So, as is evident by the title of this blog, heidi and i are not exactly the get drunk on friday night type. (though we did enjoy watching drunk people while in europe) Sos instead of losing ourselves to the euphoria of lost inhibitions, we play board games.

It just so happens that we have family and friends just like us. Take these last couple of days for example. On thursday night the idea was proposed by a friend, via facebook, that a game of "Risk" should be organized. I happily and immediately agreed, and was later able to convince heidi that it wouldn't be so bad. So, that evening we all arrived at our friend Sahil's house and began a lively game.

Heidi couldn't remember the rules, and I was inwardly sure of my ensuing victory. 20 minutes later, however, I was eliminated. It was embarrassing. Heidi, contrariwise, soon began to amass troops at an alarming rate. Not long after that she controlled Africa and both North and South America. After Ian threw self-interest to the wind and went on a suicide mission, heidi was left in a compromised position. That being said, the game was over 10 minutes later with heidi's brutal slaying of Jason.

Yesterday, Friday, we played Risk again. This time with Heidi's family, and this time things got a little more interesting (for me at least). To make a long story very short, we played for nearly four hours. I quickly captured Australia, and after some brilliant general-ing and a quite impressive display of patience, launched a sneak attack on North America and one round later the game was over. I was the champion... of the world!

The moral of this rather dull lesson: Do not mess with us; we will beat your sorry ass to the ground. That is all. Now, anyone wanna play Monopoly? (Warning, I am a libertarian, and take my capitalism very seriously.)

-a

So as anyone who knows me has heard by now, I have a major man crush on Tiger Woods. The final major of the year started today, The PGA, and I am currently watching Tiger play. What Tiger Woods has done for the Golf world, for Sport world, and for The World in general cannot be overstated.

In an era of exuberant greed, a culture of violence and performance enhancing drugs, Tiger Woods stands as the reminder of what sport at its best can achieve. It is no hyperbole to suggest that TW stands alone in history as the greatest example of talent, drive, dominance, and humility found together within one person.

Due to his on-the-course dominance and unmatchable marketability, Tiger Woods has been the highest grossing athlete in the world for each of the last five years. What is not usually mentioned however is the number of charities and foundations which he has started. His flagship organization, The Tiger Woods Foundation, focuses on helping low-income and high-risk children.

In short, Tiger Woods has in the last 12 years, revitalized a struggling sport, reminded the world of what the combination of natural talent and insatiable drive can accomplish, and more than anything, showed us what it is to achieve greatness, both in performance, and in what it is to be a decent human being.

-a

So we went to Border's last night with a friend. Stimulating conversation, innocent browsing, when -- WABAM!! -- at the check out buying thirty dollars worth of stuff -- Shadow of the Wind and a little journal with birds on the cover that I guess were peeping at me to buy them or something. Andrew also found twenty-five dollars' worth of merchandise and bought Guns Germs and Steel and Dante's Inferno. As we walked out of the store, we cursed Border's and our lack of will to wait 'til we got home to order the books on line. But oh how I love it....... especially today reading our new books under the tree at the park :)

-h

Whenever I sit down in an attempt to assemble a list of my ten favorite books, I seem to become increasingly more distressed as each number passes, realizing that I only have 9, 8, 7, 6, 5.... more slots to fill. So I'll do my best, but know that no list of mine is ever perfect.

1) The Poisonwood Bible -- eloquently describes the repercussions of a hell-bent determination that one religion can be right for every one.

2) The History of Love -- the author seemed to be describing me in a light I've never seen myself.

3) The Feminine Mystique -- a revolutionary text that turned out to be much more peaceful than I'd ever heard it described to be.

4) Hundred Years of Solitude -- the drowsy, dreamlike passage of time gave me an education on history, and the description of the Banana Massacre opened my eyes to US involvement in Latin America.

5) The Princess Bride -- hilarious. When I recommended this book to "a friend", she asked if I knew where she could get a copy of the unabridged version. Hehe

6) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn -- recommended by one of my favorite teachers. The story of a girl growing up in difficult circumstances, with a happy ending!

7) All the Kings Men -- made me try, for the first time, to define myself not in terms of relationships with other people.

8) East of Eden -- not quite sure why this had such a big impact on me. Probably because I was afraid of being like Kathy.

9) I Capture the Castle -- made me want to be a writer and keep epic journals.

10) The Brothers Karamazov -- because it changed the way someone I love sees the world.

-h

So here is the first installment in a "Suggested Readings" list. To start it off here is my top 10 list; only the first three are in order.

1) The Brothers Karamazov, Fyoder Dostoevsky: Simply put, the best book I have ever read.

2)Law, Legislation, and Liberty, F.A. Hayek: If you want to blow your mind and look at politics and policy in a completely new way, read this book.

3) The Theological Foundations of the Mormon Religion, Sterling M. McMurrin: Mormonism for the thinking person. The full theological power of Mormonism unleashed. This is not your mothers sunday school lesson.

4)The Harry Potter Series, J.K. Rowling: The most entertaining books ever written. 'Nuff said.

5) The History of Love, Nicole Krauss: I dare you not to love it.

6) The Fountainhead, Ayn Rand: Rand at her finest. Philosophy is easier to stomach and purely brilliant writing.

7)East of Eden, John Steinbeck: A little tedious at first but culminates wonderfully.

8) Faust, Goethe: As much as I like Shakespeare, and I do so like my Shakespeare, I have to say that Faust comes out on top.

9) Hamlet, Shakespeare: Having just said what I did, Hamlet is still a masterpiece.

How should I wrap this up...

10) 1984, George Orwell: Guess I oughta put at least dystopian novel on here, and there simply isn't a better or more important one than 1984.

Yup so there is my humble list. I would highly recommend all of them. I wonder what Heidi's list will look like. Quite different I'm sure.

-a

For my inaugural post, I have but one thing to say. Thank everything that is good and holy that Sarah Palin no longer holds public office! That is all. Oh, and dessert is awesome.

-a

hehe, picking out a template is fun. we're the two butterflies. pretty and flighty. my sister says she's the three trees

-h

So, Heidi and I are starting this blog. We are not quite positive what we will write; but write we will. Seeing as how we live in two different states, we will be posting from different locations for the most part. So yeah.