Last week, I tried out to be a contestant on Jeopardy!. Again. As opposed to last time, where you get dressed up*, went to some fancy conference center, and walked away with a souvenir pen, this time was a measly little online test. It was still fun, but I'm sure 100 times more people took it which doesn't bode well for my odds*. They don't tell you how you did, win or lose, so I can't say for sure, but I'm fairly certain I won't be receiving The Call any time soon.
But that doesn't mean it wasn't a step towards my goal of eventually being a television trivia game show contestant. Not only did taking the test give me a better idea of what to expect for next time around, but in surfing around before hand, I came across this guide on How to Win on Jeopardy!. One thing that he recommends doing is, when watching, keep score of yourself using his handy system. It is a way to judge your relative competitiveness as well as keep track of the progress of your training. And while it is optimistic to think I will ever get to test the whole competitiveness thing and I'm not really training, I thought it would be a fun exercise for a week where I'm available to watch Jeopardy! every night*. The results: My score of $17,000 isn't up to his recommended threshold of a consistent $24,000 to have a shot. But who knows what the week will bring. I'll try to post my progress/stats in the comments at the end of the week.
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Monday January 23 2012 | File under: games |
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![]() Now you can go back and appreciate today's comic, esp. the detail with which the background greetings cards were made. "Wow, he drew each and everyone one of those cards. I bet that took forever," you say to yourself. Well, I told you a thousand times not to exaggerate. Today is the last day of voting over at Potluck Comics so I won't be playing the shill any more (although if I get another comic featured, I might tastefully advertise the fact). (This whole getting others to do your advertising for you via social networking, etc. really gets my goat. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if a post bubbles up out of it. If I win the big moneys, however, I might feel differently.) |
Thursday January 19 2012 | File under: comic |
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![]() Day 1 took me out for a nice walk in the woods in Bellingham. I covered many miles and smiled the whole way. I made it up to Whatcom Falls where snow in the woods was displayed straight out of a Robert Frost poem*. Day 2 was an adventure in getting from Bellingham to Anacortes on the bus when, unexpectly, Island Transit was shut down. Big props to Skagit Transit* for being there and doing a great job! When the roads are bad, people need public transportation more than ever. (The above picture is taken at Skagit Station) We were treated to even more snow for day 3, and despite the extra work, I'm as stoked as ever. I've got no place else to go, so let it snow, let it snow, let it snow*. (As a side note, in looking back through the archive, I'm realizing that just about every winter, I have a snow post, which must say something about my relationship with snow. Anyway, with that thought in mind, here's my archival self-portait). |
Wednesday January 18 2012 | File under: Anacortes, misc |
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![]() In a brief glance back at my comics folder, I sure have a lot of kitchen/food related comics. Hmmm....I wonder if that means something. I do like to eat! And to cook, at least for myself. Maybe not so much for big groups, at least anymore. But enough about that. Anyhoo, happy Friday! I hope you have a chuckle at poor Chef Bourchard*. Or maybe you'll get a little inspiration for your next salad! |
Thursday January 12 2012 | File under: comic |
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Monday January 9 2012 | File under: misc |
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![]() And despite all the last minute-ness, I'm pretty stoked on the comic. I had some great help on the slogans and caption. Writing comics is so much more fun with two. Anyway, I hope you like it, the first Friday Comic of the new year! Oh, and just because I make a comic about having proper grammar doesn't mean you have free reign to attack all my grammar mistakes. (Although I suppose I'm not opposed to a little editorial review) Oh2. If you haven't gotten a chance to click through to my entry into Potluck Comics, I'd love it if you did so. There's big moneys on the line and every click, like, and tweet makes a difference. |
Friday January 6 2012 | File under: comic |
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![]() In my seemingly never ending web wanderings, I came across a comic site that, instead of posting its own comics, features various other comics from across the web. Since this was somewhat in line with what Friday Comics were back in the day when I had all sorts of guest artists covering for my lack of artistic skill, I had to investigate further. It turns out that in addition to showcasing various comic artists' work, they have some incentive to submit: the most viewed/liked/shared comic can win big bucks! Needless to say, I submitted one, and much too my surprise, it was accepted! Now comes the favor part: go check it out. If you feel comfortable, share it with your friends, "like" it, or even tweet it. Any traffic, reposts, or social mentions it gets before Jan 17 gets me one step closer to the big bucks i.e. becoming a professional comic artist! And for your help, I promise you this: I will have a new comic up next week. No holiday excuses, no late posting, no "the deserted island I'm on doesn't have internet"s: there will be a new comic next week for sure...unless you don't go to Potluck Comics and check out my entry. Thanks!! |
Friday December 30 2011 | File under: misc |
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![]() Through some investigation and lots of dinking with my new not-a-phone apps, I've figure out how anyone can do MY crosswords on their smart phone! (I'm currently working under the assumption that no one does them because it isn't overly convenient to print up a PDF) Step one: download Shortyz to your smart device (I know it is available for Android but probably for iOS too). Or there might be other apps that support the .puz format ("Crosswords" for the iPhone/iPad is one). Step two: go to crossword section of the games page and look for the puz link (which currently only exists for the most recent two puzzles). Step three: click and start doing enjoying the wonder that is a homespun crossword. All crosswords are also available in an html format and a PDF format for printing, so no mobile device is necessary. So if you're a crossworder, dive in. And if you see something you like, let me know. The biggest thrill* of creating crosswords is knowing that people do and enjoy them. |
Wednesday December 28 2011 | File under: games |
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Disclaimer: I would say that this poem is inspired by true events rather than an actual true story. I've been spending lots of nights in a Toyota van* of late and it's been totally awesome. But the truth is, this actual night before Christmas, I'm in a bed. But the sentiment stands.
Twas the night before Christmas with just us in the van Parked any old place just cause we can Last night at the Cirque Lab before that the quarry When living in a van you can write your own story The world is your oyster with your bed close at hand The space's a bit cramped but the view is quite grand. Now back to the present this O Holy Night We're parked on a street that's lit up so bright The blue lights in bushes and white lights that twinkle Unfortunate inflatables that make my nose wrinkle So we draw the curtains and settled in to our nest To make good on the proverbial "long winter's rest" The rain hits the roof just loud enough to hear So I close my eyes and imagine reindeer Dasher and Dancer and Blitzen, the whole posse With Santa yelling "onward" and being quite bossy I don't think he'll find us but I'm not going to gripe Plus he'd have a fat chance of fitting through the tail pipe But I've got all I want as I scribble these words I've got health, I've got freedom, I've got Angry Birds My family's amazing, I've got many a friend To count all my blessing would go on without end So as I drift off to nodland, a smile's on my face Of anywhere I could be, this is the place. Matt Foley's* wrong in his motivational speech Van living's awesome, all you need's within reach So I reach out my arms and she snuggles in tight I whisper Happy Christmas to all and to all a good night |
Saturday December 24 2011 | File under: holidays, poetry |
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Friday December 23 2011 | File under: comic |
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