Nerdy Games

Week 8 for Project 52: For Brian's birthday coming up, we decided to have a small get together of some gaming friends to have a game afternoon, instead of just a normal get together. Cuz that's boring! ^_^

While we don't play games like D&D, we do play unusual, and we like to say, "nerdy" games. Or, games that aren't in the mainstream. But are SO fun!

One couple canceled on us, but that's okay. We still had lots of fun! (And more food to go around, hah!)

 

So here's the group we had, getting reading to play Red Dragon Inn. It's a "drinking game", but all in character, and the drinks aren't real. Basically, you're characters that have just returned from your adventure to the local tavern to drink away your loot. Your goals it to either outdrink your fellow gamers, or make them run out of money. It's so fun! ^_^

Before this, we also played a game of Tsuro. We'd only seen this played on Tabletop, but we rented it from a local game shop to try out. Not fun. Quick and easy to learn.

We would have liked to have played another one, but Red Dragon Inn took longer because we had a few new people playing, AND we incorporated the gambling expansion pack (which was new to all of us). But still, overall we had a lot of fun. It's nice to be able to play with people who have similar game interests, but also those who are willing to learn. (For New Year's Eve, we went to someone house to also have a game night, and we took Zombie Dice over, and while most people were a little skeptical, everyone loved the game, so ... there. Ya never know until you try.)

Other games in our library include:
Guillotine
Ninja Burger
Munchkin
Quelf
Sequence

And some standards, with twists:
Disney Monopoly
Lord of the Rings Risk, Monopoly, and Trivial Pursuit
Harry Potter Uno

And, regulars:
Phase 10
Clue
Risk

And more that I can't remember right now.

How about you? Do you have any fun, quirky games you play? Or would recommend?

The Birthday

Okay, so I was totally going to cheat and backdate my entry, seeing as I officially missed blogging on yesterday, Nov. 19. But, I totally have a good excuse: it was my birthday!!

Yesterday I turned 36! I am the same age my mother was when she had me. Almost to the day—her birthday is exactly one week before mine. It seems odd to me. She had 4 children at this point. I have none. But, then, her life is very different from mine, so.... And, I know many women having children later in life, so I don't think about it too much. (Okay, maybe more than lately, as I told my husband that if we decide to have children, I will not go past 40.)

Anyway, on Friday morning, my coworkers surprised me with a little breakfast brunch. (And, I have to say, even though they like to surprise others as well, and I had at first thought they would do it for me, I had only told my supervisor the date shortly after I started 6 months ago—I figured they had forgotten. But no, they're sneaky! *LOL* My super also got me some lovely tulips.

Then, Friday night we had people over—especially some that I haven't seen in YEARS! It was so good to catch up with OLD, old friends, some older friends, and some friends we have just known a few months, so that was nice. It mad me realize that I want to make more of an effort to catch up with old friends and maintain some of those friendships. I mean, some of these people it was as if we had just seen each other last week, well, except for the fact that some are now married and have kids, but .... ^_^ I think it gets a little harder to make friends as you get older, because you're having to fit into the full life of someone else. Whereas, friendships of old were usually made when single, or when one had less responsibilities and therefore had more time to cultivate those friendships. So, that's one of my goals for the coming year.

OH! Which reminds me, this is a a digression, so bear with me. Remember last year, when I mentioned that I was going to start saving for my Masquerade Ball? Well, I am happy to report that I am on my way! For now I only have a few hundred dollars saved, but ... this next year I hope to put in a little more each month than I have been. In 4 years I should be able to have a fab party!!!

Now, back to my birthday. Poor Brian is sick with either a cold, or really bad allergies. He has been trying so hard to make my day a special one. So, we slept in. (Okay, really, he slept in.) Then we went to brunch at Denny's (yes, IHOP is better, but I like the sausage at Denny's better), then to get groceries (sadly, yes, this still needs to be done), then home to relax, watch some TV and just hang out. Then, later we went to dinner at MasterGrill. It's one of those Brazilian Churrascarias (where they bring meat out on the skewers which they cooked on). So delish! The sirloin last night was excellent. And I always wait for the lamb. It's the first place I ever tried lamb with mint jelly (such a strange-sounding combination, but so tasty!). And, they also have this pineapple coated in brown sugar, which is out of this world! YUM! The nice thing about this place, is that it isn't as pricey as some other similar places around here, but it's still good.

And, for last, the gifts. From my friends, the most memorable was a buckram fascinator form so I can make my own fascinator (so excited), and from Brian, a pair of white gold earrings with a gemstone in them, and a special table lamp made to help with lighting when taking still-life pictures (and also some of my crafty items, like cards and things). I know, sounds weird, but I've wanted something like that for awhile so I could have better indoor lighting!

So, that was that. Kind of a slow, lazy birthDAY. And It was nice.

Later today, it's my family's thanksgiving, so we can all go to the in-laws for the actual day.

Day 17 - Something I'm Looking Forward To

I'm looking forward to Brian's birthday at the end of this month. He will be 29! Crazy!

We don't really do much to celebrate Valentine's Day, mostly because it's not a huge deal, really -- we share our love with each other every day in many ways -- and because we'd rather take that money and time and do something nice/fun for Brian's birthday.

I have thought about having people over for a Saturday birthday brunch (as his birthday falls on a Saturday, and we love breakfast foods, and, that way people can still come celebrate, but have the rest of the day to do errands and go other places), but Brian hasn't decided if that's something he'd like. Either way, we are going to go to dinner that evening, although he has yet to tell me what he'd like or where he would like to go. That's okay. It's his day and he can do what he wants. ^_^

35 and a Goal

Well kids, today is my birthday! My 35th birthday, no less.

I went and saw the Harry Potter movie at midnight, and wow, I must be getting old, because the teenagers were so annoying! *LOL*  But then, I told Brian later, that even though I'm 35, and probably a good 20 years (give or take) older than many of those kids in the theater, I don't "feel" that much older than them. Oh, more wise, for sure. More mannered, definitely. But, not necessarily so OLD when compared to them. Does that make sense?

Well, anyway, so far the day has gone well, and it just started, so I'm very excited. And ... I have decided (been thinking of this for a few days now), that today I would put a dream into action and move towards a goal.

As many of you know, I dream of one day throwing my own Masquerade Ball. I have talked about for YEARS. At times I get more excited about it, then start doing lots of research and then realize that *sigh* I have no way to accomplish this right now. And so, I let it slide for awhile. I've had this dream for, oh, I would say a good 10 years (if not a few more), and I do talk about it with people from time to time.

So I decided that no longer will I just TALK about it. I am now going to start moving towards making my dream a reality.

Today, I opened a new, separate savings to save for my Masquerade Ball. Money has been my biggest roadblock, but no longer. I just added a little bit of money to start off with, and every month I will put something in. For now, it will be a very small amount, since Brian's the only one that has a steady income coming in, but that's okay. Because I'm giving myself a timetable to accomplish this goal.

5 years. In 5 years, I WILL throw my very own Masquerade Ball, with whatever money I have put away for this goal. Whether it's $500, $5,000 or $50,000 (yeah, I wish!), I will take that and do what I've dreamed of for so many years.

Of course, there will be other things I'm saving for, like a new camera and a house, but like I said, no matter what I have to work with, I will do it.

Because what's the point of dreaming if you don't try to make them reality. I can't wait around for a Fairy Godmother to grant me all my heart's desires. I am my OWN Fairy Godmother. I just need a little more time. ^_^

And THAT is my birthday gift to myself.

Happy Birthday Brian!

Today, my adoring husband Brian is having a birthday. He is 28 years young!

And the card above is one I made for him. Isn't it cute?!

I made him Strawberry Cheesecake pancakes for breakfast, and tonight we're splurging at Genghis Grill (although, hello, we have a coupon for buy one get one, hah!) and then ... to go see Phantom of the Opera. Apparently, it's the last time the Broadway touring show will be here, as soon it will stop touring. Sad. But ... glad we are able to go see it one last time. (Or, really, I should say, I see it one last time, because Brian has never seen the stage version, just the movie. Ooo ... he doesn't know what he's missing!)