Category: GameTime

Braving the Cold

Posted on by Markman
Tut’s 25-foot tall guardian visits Boston City Hall!

I went and got a much needed haircut early this morning. I find early Friday mornings are the best time to go to this particular barbershop because it isn’t too busy and I can get in and out really quick. Also, I’ve noticed that barbershops (or most of them) are all pretty hip these days with young men doing the work. Not the barbershop scene I remember growing up as a kid.

Carson meanwhile continues to amaze. He really likes this fake mouse at the end of a string toy, so we play a lot with him using it as it seems to be his favorite. He’s like a dog. He actually will play fetch with it. Apparently this morning while I was the barbershop he took the mouse, carried it all the way up the stairs into the bedroom, and dropped in in the bed next to LD! What a character this cat is!

Work is work. Trying to find pieces here and there. What’s really annoying is that we noticed a job posting in the company looking for the work that I am totally qualified and AM doing! But for some wacko reason I can’t work with them unless I switch into their group (but they’d essentially have to ‘hire’ me even though I already work at the company – actually it makes no sense). We’ll see if they want to pop on me, although it’s dumb to me that the resources are already there but do to most likely financial setups we can’t just work together. The fact that I haven’t heard anything from them doesn’t make me feel confident but I’ll give it some time and see.

This afternoon I decided to brave the cold and check out the big Tut statue down at Boston city hall, since it’s only there for a few more days and I’m not sure I’d get another opportunity to see this thing. Like I said before, I have a thing for ancient Egyptian stuff.

Coldest day of the season with wind chill factor, no problem!

Ended up going to a restaurant for an early dinner, Venezia’s down by the Boston/Quincy waterfront. Hadn’t done that in quite some time, it was nice.

Also as for gametime these days:

Goat in the Cave – help the goat survive and get out. I was able to complete all the levels.

As for Tasty Jewel looks like Level 92 is far as I’m going to get. I think I’ve annoyed LD playing this game long enough now.

Full Circle is a good puzzle game, but alas, I cannot for the life of me seem to be able to solve level 6. There are 7 levels total. When I get trapped like this it makes me nuts! I must solve the puzzle! But how?

“Ula” Momento

Posted on by Markman

Visited a Little Library down in JP while doing an appointment and happened to pick up some new books for my reading agenda. Not sure how engaged I will be or if I like them or not but I’m giving them a chance:

  • Einstein’s Relativity and the Quantum Revolution: Modern Physics for Non-Scientists by Prof. Richard Wolfson (Cosmic!)
  • Misogynies by Joan Smith (review)
  • Talking as Fast as I can by Lauren Graham (my celebrity crush!)

Meanwhile I’m still getting through The Power Broker. Funny how times change – back then, expressways and thruways were all the rage whereas now they are seem as a detriment. It all depends on the time you live in I suppose. Values change.

Also had breakfast at a place called Ula which was pretty good and a hip sort of a place.

Gametime! Currently playing Tasty Jewel. It’s one of those match-3 type games but gets really interesting in the later levels.

I bought a new mailbox to replace the one out front. The door has rusted off it’s hinges and although I could repair it I think it’ll be nice to have a new one. I plan on installing it tomorrow.

Anticipation

Posted on by Markman

After going to some doctor appointment visits, I went ahead over to the pet store to get some new gravel, some treats, a blanket, and some pet-safe ice melt in preparation for any newcomers to the family that might hopefully find a new home here tomorrow! I had forgotten how heavy those 40 pound gravel containers can be – it’s been a while since I had to lug those around, but to be honest, I do feel it’s time to welcome a new pet into our lives. I also brought up some stuff from storage that will be getting re-used.

In my spare time I’ve been playing Ninja Rian, which has me pulling my hair out every time I perish, but it is a fun platformer. As for TV shows I had been watching, I caught the 5-episode Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover on CW, which deals with all their DC superheroes and merging all the different universes into one. If you’re familiar with the comic from the 1980s you’ll understand, (hmmm I actually have all those original issues in storage – wonder if they have any good value? At least a few hundred dollars at this point) and I’m liking it so far – part 2 being the best of the first three to me. That was also the inspiration for me way back to designate my two main places of habitation as Earth-1 and Earth-2! 🙂

I had to order some Panasonic rechargeable batteries for my home phone back at Earth-1. I had forgot that you can’t just swap in regular AAAs into the phone as it requires these kinds of batteries. I do have to say, the ones I have in there lasted a hell of a long time. Meanwhile, over at Earth-2 I had noticed one of the lighted reindeers out front wasn’t turning his head anymore. I went out there and investigated. Somehow the connection rod from the motor to the link on the neck had gotten free. Just putting it back together was all it took to make it work again. I went ahead and pulled to trigger on those Mathis tickets for my mom – early xmas gift – 5th row!

What a Week

Posted on by Markman
Newport, RI

Not the greatest week this week, but things appear to be looking up! Between spending a few days at the hospital visiting, losing an important piece of jewelry, and just being a stress bag all around. But like I said – things are looking up – found the jewelry this morning (my brain is just mush these days), and back home getting back to normalcy. Still have some worries – work sucks, and some major dental work most likely coming up again but c’est la vie.

Some gametime for fun that’s keeping me occupied at times:

  • Neon Dash – a platformer where you have to control a block over obstacles.
  • Just one chance – haven’t beaten this one yet. Thing is with this you only get one chance – if you die, you have to wait 24 hours to try again.
  • Conveyor mayhem – a puzzle game where you move crates onto their targets. Took me a few to beat all 22 levels.
  • Crazy Dungeon – not too hard, move your guy around the board but don’t get caught by the nasties.
  • Huggernaut – grapple around to beat the levels.

Other minor things – updated to site to WP 5.3. Seems to have gone well, although I notice the photo captions aren’t centered? Strange. Update: Never mind, appears to actually be that way – there’s some CSS code that fixes it temporally which I’ve used on the last few posts. One of somewhat related note, I’ve had this domain since 2001 – today is the anniversary of when hatchetation.com first went live! It’s all grown up now. You can catch up some older versions of the site through snapshots in time at the Wayback Machine. I wish I could find the even earlier versions back from Geocities but I think it’s on some zipdisk that I can no longer read.

Going to roast some carrots this afternoon to bring over to some friends tonight who are hosting a get together, should be fun. Speaking of fun, check out this video of a fully restored first coin operated jukebox. Must be priceless! It doesn’t play records – it plays Edison cylinder rolls!

Relay

Posted on by Markman

Relay. This game is amazing. I was finally able to get to the bonus last level (22) after about a week and a half, although I couldn’t beat it. Really makes you think! I’m looking forward to more of what this team can create.

Trying the Impossible

Posted on by Markman

Well, I jumped on the bandwagon for this one and this afternoon partook in the trying out of an Impossible Whopper at Burger King. I had heard of this thing for about a week now so I was curious to try it myself and see just how it is. And you know what? I actually liked it. It tasted just like a regular whopper to me. It is more expensive and the patty is plant based meat substitute. So I give it a thumbs up. I would get it again.

Sean the Pumpkin Vine is really starting get long – will we get a real pumpkin out of it? Fingers crossed! We did get the flowers already. Also been watching the 90210 reboot. It’s actually not really a reboot, but a story of the actors from the show getting together to do a reboot of the show. Pretty Meta – it’s actually not bad, I find I’m kinda digging it. I never saw the originals anyway.

Got a new puzzle game to rack my brain on: Landfill. I like it, but I do find it challenging.

Sunday Chores and a Side of Rock

Posted on by Markman
Natalie Joly and the Reckless Hearts, Norwood, 7/28/2019

The bedroom is finished! The area rug has finally been laid down, the artwork is up on the walls, the new shades are in the windows, and it’s all good. Even went to the hardware store yesterday to get some new knobs for the nightstands that match the decor of the room better and put those on. While there I also obtained a bolt and a nut I needed to help repair the mower when the piece fell out last week, but it’s all good now. At some point I plan on buying a new mower with some accouterments and features that I currently do not have but that will assist moving forward, but for now these touch ups will do. We also got a bigger planter for Sean the pumpkin plant who is growing more everyday. He’s kind of an experiment at this point, so we’ll see what happens to him as the days progress.

Went out to the grocery store and bought some things that we ended up grilling for lunch. It was pretty hot out but overall not too bad – I didn’t mind it, and it actually came out pretty good. Will need to refill the tank real soon though, as it’s quickly getting to empty. Also competed food prep for the week early, which was a bonus.

I little while back I sent out one of my photos to be printed on glass, and that also arrived yesterday. For some reason, this picture I just like. It has a lot of muted greens in it which is not something I usually have in my photos – I don’t know – I just liked it. An impulse buy to be sure, but when my pics are printed and framed, I feel they really look better. Also blown up like this you can actually see the people in the top of the lighthouse where the lens is because they were doing tours that day.

Later in the early evening the town was having a free BBQ and concert on the Town Common, which we attended, at least for a little while – to take in some sights and hear some music. I had seen this musician there last year – she’s really good.

Here’s a fun puzzle game I’ve been playing around with this week: Blockon. It starts out pretty easy but I’m finding the later levels extremely challenging.

Cape Vacation 2019 Day 01

Posted on by Markman
A sunset shot along Paine’s Creek – July 12, 2019

Finally on the Cape for a week to start a week of summer vacation – it’s been a long time in coming, believe me. The day started off with tying up some work items, taking LD to a chiro appointment, and doing some other quick errands, but then we were off!

The first stop which we like to do is grab lunch in Sandwich at a place called Fisherman’s View – which sits right along the Cape Cod Canal.

The Sagamore Bridge in the distance along the Cape Cod Canal.

I had the beer batted cod sandwich which was very good and LD had a lobster knuckle sandwich which looked and tasted amazing. I give that place two thumbs up – food’s great and has some spectacular views. Like I said, it sits along the canal and abuts the Sandwich Marina and park, which the town did a wonderful job of making look pretty sweet. Worth a visit if you’re ever down that way – it’s also not far from the Dan’l Webster, so if you’re familiar with that part of town you’re almost there.

After a bit more driving we arrived at out destination for the week. It’s in the same complex that we go to almost every year, but this time around we had to choose a different unit due to a friend wanting the use the main unit (long story). We’ve never been over on this side of the complex, but I find that I actually like it – it’s more secluded and it’s actually very cute! So, pleasantly surprised on that note. It also seems a little bigger but that could just be the way it’s laid out.

We decided to hit the grocery store up to get some food, but honestly, mostly snacks for the week. Once that was done we decided to catch some sunset down over by Paine’s Creek – a very scenic spot if you ask me – I got some great shots from there last year as well. However, it was very buggy so I didn’t stay out there too too long. I think I got some good shots though considering. Also, there was a looming cloud blocking the sun a bit toward the end so that made ending a little early a simple decision. However, we weren’t totally done yet – we headed over to Nauset Beach (on the ocean side) as night was approaching to listen to some crashing waves in the darkness. We wrapped it up with a trip to the Chocolate Sparrow and downed some delicious hot chocolates. All in all, a great day for day number one!

Gametime: https://robie.itch.io/on-your-marks

Uhmmm…what?

Posted on by Markman

Well back from the bike ride! Some observations though, who put this ride together? I realized that there didn’t seem to be any theme to this ride. And also, who picked the route? It happened to go up to the highest hill in town – so steep I had to walk my bike up. Now I remember why I like the Cambridge ones better. Speaking of the bike, it performed great, so I’m very happy with that. Well anyway, there were photos taken – maybe I’ll be in one looking all haggard. We’ll see.

Currently on the reading docket: Maybe You Should Talk to Someone: A Therapist, Her Therapist, and Our Lives Revealed. I’ve heard some good things about this book – hoping it’ll be an interesting read.

Also, not a weekend goes by that we don’t take a visit to Home Depot of Lowes for something. In the meantime if you’re looking for a good game try Blackened. It’s sort of like Sokoban but different. It took me a while to solve all the levels but I found them enjoyable.