Rain

It rained here for just about 20 minutes, which is typical for Utah.   Because we are on the second floor with what I think is a metal ventilation on the roof, the rain sounds loud even when it is  just a sprinkle.   The weather report is predicting intermittent rain for a few days.  Most people here are glad to see the rain because they think that we need the water.   I am hoping that it will wash all the allergens out of the air.

After work

Fwd: Chess Life

It is coming close to time for me to renew my US Chess Federation membership.  I usually do it for 3 years at a time which saves a few dollars.  Thirty five years ago I could have gotten a life membership for next to nothing in today's dollars, but now it seems a little late for that.

 

I find myself missing the magazine.  I can read the magazine online, but I never bother.   Part of me is thinking that if I spend the extra bucks to get the magazine that I will actually take the time to read it.

 

This is odd considering that everybody else in the world is moving toward e-readers.

Mucinex

Mucinex seems to help with a cold, but it is expensive.  I found an Alka-seltzer brand that had the same medicine in it but it was only $4 at Wal-Mart.

Picture in a Chinese restaurant

Allergy?

I get these moments where suddenly my nose starts running and I start sneezing.  I think that it is allergies.

 

Ketchup

In recent years I didn’t like the little ketchup packages very much because I wanted to be able to dip my fries into the ketchup.   Over the last few months I have noticed that a couple of restaurants, like Chick Fil-A, have .99 oz Heinz packages designed for dipping.   I also really like the waffle fries at Chick Fil-A. 

 

Gray Thursday returns

Last night I took back $199 of stuff to Wal-Mart that I had bought on the Gray Thursday, the day before Black Friday.   I checked their return policy, and it was still good for up to 15 days after Christmas.

 

I bought more than I needed on Gray Thursday because I wanted to evaluate a couple of cheap seven inch tablets, for which they charged me more than the advertised price on both.   I never opened the tablets because I also bought a Microsoft Surface for $200 on Black Friday.  I didn’t really need any more tablets since I already have an iPad 4, but I wanted to get my hands on some other tablets to see what they were like.

 

Match 3 in a row game iPhone/Android game.

At times I get somewhat addicted to The Lorax Truffalufa game.  I wasn’t thrilled with the movie, but the game is great fun.

 

I have heard that video games are a good way for older people to keep their mind active.

 

Commons "Mall"

I mistakenly thought that the Columbus, Indiana Commons Mall had reopened.  From what I could tell from the outside, it appears to have been converted to an office building with restaurants and shops all along the outside on the first floor.  I am not sure if there are shops on the inside, but it looked like there is still some sort of play area for kids.   The Sears store is still there in a separate building, and it appears to have never closed down.

 

This mall first opened over 41 years when I was just a kid.  I have fond memories of going to that mall.

Introducing Bengal cat to a new kitten for first time

This is a series of about 6 videos that I like.

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://youtu.be/EhRuG0D-WsU

What to do if you get in an accident.

Today I interviewed with a police officer over an accident that happened in March where someone rear ended me and then took off.  The license plate number that I was able to recall at the time of the accident might not have been valid according to the police.     If you get in an accident, the first thing you should do is use your camera phone to take pictures.

On Monday I had a complete bone scan, due to problems with my shoulder.

Today I had a full body bone scan

Re: Capitalism at its finest. Black Thursday sale at Wal-Mart. 45 minutes in the checkout line.

>On Fri, Nov 29, 2013 at 8:17 AM, Mardawna Grover  wrote:

>Let me guess you went for the $98 42 in flat screen tv???

A friend was considering having me get one for him, but decided not to.  I didn't particularly want one since I use my computer as my TV.

Bachelor Pad

Capitalism at its finest. Black Thursday sale at Wal-Mart. 45 minutes in the checkout line.

Hyperion. One of my favorite books.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperion_Cantos

Weather this morning in Salt Lake City

Geek lunch

From: Trout, Larry

 

At 11:20 I planned on joining you at 11:30, but have been too busy at my and others cubes.

Sorry.

 

From: Coffey, John

 

Next week then.   We had a big discussion about the newly discovered distant galaxy, origin of the universe, and the possibility of parallel evolution.  My theory is that life on other worlds would evolve into familiar patterns.   We also talked about science fiction stories and the possibility of mechanical life prevailing.

Best wishes,

John Coffey

 

Announcing a new chess club: Sugar House Chess Club

Club:   Sugar House Chess Club  (Replacement for the now defunct Coffee Club.)

Information:  All Skill Levels Welcome!

Location:  Chick-fil-A, 1206 East 2100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84106

Web page:  http://www.entertainmentjourney.com/  

Time:  Meets Tuesday nights from 6:30 to 10 PM.

--
Best wishes,

John Coffey

http://www.entertainmentjourney.com

University of Utah Chess Club going strong

The Fall of Hyperion

Just read Hyperion and and its second part: Fall of Hyperion (audio books). This is one of the most deeply rich science fiction books I have ever read.

Quick note on studying chess tactics

Kevin,

 

Lately I have been studying tactics pretty heavy.  I am most likely averaging at least an hour a day, although much of that time has been on the weekend.

 

I have been mostly focused on the chess tactics trainer because Josh said that he made it to 2000.   On the iPhone, after much effort I made it up to the 2025.   I am still in the 1900’s on the iPad but working on it.

 

I find that my head is swimming with tactics, especially the kinds of positions where you would not suspect that a tactic existed.   I dream about tactics, which is a good thing.   My goal here is to get to 2100 at tactics within months, and maybe 2200 at tactics in a year or two.

 

I find that if I focus on one thing, that I can make big advances in that one thing before moving onto something else.  For example, I was way behind on my goals on the tactics on my website, but after days of repetition I was somewhat surprised to make my goals.

 

I have seen some improvement in my results and my rating.

Best wishes,

John Coffey

 

2011 Utah Team Chess Championship

And to think the other day I left the gas cap off.

We were at the Franklin Covey building temporarily for a year. The views were great.

Cason Nuss soccer game Russiaville Indiana Western High school 2013-09-04

My Nephew, Carson Nuss

Geneva Belding, Bill Hannah, Paul Belding outside Olive Garden, Clarksville Indiana