Entry for May 29, 2009

Don’t look down on these little guys…

I’ve decided to use binder clips for my Journeys of Paul board game… not only do these guys stand upright, pretty well… they can also carry tokens (and still stand upright)… Oh ho, they are cheap too…

Plus they come in 5 colours… black, green, yellow, pink and blue. Now I just need one more colour, as Journeys of Paul can have up to 6 players.

C’mon… somebody play with me… dying to try it out!!

Entry for May 28, 2009

It’s really hot in KL… Today I looked into my wardrobe and picked out a blouse. I knew it was a bad choice the moment I selected it because this particular one is not weather-friendly. You feel hot on hot days and cold on cold days. But I hadn’t worn it in a while… SO I resolved to wear it.

And here I am sitting in the office, sweating like mango out from the fridge.

I contemplated on adding ice to my Milo this morning… just to cool down… but I figured, maybe sweating is good once in a while.

After all, when I was in the plant, it was sweat sweat sweat for 9 hours.

So what have I been up to? Journeys of Paul…

Say that again?

Well, I recently found out about this Christian board game (strategy-based too!) and since I can’t find it in the stores here, I decided to fashion one out of whatever resources I have. It’s pretty ingenious. I just designed and printed out the cards. The rule book which I downloaded online has cited the source of the map and I followed the link to the source – got the original map, and added in the cities and grid… Although, I made a few mistakes with the grid, which looks quite messy now, I think I’m almost there.

Then I went to Mydin to buy colourful binder clips. You know, the sort that has “handles” which you can fold. I figured they can stand up and can “carry” tokens… SO PERFECT!!!

Now I just need friends to play with… I’ll try playing solitaire version today then only go on to multi-player when my friends are available…

YAYAYAYAYAY!

Entry for November 10, 2008

MONOPOLY revisited! I love this game… After a bout of MBA exams, I needed board game therapy. Since I had no one to play Risk with, I decided Monopoly it was.

Reasons why I did that:

1. The view from my dining table is lovely, and what better way to appreciate it than to sit there for hours with a game of Monopoly in session.
2. I love rolling dice and buying property (plus charging rent!)
3. I was curious to rediscover what bits of Monopoly I love.

Don’t know how you guys play it, but in order for Monopoly to be fun, you MUST apply the following rules:

1. The Bank auctions property when a player lands there but refuses or can’t afford to buy it. In fact, that player may bid in the auction – at a low price if other players are broke. Muahahaha!
2. Build lots of houses but don’t build hotels so fast. Did you know that the rules say when the green little houses run out, other players have to wait for you to build hotels (so that the Bank has houses to sell)?
3. Buy Mortgaged property but don’t forget 10% goes to the Bank.
4. Going to Jail is great if you’re broke.
5. Observe which are the popular landing spots. Every game has them. Build lots of houses there.
6. Always aim for the whole “street” – all the properties on the same side of the board.
7. Don’t hesitate to buy railways and utilities.
8. Try to avoid landing in Free Parking – the most useless square on the board.
9. Keep lots of small change, spend the big notes, so that other players think you’re broke.
10. Don’t accept IOU notes, watch other players mortgage their properties.

Entry for March 06, 2008

What’s with me and B&W photos lately?

Kamchatka is one of the territories found on a Risk board. I think this must be the 3rd or4th time I am blogging about Risk. It is truly an addictive game which spices up the evening if you’re with other Risk enthusiats.

I’m using my brain a lot lately. Partly because I’ve been strategizing in my Risk episodes and also have had a lot to think about at work. Of course, it also has to do with the upcoming English Service Family Day!!

That’s right. English Service Family Day will be held on 1st May and I’m part of the organizing team…

Wish to be involved in planning of the games, but it’s ok… I have to oversee the event, so will just oversee lar.

I’m someone who really loves events which promotes teambuilding, group dynamics and synergy. In a nutshell, I don’t want events to just be fun… I expect and set targets so that the events can build unity and understanding, friendship and wholesomeness. Lately, I’m adding one more ingredient to my recipe… That is the gospel.

Yes… this English Service Family Day shall be an opportunity for believers to reach out to loved ones who have yet to know Christ personally.

 

Entry for January 28, 2008

If the Lord permits, Benny and I along with our TnT buddies plan to visit Lawrence of Tibet. hehehe… ok… Lawrence in Tibet. I have been reading up on Tibet and have gained much from googling.

There’s too much to elaborate on, but it’s fascinating to see the game Risk in full action with regards to Tibet. (Risk is the famous game of World Domination)

See, South Tibet sits on territory under dispute of ownership by both India and China – Arunachal Pradesh aka Aksai Chin. This 120,000 km2 land sits between Pangong Lake and Karakoram Pass, which sort of reminds me of the Golden Triangle land mass unclaimed by Burma, Laos and Thailand. Only in this case, British-controlled India and Communist China are in serious conflict over this region.

In 1962, the Sino-Indian War broke out when Jawaharlal Nehru offered refuge to the Dalai Lama on humanitarian grounds. Tibet had failed in its attempt to fight off China’s control but this, according to China was none of India’s business. It was an internal affair.

Political analysts discovered something else, which brings Risk into the picture.

The war may have been India’s chance of testing possibility of Soviet alliance. It was also an opportunity for the US to collaborate with India (a win-win situation for both) to further isolate Communist China. It was interesting especially to note that clashes broke out at Dhola simultaneously with the US blockade in Cuba (read up on the Cuban Missile Crisis where Soviet-controlled missiles were installed in Cuba, aimed at Coastal US) Therefore, China’s fears were not unfounded.

Fascinating… this world domination game…