Posts Tagged ‘Condo’

Oct
0

Round 4: Steve vs. Amy in "Ticket to Ride"

It's been a little while since I've posted an updated list of scores in our "Steve vs. Amy" Ticket to Ride games. Having a baby will do that, I guess. We actually still have been playing, but I haven't spent the time to blog about the scores, so it's time to play catchup.

For those just tuning in for the first time… whenever we play a head-to-head game, we update the ongoing results table on our guest bathroom wall, which features chalkboard paint. Our guests are always quite amused when they take a look! (Previous Updates: Round 1, Round 2, and Round 3).

The following scores include games played December 2011 through April 2012:

Round 4: Steve vs. Amy Game Results

Round 4: Steve vs. Amy Game Results

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Dec
0

Round 3: Steve vs. Amy in "Ticket to Ride"

It's time to post an update on the ongoing scores of "Steve vs. Amy" Ticket to Ride games!  Whenever we play a head-to-head game, we update the ongoing results table on our guest bathroom wall, which features chalkboard paint.  Our guests are always quite amused when they take a look!

We posted Round 1 results last October, with an update on Round 2 in April.  Well, we've finished another column of games, so it's time to post the latest results:

Round 3: Steve vs. Amy Game Results

Round 3: Steve vs. Amy Game Results

To be honest, we haven't been playing Ticket to Ride at the same pace that we had previously.  Our passion for the game hasn't subsided, but rather with Amy being pregnant and frequently tired, we just haven't had the time in the evenings to play like we used to.

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Sep
0

Summertime Out and About 2

Now that I've got some downtime after being hit by a car while riding my bike (we'll save that story for later), I figured it would be a good time to look at some other things we did over the past few months.  It's another "Summertime Out and About" post!

Ticket to Ride at the Botnaic Gardens!

Ticket to Ride at the Botnaic Gardens!

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May
3

Potterisms

Amy & I recently finished up rewatching all 11 seasons of M*A*S*H, a task we've actually done many times (that's 251 episodes for those who are counting).  We enjoy watching the show and the many ways it reinvented itself over the years with the cast transitions.  The nice thing about the DVD releases is that you can watch episodes with the laugh track turned off, which is how the show was aired in the UK.  The strong writing is evident without the fake laughing, making it far more enjoyable.

Potterisms on the Bathroom Wall

Potterisms on the Bathroom Wall

As we neared the end of the series, Amy took it upon herself to chronicle the various quirky quotes by Colonel Sherman Potter, which she termed as "Potterisms."  As has previously befitted our Ticket to Ride scores, these quotes made their way to our bathroom wall, which is coated in chalkboard paint.

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Apr
1

Who's Rich Uncle Pennybags now?

We got together with some friends last night to play Monopoly.  Amy & I are not huge fans of the game, but they are.  Plus, you can only play Ticket to Ride so many times, right?

Steve is a hotel maniac!

Steve is a hotel maniac!

We used a standard board, but for a nice twist added in the "Speed Die" and "Bus Tickets" from 2006's Monopoly: The Mega Edition.  This accelerates the game a bit by allowing the player to advance to the next unowned property during the beginning game rolls, thus enabling you to quickly buy these locations.  As the game progresses and the properties are all owned, this same die forces to you advance to the next property you owe rent on… so that's painful.

In the end, I had hotels on half the board and ended up victorious!  Just call me Rich Uncle Pennybags (or Mr. Monopoly if you prefer a retconned name)!

Apr
2

Round 2: Steve vs. Amy in "Ticket to Ride"

Back in October, we posted a photo of our guest bathroom wall, where we had been keeping track of the "Steve vs. Amy" Ticket to Ride scores. Since that time, we've added another column and here are the results:

Round 2: Steve vs. Amy Game Results

Round 2: Steve vs. Amy Game Results

In Round 2 of our matchups, we tied in wins with 8 games each.  You'll note that our more recent games have included the awesome new Alvin & Dexter Monster Expansion, which really adds so much more fun to any Ticket to Ride game.

On the wall you'll also note our "W+D" references, which represent the "Warehouses and Depots" game elements that are part of the Europa 1912 Expansion (and like Alvin & Dexter, can be added to any version of Ticket to Ride).  This expansion also includes new Destination Tickets much like the USA 1910 Expansion for the original game, except that Ticket to Ride Europe is now the benefactor, providing 3 different expansion games to play (Europe Expanded, Mega Europe, and Big Cities of Europe).

Providing a fun break from regular TtR games, our friend Jason Steele gave us a fan-made map of the London Underground which really was quite different.  We haven't released the monsters on this city yet, so apparently the folks on London are safe for a little while longer!

I'd also like to point your attention to a fan-created set of rules called the Ghost Train, which actually did a very nice job of tightening up the USA map for a 2-player game.  Such a simple concept, but it added a lot more cutthroat action in a recent game.

Finally, I'm particularly proud of the Nordic game we played where I won with the really low score of 71-57.  This game almost had me sleeping on the couch because I ended up defeating Amy in under 20 minutes using a strategy I read about online.  She was NOT happy about that technique.  Needless to say, I haven't used that strategy since then. :)

Who's ready for Round 3?

Apr
0

Hot Water is a Good Thing

It's nice to have hot water.

Hot Water Heater: Before & After

Hot Water Heater: Before & After

Back in February, Amy & I bought a new water heater for our condo.  The previous one was original to the building… 17 years old!  Over the past year or so we've noticed, shall we say, disappointing performance out of the old thing, so it was time for a switch!

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Feb
0

Chicago Blizzard 2011

Well, the Great Chicago Blizzard of 2011 has come and gone. The "Snowpocalypse" hit us February 1-2, officially dumping 20.2 inches at O'Hare, making this the 3rd largest in Chicago history (following blizzards in 1967 and 1999). Heck, the Chicago Public Schools even canceled classes for 2 days… which never happens.

Amy stands next to a yardstick... yes, lots of snow!

Amy stands next to a yardstick... yes, lots of snow!

We lost power for 14 hours during the storm, but luckily our condo retains heat very well. We just played boardgames in the dark and listened to the radio reporting all the crazy happenings in the snow.

Snow attempts to bury the fence

Snow attempts to bury the fence

Speaking of our condo, because of the way it was built, we saw some pretty huge snow drifts piled up against the building, doors, and windows. It also took a few days to clear out enough snow to get Amy's car out of the garage… and many days later to dig my car out of the street.

Playing "Dominion" by LED and candlelight

Playing "Dominion" by LED and candlelight

Aside from vehicles getting abandoned on Lake Shore Drive when it was shut down during the storm, the city actually did a pretty good job of handling the blizzard… as is typical of a municipality where a snowstorm once determined a mayoral election!

Snow as viewed from our atrium

Snow as viewed from our atrium

I should also mention that our 9th wedding anniversary took place during the blizzard… and it was an odd way to celebrate it!

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Jan
0

A Night of Ticket to Ride

Over the weekend, some friends joined us for an impromptu get-together to play Ticket to Ride.  After all, it's January, it's cold, it's full of doldrums… why not play a boardgame which takes you to exotic cities… like Duluth?

A Night of Ticket to Ride

Amy, Megan, Branden, & Sarah take on TtR Europe

The 11 of us played every one of our TtR games, including the original USA version (with the USA 1910 Expansion), Europe (with the Europa 1912 Expansion featuring Warehouses & Depots), Switzerland, and Nordic Countries.

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Nov
0

Get a Clue at the Tanners 2010

Back in October, we hosted our 5th "Clue Night", where we welcomed 13 friends to join us in playing multiple versions of the boardgame Clue, while enjoying some good food, conversation, and laughter watching the 1985 film of the same name.

Anyone for a game of Clue?

This fall tradition is something we started shortly after getting married, hosting a "beta test" followed by events in 2006, 2007, and 2009.  It was a way to tie into the "mystery" element of the Halloween season in a unique way.  And even though our boardgame affections have strayed heavily towards Ticket to Ride, we still have a warm place in our hearts for Clue.

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