Checkmates

It is unusual to actually deliver checkmate in a game, especially in a correspondence game where your opponent has days to reflect upon their move. I confess that I have walked into a mate before, but it I checkmated my last two opponents, which might be a record. Normally, one sees the checkmate coming and resigns.

21 and counting

Set a new personal record with 21 straight wins on the chess server, and promptly lost. Some high rated players, but a few bunnies too. I've joined the on-line ladder, and some of those players lost quickly. I have also won five of six in the latest open tournament with one game still undecided. I've recovered all of the ratings points I lost after Macy got sick.

Tamarine

They have brought back both the Wok Pho Noodles and the Tamarine Prawns. Life is very, very good to me.

Modern Art

We're going to be in NYC next month, and we'll probably go to the MOMA. This time, I want to understand what I'm looking at. So, in my usual fashion, I started reading about art. I started with the Realists, went on to the Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, Fauves, Cubists, Dadists and Surrealists only to hit a wall. I still fail to understand how random drippings can be called art. Sheri brought me a different book from the library, and I hope it does the trick for me.

A bridge too far

Yesterday, my dentist removed my old cracked bridge with what he called a "tapper." I was curious to see it, because it felt has though he had been hammering a chisel against my teeth. It was a small instrument, hooked on one end, with a movable weight. It reminded me of the time Scary Jim and I went to the torture museum in Sienna. Very ingenuous.

Tiger!

Yikes! I must say I did not see that coming. I had all but wrapped up the PGA championship with a ribbon that said "Tiger." I guess that's why they play the games.

Golf is strange

I shot a 47 on the front, which included 22 putts! I three putted four times! I was hitting the ball well, but was very frustrated. After making par on 9, I parred the first six holes on the back and shot a 39 for a combined 86. My ball striking was better than it has been in year. Why?

Back home

The first thing Sheri did when we got back home was to go get Maya. I think that there is a dog in our not too distant future.

Vancouver vacation

We're enjoying our weekend trip to Vancouver. The weather has turned for the worse, but we got to spend most of the day wandering around Stanley Park yesterday. Lovely dinner at "C" last night right on the water. We're going to Joe Krugler's house for dinner tonight and will fly back tomorrow.

Vancouver

We're off to Vancouver for a long weekend. Lots of friends of Sheri there.

Annual Trust Meeting

I participated in the annual meeting of the US Chess Trust via conference call today. I was able to get an audit finding of "material weakness" reduced to "significant deficiency", which may still sound bad, but was a major improvement. I was also able to get some alleged "assets" written off, so that our balance sheet reflects reality. I was commended, as Treasurer, for keeping our stock market losses to a minimum. The budget passed as I submitted it without modification. All in all, a good day's work.

Last day of Camp Claire

We all got new shirts courtesy of Claire.

Camp Claire

Our niece Claire is staying with us for a few days, and we call it "Camp Claire". We have t-shirts and everything. This morning she got the first of three soccer lessons from our goddaughter Tasha. We did this last year too, and the two girls are both growing up fast! Claire was able to drill much longer than last year, when she had to take repeated breaks. Tasha could not fit into last year's t-shirt!