My Blog Post for Aug19, 2010... Again!

This is the 2nd time I have written this post.  The 1st one vanished somewhere in cyberspace.  Oh, I'm sure it'll show up 30 years from now when I would rather it didn't, nonetheless, after having spent roughly 15 minutes on it... it has vanished.  So without further ado...  once again:

To all who happen to cross paths with this blog entry:  Greetings! from Boise, Idaho!

Since my 1st blog post last week, my non-chess activities have included online Scrabble with a few friends on Facebook. As it turns out, I enjoy getting my butt kicked in Scrabble also, not just chess.  Other than Scrabble & chess I have just been working, although I try to keep a book in front of my face whenever I can.  Not too long ago I finished the autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.  It was there that I read his essay, 'The Morals of Chess,' a short little blurb about what he liked about the game.  If you haven't read it, I recommend it.  It literally takes 5 minutes to read & it might give you a fresh perspective on this awesome game.  If you 'google' it, you'll have access to half a dozen links to it.  Right now I am reading a biography of George Washington called 'The Indispensable Man' by Flexner.  I'm not a big television guy, in fact I don't even own one.  However, I do like 'South Park' & 'Futurama,' both of which I watch online.  I was following 'Lost,' but now that the series finale has come & gone that is no longer an issue.  I'm not too crazy with how that ended.

Anyhow...  In the chess world.  I joined a tournament this past week & because of it, I think I am slowly starting to improve.  Oh, don't worry!  I have no doubt that just about anyone could easily put me through a meat grinder; but I think my moves are becoming more thoughtful, or wiser, or something.  My stupid moves are becoming fewer & fewer; although I am still making them.  Nonetheless, it has been a lot of fun playing.  I'm almost tempted to upgrade my 'basic' membership if for no other reason than to be able to play multiple tournaments at once.

Anyway...  feel free to challenge me to a game.  Just be aware that I'm not all that interested in 'hit & run chess.'  If you challenge me, be willing to slow down enough to at least say 'hi.'  I'll probably even say 'Good Game,' after you stomp me into the dirt.   Until next time, God bless & we'll see you on the checkerboard.  May your every move be a 'checkmate' (unless you're playing me).