right in the house is a life-changing experience. No more hauling stuff down to the neighborhood laundromat. I've set up some shelves, but I need to set up a lot more, both upstairs in the living area, and down in my basement office. But all in all, I can get used to this living like civilized people thing.

I can cook several parts to a meal all at once without fear of blowing any circuits. Hell, I can run the breadmaker, dishwasher, washer, dryer, and coffeemaker all at once, and still run two computers in the basement and a TV and air conditioner. I'm tempted to really see how much abuse the electrical system can take before I trip something. I have a set list of chores I do each day that don't take up too much time, but go a long way in keeping the place looking nicer than any other place I've ever lived. I think part of the difference is me working from home now. Before, I'd get home, Pretty Maggie would get home... and neither one of us would want to do any chores. We were pooped enough. I didn't mind doing the cooking because I usually got home first and I like to cook--but who wants to clean?



Well it's all different now. I can integrate keeping the house clean in the midst of my workday, and because it takes less time to prepare dinner I have an easier time keeping on top of the cleanup. This really is nice.

Of course we're going broke--the various expenses one accrues while moving in to a new home have been crippling, but once I get some payment in for some of the bigger typesetting gigs, and Obama's first-time home buyer tax credit comes in--we'll have our buffer back and feel a lot more secure.

But every fairy tale needs a dragon and mine is going to be the friggin' lawn.

(Don't be fooled by the pic... it's an older one. Maybe I'll chronicle the battles with the lawn, but for now... let's assume I'm winning (but I'm not)).

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I recently watched Word Wars on Netflix--a documentary on tournament Scrabble players. Hence today's link which takes you to the official Scrabble website. Here you'll find history, faqs, tips and tricks, and a bunch of other stuff of interest to fans of this classic word game.

When will there be a documentary about people who play Chutes & Ladders?

Cheers!