Day 1 of the US Open!! Something interesting happened in the morning. I was getting my coffee, and saw G.I. Joel in front of me. While getting sugar and cream for the coffee, he turned to me and actually called me by my name!! I was stunned. How did he know me? I am in Division 6! (Later, he told me he checks out all tournament results. He actually recognizes my face!)
I am player #121, due to my last name. And incidently, we have 114 players in Division 6, as some got bumped up into Division 5 and some no-shows.
Game 1 - Opponent: Edna Perry, rated 470.
Edna is a sweet old lady, who just recently started in the tournament scene. Brave soul, to take part in the US Open. I won 466-123, a whopping +343 spread! This puts me in #1 position after round 1! I feel sorry for her though. I started off with a bingo 'WAGERED'. Turn 6, I bingoed with 'sUI(C)IDES'. I challenged off her bingo, 'EnVIOUS' because she hooked off the U to a B, making BU. So sorry....
Game 2 - Opponent: Dan Doerrfeld, rated 500.
Dan is a young teenage kid, playing in the tournament because his grand-dad is playing too and had wanted him to take part. Again, a real rookie in tournaments, this being his second ever tournament. I bingoed 'LAzIEST' early, and scored another 75 points playing QAId at L1 down, hooking I to VIED at N2. I won 396-319, with a spread of +77. With a cumulative spread of +420, I still stand at #1. Pole position!
Game 3 - Opponent: Paul Rickhoff, rated 644.
Man, my luck turned for the worse. I started, and drew this lousy rack, BDHIUUV. I traded BDOUUV, and got back ADGUW!!! Damn it, got a third U, and the D!!! Throughout the game, I kept getting the I's. Loss 316-411. Lose my pole position.... ah well.
Game 4 - Opponent: Cecille Betts, rated 665.
Tough game! Cecille is legally blind, and was entitled to an additional 5 minutes. And she is a tough one too! Was pretty close through the game. She bingoed with double blanks, REsIGNs. However, I was able to pull through at the end game, and won 326-295, without any bingoes to reply. Phew....
After game 4, I dropped to 17th position.
Game 5 - Opponent: Ruth Brower, rated 771.
No bingoes again, but I won 388-295. Ruth managed to bingo with '(C)ENSURES'.
Game 6 - Opponent: Joyce Stock, rated 795.
Sigh... my second loss here. 306-367. She managed to block 3 of my bingoes by playing exactly where I needed. She blocked 'W(I)TCHIER', UNWRITE#(OSW only), and OUtRI(D)ER. My last rack was 'BEARING', with no place to go... Sigh... She even bingoed on her first move, 'DECLiN(E)D'.
Game 7 - Opponent: Don Ball, rated 868.
Don hails from Toronto, Canada. I played well on this one. Don was fishing for a bingo early on, so I tried to score as much as possible. He tried '(R)AIdABLE', which I challenged off, and he tried again with '(R)AIsABLE' which I challenged but it was good. I lost a turn and he led for the first time 227-229. However, I caught up and bingoed later with 'HALTERS' to pull ahead and win 476-317.
I ended the first day with a 5 wins - 2 losses, and a healthy 547 spread, the highest amongst the 5-2s. This placed me in the 13th spot. Tomorrow, I will be playing against opponents closer to my rating. It'll be tough, but I hope to keep to the top 15, if possible.
Saturday, August 05, 2006
On to US Open 2006!!
Sorry, have not blogged for a while. I am now writing from the Arizona Biltmore, a luxury hotel in Phoenix Arizona designed by the famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright. I am participating in the Scrabble US Open 2006!! It is held in this hotel.
For the past months, up till 1st July, I was trying hard to hit the 1000 mark in US ratings... unfortunately, I failed. I got real close too! I hit 999!!! Damn it! Now, I have to play in the lowest division, Division 6, for those rated below 1000.
Anyway, I am looking forward to this tournament. This will give me a taste of what level I really am. Most of the tournaments I have took part so far in the US were small ones, and with 6 games, luck played a big part.
So far, I have met Sam Kantimathi, whom I played against (and lost) in Brands Kings Cup 2005. I have met Jason Katz-Brown, whom I had played a friendly game against in Osaka Japan when we were both visiting a local Scrabble club (he forgot who I am though). I have met Carol of the Carol & Ravi fame, the creators of Lexpert. I have also come across the famous Marlon Hill, the Division 1 player who ranted and raved in movie/documentary 'Word Wars: Tiles and Tribulations in the Scrabble Circuit'. Oh, and I just watched another Scrabble documentary called Scrabylon last night, which featured our very own Malaysian, Ganesh.
Looking forward to tomorrow!! Will update as I go along.
May the blanks and 'S' flow my way....
OM RETINA OM SATIRE OM SATINE
OM RETINA OM SATIRE OM SATINE
OM RETINA OM SATIRE OM SATINE
OM RETINA OM SATIRE OM SATINE
For the past months, up till 1st July, I was trying hard to hit the 1000 mark in US ratings... unfortunately, I failed. I got real close too! I hit 999!!! Damn it! Now, I have to play in the lowest division, Division 6, for those rated below 1000.
Anyway, I am looking forward to this tournament. This will give me a taste of what level I really am. Most of the tournaments I have took part so far in the US were small ones, and with 6 games, luck played a big part.
So far, I have met Sam Kantimathi, whom I played against (and lost) in Brands Kings Cup 2005. I have met Jason Katz-Brown, whom I had played a friendly game against in Osaka Japan when we were both visiting a local Scrabble club (he forgot who I am though). I have met Carol of the Carol & Ravi fame, the creators of Lexpert. I have also come across the famous Marlon Hill, the Division 1 player who ranted and raved in movie/documentary 'Word Wars: Tiles and Tribulations in the Scrabble Circuit'. Oh, and I just watched another Scrabble documentary called Scrabylon last night, which featured our very own Malaysian, Ganesh.
Looking forward to tomorrow!! Will update as I go along.
May the blanks and 'S' flow my way....
OM RETINA OM SATIRE OM SATINE
OM RETINA OM SATIRE OM SATINE
OM RETINA OM SATIRE OM SATINE
OM RETINA OM SATIRE OM SATINE
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Implicit Associations Test
In the highly 'politically-correct' world in the US, we have many trainings here for 'diversity' and 'inclusiveness' issues. My firm does this, not just for compliance with regulations, but also the management recognizes that in our evolving world, our workplace IS becoming more diverse, especially in the melting pot of California.
At the latest firm-sponsored training I attended, Dr. Tony Greenwald, the creator of the Implicit Associations Tests (IATs) spoke to us. Check out the Harvard website to do the IATs!! The results may surprise you.
=================================================================================
Quoted from website:
It is well known that people don't always 'speak their minds', and it is suspected that people don't always 'know their minds'. Understanding such divergences is important to scientific psychology.
This web site presents a method that demonstrates the conscious-unconscious divergences much more convincingly than has been possible with previous methods. This new method is called the Implicit Association Test, or IAT for short.
=================================================================================
At the latest firm-sponsored training I attended, Dr. Tony Greenwald, the creator of the Implicit Associations Tests (IATs) spoke to us. Check out the Harvard website to do the IATs!! The results may surprise you.
=================================================================================
Quoted from website:
It is well known that people don't always 'speak their minds', and it is suspected that people don't always 'know their minds'. Understanding such divergences is important to scientific psychology.
This web site presents a method that demonstrates the conscious-unconscious divergences much more convincingly than has been possible with previous methods. This new method is called the Implicit Association Test, or IAT for short.
=================================================================================
Metrosexual experiences
Hmm, have been trying new experiences recently...
I got a haircut on Monday. Back in KL, it was always Toni & Guy for me, since I've got cousins working there. In the US, it was a challenge to find a suitable place, since I did not want to go to a quick-chop-shop like Super*Cuts or something. Too spoilt for too long.
Found this place online called American Male! Well, this is actually my 3rd visit there, and given that I have been here for about 6 months now. Generally, my hair has been too long for too long. Making up in advance for the inevitable genetically-programmed thinning pate in the future.
I had signed up for the 'Quality Grooming Experience'
From their 'menu':
Custom Hair Services
Men’s Quality Grooming Experience ........................$49
Series of 5 QGEs’ (Save $20) ..................................$225
Our hair services are performed by master hair stylist & colorists.
Included in your 45 minute custom haircut are several free grooming
treatments to ensure you leave looking and feeling GREAT!
• Energizing Shampoo • Warm Paraffin Hand Dip • Mini Face Massage
• Warm Towel Face Wrap • Mini Scalp Massage • Haircut
• Re-Shampoo • Conditioning • Splash • Styling
Eh, I know, not cheap if converted to RM, but in US$ terms, it's alright, I think. RM for US$, I pay more back in KL!
Ever tried a paraffin hand dip? Well, I tried it here! Interesting, dipping your hands 5-6 times into a warm liquid wax container and have it dry up and peeled off later. Supposed to 'smooth' the hands. Nice feelings, but not sure if it really works. The mini face massage is ok, given that they use massage oil, which adds to my already oily face. The warm towel face-wrap is great though. Hard to keep awake with that on! The haircut is quite good as they only use the electric trimmers towards the end of the session to clean up. I dislike those chop-shops that uses the trimmer for most of the cutting.
Oh, we just had a firm-sponsored training event, after which we had social activities. Real fun! All free! Had my shoes shined, got a back massage, played Daytona with colleagues, ate loads of fresh oysters and cocktail jumbo shrimps, and guess what? I made some sterling silver jewelry for Wan (to score brownie points, you know?) AND for the first time in my life, got a manicure!! How about that? Apparently, the manicurists told me that for this particular event, HALF of those in line were MEN!!!
Getting too vain here, people....
I got a haircut on Monday. Back in KL, it was always Toni & Guy for me, since I've got cousins working there. In the US, it was a challenge to find a suitable place, since I did not want to go to a quick-chop-shop like Super*Cuts or something. Too spoilt for too long.
Found this place online called American Male! Well, this is actually my 3rd visit there, and given that I have been here for about 6 months now. Generally, my hair has been too long for too long. Making up in advance for the inevitable genetically-programmed thinning pate in the future.
I had signed up for the 'Quality Grooming Experience'
From their 'menu':
Custom Hair Services
Men’s Quality Grooming Experience ........................$49
Series of 5 QGEs’ (Save $20) ..................................$225
Our hair services are performed by master hair stylist & colorists.
Included in your 45 minute custom haircut are several free grooming
treatments to ensure you leave looking and feeling GREAT!
• Energizing Shampoo • Warm Paraffin Hand Dip • Mini Face Massage
• Warm Towel Face Wrap • Mini Scalp Massage • Haircut
• Re-Shampoo • Conditioning • Splash • Styling
Eh, I know, not cheap if converted to RM, but in US$ terms, it's alright, I think. RM for US$, I pay more back in KL!
Ever tried a paraffin hand dip? Well, I tried it here! Interesting, dipping your hands 5-6 times into a warm liquid wax container and have it dry up and peeled off later. Supposed to 'smooth' the hands. Nice feelings, but not sure if it really works. The mini face massage is ok, given that they use massage oil, which adds to my already oily face. The warm towel face-wrap is great though. Hard to keep awake with that on! The haircut is quite good as they only use the electric trimmers towards the end of the session to clean up. I dislike those chop-shops that uses the trimmer for most of the cutting.
Oh, we just had a firm-sponsored training event, after which we had social activities. Real fun! All free! Had my shoes shined, got a back massage, played Daytona with colleagues, ate loads of fresh oysters and cocktail jumbo shrimps, and guess what? I made some sterling silver jewelry for Wan (to score brownie points, you know?) AND for the first time in my life, got a manicure!! How about that? Apparently, the manicurists told me that for this particular event, HALF of those in line were MEN!!!
Getting too vain here, people....
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Jinxed
I've met my jinx. A real life jinx...
Ever got one of those moments? I've met mine in Scrabble. Purple hair, purple glasses, full of hand and ankle bangles, one bad attitude, rude and irritating, all packaged into a old lady who will look just right as one of Macbeth's witches brewing their potion.....
Yes, I've met my Scrabble jinx. When I am paired to play, I feel drained. Drained of enthusiasm. If you see the tiles I get, you'll know why... Just lost another game this weekend to her. My last three tiles? I, I and I....
Ever got one of those moments? I've met mine in Scrabble. Purple hair, purple glasses, full of hand and ankle bangles, one bad attitude, rude and irritating, all packaged into a old lady who will look just right as one of Macbeth's witches brewing their potion.....
Yes, I've met my Scrabble jinx. When I am paired to play, I feel drained. Drained of enthusiasm. If you see the tiles I get, you'll know why... Just lost another game this weekend to her. My last three tiles? I, I and I....
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Johari and Nohari: Self-reflection
Got this cool website from sonic. Must be brave to try....
Ya, since I just turned a year older recently, I wonder what the world thinks of me, and what I can do to be a better person.
I would appreciate if you could look into my Johari and Nohari windows: my good and bad.
It will help me accentuate my good, and work on my bad...
Ya, since I just turned a year older recently, I wonder what the world thinks of me, and what I can do to be a better person.
I would appreciate if you could look into my Johari and Nohari windows: my good and bad.
It will help me accentuate my good, and work on my bad...
Friday, April 14, 2006
Prosper thyself!
Just discovered a cool new website, Prosper!
Uses the ancient Chinese way of lending and borrowing money among small groups of people. Prosper takes that ancient concept, merged it with eBay-style bidding to make it into a new business model!
I just started a borrowing group called 'New to the USA' as a way for newcomers to build credit history in the US, as well as getting access to funds for future investments.
Cool concept! Check it out.
Uses the ancient Chinese way of lending and borrowing money among small groups of people. Prosper takes that ancient concept, merged it with eBay-style bidding to make it into a new business model!
I just started a borrowing group called 'New to the USA' as a way for newcomers to build credit history in the US, as well as getting access to funds for future investments.
Cool concept! Check it out.
Playing golf again....
Started to golf again. One thing good being in the US. Golf equipment are relatively cheap, and golf green frees are cheap too!
Got my golf set of eBay. Full set of Wilson Matrix golf clubs (without putter) for less than $100! Got a carry-bag from Target for $30. Got a Wilson putter for $30. And golf shoes for $80. With miscellaneous stuff (balls, tees, etc.), all in, about $250 in equipment costs.
Started playing with colleagues from work. 4 of us, Malaysian and Singaporean. Just right. Playing at the Santa Clara Municipal golf course. Open to public, fees only $26 per 9-holes.
I love playing golf here. You step out into the sun, and no sweat!! I perspire like a pig when I am playing back in Malaysia. Not even before hitting the first ball off the first tee, I am basically wet with perspiration. Here, cool and breezy. Makes a more relaxing game.
But I still suck at it.....
Got my golf set of eBay. Full set of Wilson Matrix golf clubs (without putter) for less than $100! Got a carry-bag from Target for $30. Got a Wilson putter for $30. And golf shoes for $80. With miscellaneous stuff (balls, tees, etc.), all in, about $250 in equipment costs.
Started playing with colleagues from work. 4 of us, Malaysian and Singaporean. Just right. Playing at the Santa Clara Municipal golf course. Open to public, fees only $26 per 9-holes.
I love playing golf here. You step out into the sun, and no sweat!! I perspire like a pig when I am playing back in Malaysia. Not even before hitting the first ball off the first tee, I am basically wet with perspiration. Here, cool and breezy. Makes a more relaxing game.
But I still suck at it.....
Thursday, March 02, 2006
Last TWL1, First TWL2
My last post was about the last TWL1 tournament. Officially, it still is the last NSA listed tournament. But during then, it was announced that the Palo Alto club will hold a club tournament. Last day of TWL1 on February 28, and first day of TWL2 on March 1. Could not pass up on that!
Had a great time! I am seeded 6th in this group.
February 28, 2006
Game 1:
Opponent: Mitch Bayersdorfer, rated 1575, seeded 2nd
Wow! I am playing with a 600+ rating differential!! Not unexpected. He bingoed with NORMALs first, which I replied with ZoNE with the Z on a double letter and E on the triple word for 66 points. The board closed up then, but he hooked through my P to bingo with S(P)RINTED. TINDERS would have no place to go, if not for my P. Lost 2 turns because of S hooks that were no good, ILKAS* and PIUS*. Sigh….. Not much else to say, but got thrashed 311-453.
Game 2:
Opponent: Jeremy Hall, rated 776, seeded 7th
This was a close fight till towards the end. I bingoed with NEROLIS. He tried RETHREw*/(VAU)R* for his last rack, but I challenged them off. He might have won if that was good. Won 397-307.
Game 3:
Opponent: Richard Stein, rated 1561, seeded 4th
My first triple-triple in a tournament!!! My opponent played DANGED, and I laid down MIN(D)lESs, having 2 blanks (to make L and S). 131 points!!! Sweet…. Had another bingo NASTIER (with RETINAS, the possibilities are great!!!) for 82 points. My opponent probably had bad tiles or bad balance. But to beat a 1,500+ player!! Nice feeling. Won 413-316
March 1, 2006
Game 4:
Opponent: Felix Kwok, rated 1570, seeded 3rd
Another 1,500+ opponent…. I got to bingo late in the game with SOARINg across the right centre triple word for 80 points. My opponent probably had bad tiles too. Won this 375-314. I think my ratings may improve well this time, having won against much higher rated players.
Game 5:
Opponent: Paula Catalanese, rated 1353, seeded 5th
My luck turned. I had nice tiles, but in wrong combinations. And I played DA#!!!! Again!!! Lost that to a challenge, of course. I lost this game 273-397. Ouch. But congratulations to Paula, coz she won 5 of 6 games to win the overall tournament.
Game 6:
Opponent: Richard Stein, rated 1561, seeded 4th
Richard is out for revenge for his lost yesterday!! I had crappy tiles too. I had RAIS? and I could not draw to bingo for a few rounds!!! Drew ID, GA, FA, which I played off. Drew IT and got AIRIeST, but was not sure I could play AIT (front hook to IT), which was a good word. Passed on that. Threw an I for just 2 points to draw an S, to play SAtIRES for a meastly 61 points. Richard played well. No bingos but scored consistently while I fished…. Lost 252-416…. Sigh…..
But overall, this tournament was fun!! I played the new allowable words such as QI, OI and VID (which were good OSW words before anyway) and a new word NEG.
Looking forward to more games!
Had a great time! I am seeded 6th in this group.
February 28, 2006
Game 1:
Opponent: Mitch Bayersdorfer, rated 1575, seeded 2nd
Wow! I am playing with a 600+ rating differential!! Not unexpected. He bingoed with NORMALs first, which I replied with ZoNE with the Z on a double letter and E on the triple word for 66 points. The board closed up then, but he hooked through my P to bingo with S(P)RINTED. TINDERS would have no place to go, if not for my P. Lost 2 turns because of S hooks that were no good, ILKAS* and PIUS*. Sigh….. Not much else to say, but got thrashed 311-453.
Game 2:
Opponent: Jeremy Hall, rated 776, seeded 7th
This was a close fight till towards the end. I bingoed with NEROLIS. He tried RETHREw*/(VAU)R* for his last rack, but I challenged them off. He might have won if that was good. Won 397-307.
Game 3:
Opponent: Richard Stein, rated 1561, seeded 4th
My first triple-triple in a tournament!!! My opponent played DANGED, and I laid down MIN(D)lESs, having 2 blanks (to make L and S). 131 points!!! Sweet…. Had another bingo NASTIER (with RETINAS, the possibilities are great!!!) for 82 points. My opponent probably had bad tiles or bad balance. But to beat a 1,500+ player!! Nice feeling. Won 413-316
March 1, 2006
Game 4:
Opponent: Felix Kwok, rated 1570, seeded 3rd
Another 1,500+ opponent…. I got to bingo late in the game with SOARINg across the right centre triple word for 80 points. My opponent probably had bad tiles too. Won this 375-314. I think my ratings may improve well this time, having won against much higher rated players.
Game 5:
Opponent: Paula Catalanese, rated 1353, seeded 5th
My luck turned. I had nice tiles, but in wrong combinations. And I played DA#!!!! Again!!! Lost that to a challenge, of course. I lost this game 273-397. Ouch. But congratulations to Paula, coz she won 5 of 6 games to win the overall tournament.
Game 6:
Opponent: Richard Stein, rated 1561, seeded 4th
Richard is out for revenge for his lost yesterday!! I had crappy tiles too. I had RAIS? and I could not draw to bingo for a few rounds!!! Drew ID, GA, FA, which I played off. Drew IT and got AIRIeST, but was not sure I could play AIT (front hook to IT), which was a good word. Passed on that. Threw an I for just 2 points to draw an S, to play SAtIRES for a meastly 61 points. Richard played well. No bingos but scored consistently while I fished…. Lost 252-416…. Sigh…..
But overall, this tournament was fun!! I played the new allowable words such as QI, OI and VID (which were good OSW words before anyway) and a new word NEG.
Looking forward to more games!
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
TWL2: Interesting new words
TWL2 is starting tomorrow!!!
New words:
DUH!!!!! Finally, this is in use.....
ZZZ: an unlikely word to be played, having to use 2 blanks with the Z!!!
AHI: I guess it's the Ahi Tuna fish, a favourite dish here.
ZA: the short form of pizza....what is the world coming to....
More usable 2 & 3-letter SOWPODS words now, for e.g.:
OI, QI, AHS, CIG, CRU, DAN, DEF, FAB, GOS, HOS, KYE, LES, MEG, OBA, ODA, POO, PST, QIS, RAI, SUK, UTE, VID, VUM, ZUZ
New 4-letter words that are interesting:
BLOG!! This new fangled word, what I am doing now... (BLOGGING is good, but not BLOGGED? Why? WEBLOG/WEBLOGS are good too)
MEME: Another new one!! meme me!!
CHAI: My favourite CBTL drink, Chai Latte
HAKU, JUKU, KOJI: Japanese words?
KUFI: Islamic skull-cap
More usable 4-letter SOWPODS words: QADI, ZINE, ZONA, ZOUK
New 5-letter words that are interesting:
AZUKI: Japanese red beans
BENTO: Japanese lunch box
BICEP: arm muscle... why wouldn't it be in?
BURKA/BURQA: Whole-body covers for Middle-eastern ladies
CUVEE: a wine word?
CYBER: another high-tech word
DROID: may the force be with you...
DUMBO: haha! you!!
EBOOK: another high-tech word
EMAIL: finally, those guys get it
EMMYS: an award?
FEDEX: another brand got generic
FOLIC: that's a nutrient for you
FUBAR: F-up beyond all recognition!!!
GAZOO: no idea what, but it was SOWPODS usable
GYOZA: Japanese dumpling
HAKUS: Japanese poetry
HALAL: permissable in Islam
HIJAB: Islamic veil
JELLO: they invented it, but never used it, another brand to generic use
KOMBU: Japanese seaweed, good for health
KORMA: Indian spice
LASSI: Indian yogurt drink, mango lassi is my favourite!
LOGON/LOGIN: more high-tech words
LYCRA: another brand to generic
MANGA: Japanese comics
MEMES: memememememe
MYLAR: another brand
PYREX: another brand
QADIS: usable in SOWPODS
SKANK: men don't want to be called this
SPAMS: unwanted emails, or mashed pork?
SPAZZ: spastic, I think
TANGA: sexy briefs
TECHS: ya, ya, another tech word
TELCO: short for telecommunications company, or telecom company, or telco...
UDONS: Japanese noodles
UMAMI: Japanese, the taste of MSG, not sweet, not salty, not sour, not bitter
VENUS: huh? a planet? or to describe a woman?
VOCAB: English is on the decline.... vocabulary became vocab
WANKS: you do that?
WICCA: the ancient religion of worshipping mother earth and nature, for witches
WUSHU: Chinese martial arts!!
ZINES: no idea, but good for SOWPODS
ZONAE: no idea, but good for SOWPODS
and.....
WEBSITE/WEBSITES: New to TWL2. How backward was TWL1??? WEBCAST is new. No PODCAST yet!! TWL3 perhaps.
Japanese, Islamic and IT words made a big impact to the dictionaries. Chinese words only had WUSHU, and QI, I suppose.
Hope to go through all the new words soon... tough..... according to LAMPWORDS that I use, there are:
5 x 2-letter words (3 to OSW)
44 x 3-letter words (21 to OSW)
128 x 4-letter words (66 to OSW)
303 x 5-letter words (160 to OSW)
556 x 6-letter words (384 to OSW)
920 x 7-letter words (649 to OSW)
1,349 x 8-letter words (985 to OSW)
Looks like a lot to learn. Lesser for me, if with SOWPODS, but I've still got to sort out those that cannot be used still!!! Damn TWL....
New words:
DUH!!!!! Finally, this is in use.....
ZZZ: an unlikely word to be played, having to use 2 blanks with the Z!!!
AHI: I guess it's the Ahi Tuna fish, a favourite dish here.
ZA: the short form of pizza....what is the world coming to....
More usable 2 & 3-letter SOWPODS words now, for e.g.:
OI, QI, AHS, CIG, CRU, DAN, DEF, FAB, GOS, HOS, KYE, LES, MEG, OBA, ODA, POO, PST, QIS, RAI, SUK, UTE, VID, VUM, ZUZ
New 4-letter words that are interesting:
BLOG!! This new fangled word, what I am doing now... (BLOGGING is good, but not BLOGGED? Why? WEBLOG/WEBLOGS are good too)
MEME: Another new one!! meme me!!
CHAI: My favourite CBTL drink, Chai Latte
HAKU, JUKU, KOJI: Japanese words?
KUFI: Islamic skull-cap
More usable 4-letter SOWPODS words: QADI, ZINE, ZONA, ZOUK
New 5-letter words that are interesting:
AZUKI: Japanese red beans
BENTO: Japanese lunch box
BICEP: arm muscle... why wouldn't it be in?
BURKA/BURQA: Whole-body covers for Middle-eastern ladies
CUVEE: a wine word?
CYBER: another high-tech word
DROID: may the force be with you...
DUMBO: haha! you!!
EBOOK: another high-tech word
EMAIL: finally, those guys get it
EMMYS: an award?
FEDEX: another brand got generic
FOLIC: that's a nutrient for you
FUBAR: F-up beyond all recognition!!!
GAZOO: no idea what, but it was SOWPODS usable
GYOZA: Japanese dumpling
HAKUS: Japanese poetry
HALAL: permissable in Islam
HIJAB: Islamic veil
JELLO: they invented it, but never used it, another brand to generic use
KOMBU: Japanese seaweed, good for health
KORMA: Indian spice
LASSI: Indian yogurt drink, mango lassi is my favourite!
LOGON/LOGIN: more high-tech words
LYCRA: another brand to generic
MANGA: Japanese comics
MEMES: memememememe
MYLAR: another brand
PYREX: another brand
QADIS: usable in SOWPODS
SKANK: men don't want to be called this
SPAMS: unwanted emails, or mashed pork?
SPAZZ: spastic, I think
TANGA: sexy briefs
TECHS: ya, ya, another tech word
TELCO: short for telecommunications company, or telecom company, or telco...
UDONS: Japanese noodles
UMAMI: Japanese, the taste of MSG, not sweet, not salty, not sour, not bitter
VENUS: huh? a planet? or to describe a woman?
VOCAB: English is on the decline.... vocabulary became vocab
WANKS: you do that?
WICCA: the ancient religion of worshipping mother earth and nature, for witches
WUSHU: Chinese martial arts!!
ZINES: no idea, but good for SOWPODS
ZONAE: no idea, but good for SOWPODS
and.....
WEBSITE/WEBSITES: New to TWL2. How backward was TWL1??? WEBCAST is new. No PODCAST yet!! TWL3 perhaps.
Japanese, Islamic and IT words made a big impact to the dictionaries. Chinese words only had WUSHU, and QI, I suppose.
Hope to go through all the new words soon... tough..... according to LAMPWORDS that I use, there are:
5 x 2-letter words (3 to OSW)
44 x 3-letter words (21 to OSW)
128 x 4-letter words (66 to OSW)
303 x 5-letter words (160 to OSW)
556 x 6-letter words (384 to OSW)
920 x 7-letter words (649 to OSW)
1,349 x 8-letter words (985 to OSW)
Looks like a lot to learn. Lesser for me, if with SOWPODS, but I've still got to sort out those that cannot be used still!!! Damn TWL....
Sunday, February 26, 2006
The Last TWL1 Tournament
Sunday, March 26, 2006
I am rated 8th of 8 players in division C, the third division. This is the last TWL1 tournament, and TWL2 officially goes into tournament use in March 2006.
Game 1
Opponent: Henry Yeung, rated 1249, seeded 1st
No luck, no luck!!! My 1st rack was GILORTT, and I played LOG, leaving IRTT. Guess what I drew? I+I+I!!! In a full bag? Man, the tile gods sure were against me this game. Henry bingoed twice in a row, first with ASTERIA, next with REMINdS.
I actually challenged REMINdS, because he announced the blank as an ‘M’ first. I challenged immediately and then he said, no ‘N’, then ‘D’. I called the tournament director, JC Green. Henry insisted he said ‘D’ first despite me not hearing it at all. How can a ‘D’ sounds like an ‘M’. Plus his second confirmation, he said ‘N’. John said I can withdraw my challenge, because the blank was not written down. I lost my respect for Henry immediately. He is a good player, and will climb the ranks. But he gets zero from me for honesty.
Well, lost this first game 270-442. Negative spread of 172 points. Not a good start. And lost faith in both Henry and John.
Game 2
Opponent: David Carlson, rated 1169, seeded 3rd
It was close at the beginning. I first challenged off his early non-word bingo, BEEPINGS* and built up a small lead. But he bingoed later with ROTATES.
SOWPODS undid me in this game. Later, I played QUAIRS#, an OSW word only for 48 points onto the top middle triple word space. It got challenged off. Played QUIRES next, again for 48 points, but my opponent hooked RE to make REQUIRES into the top left triple word space for 54 points. He then played BLANkEST, which I challenged and lost a turn. 2 mistakes. I bingoed RELEARNs towards the end, but lost this game 397-413. If I did not play QUAIRS# and not challenged BLANkest, I might have won.
Game 3
Opponent: Martin Mondragon, rated 1095, seeded 5th
I played Martin several times before, but never got to win him before. I had some luck to balance out my rack. Got one bingo, OUTLIE(R)S and he bingoed with GLAnCErS. Had both blanks in a rack!! Man…..and I started accumulating vowels in my rack. But that was a blessing in disguise, as in the end game, he had no vowels to play with, and I won 410-359. Finally get 1 win against him!
Game 4
Opponent: Marilyn Gage, rated 1185, seeded 2nd
Ahh…. I played a OSW word again…. Played OARIEST#, and got it challenged off. (OTARIES is not good too) Threw the O for 5 points and drew B and played BARITES next. Then, the curse of the vowels hit me again. At one point, I had 5 ‘E’ on my rack and I could not change due to the board openings. My opponent bingoed with DIASTEr. She led the end game and I lost 308-377.
Game 5
Opponent: Helen Gendler, rated 1150, seeded 4th.
Played ZINGA(R)E!! My first time too. For 54 points. I almost played ZINGA(R)ES coz I had the S. But luckily, I did not coz ZINGARES* is no good. My opponent bingoed REMOTesT. 2 blanks!! Second time today that my opponents had that. Played SINNERS in the late game and won 418-329. Funny, 2 games with opponent bingoed with 2 blanks and I won?!?
Game 6
Opponent: David Carlson, rated 1169, seeded 3rd
Playing David again. No luck again. I think the tile gods want me to quit or something. Had one rack with EEEIINR and towards the end, a rack with ANNNNOU. So annoying! Plus, David took all 4 ‘S’ and 2 blanks! I only caught up slightly playing Q, Z and X nicely. Lost 341-423.
Got 2 games. As I am seeded last in this division, I might get some increase in ratings with 2 games. Well, this is the last of TWL1 for me. TWL2 starts in March 2006. Woe to me!! First, already have 2 list to remember (second one being OSW-only words), and now I’ve got to learn new TWL2 words!!
I am rated 8th of 8 players in division C, the third division. This is the last TWL1 tournament, and TWL2 officially goes into tournament use in March 2006.
Game 1
Opponent: Henry Yeung, rated 1249, seeded 1st
No luck, no luck!!! My 1st rack was GILORTT, and I played LOG, leaving IRTT. Guess what I drew? I+I+I!!! In a full bag? Man, the tile gods sure were against me this game. Henry bingoed twice in a row, first with ASTERIA, next with REMINdS.
I actually challenged REMINdS, because he announced the blank as an ‘M’ first. I challenged immediately and then he said, no ‘N’, then ‘D’. I called the tournament director, JC Green. Henry insisted he said ‘D’ first despite me not hearing it at all. How can a ‘D’ sounds like an ‘M’. Plus his second confirmation, he said ‘N’. John said I can withdraw my challenge, because the blank was not written down. I lost my respect for Henry immediately. He is a good player, and will climb the ranks. But he gets zero from me for honesty.
Well, lost this first game 270-442. Negative spread of 172 points. Not a good start. And lost faith in both Henry and John.
Game 2
Opponent: David Carlson, rated 1169, seeded 3rd
It was close at the beginning. I first challenged off his early non-word bingo, BEEPINGS* and built up a small lead. But he bingoed later with ROTATES.
SOWPODS undid me in this game. Later, I played QUAIRS#, an OSW word only for 48 points onto the top middle triple word space. It got challenged off. Played QUIRES next, again for 48 points, but my opponent hooked RE to make REQUIRES into the top left triple word space for 54 points. He then played BLANkEST, which I challenged and lost a turn. 2 mistakes. I bingoed RELEARNs towards the end, but lost this game 397-413. If I did not play QUAIRS# and not challenged BLANkest, I might have won.
Game 3
Opponent: Martin Mondragon, rated 1095, seeded 5th
I played Martin several times before, but never got to win him before. I had some luck to balance out my rack. Got one bingo, OUTLIE(R)S and he bingoed with GLAnCErS. Had both blanks in a rack!! Man…..and I started accumulating vowels in my rack. But that was a blessing in disguise, as in the end game, he had no vowels to play with, and I won 410-359. Finally get 1 win against him!
Game 4
Opponent: Marilyn Gage, rated 1185, seeded 2nd
Ahh…. I played a OSW word again…. Played OARIEST#, and got it challenged off. (OTARIES is not good too) Threw the O for 5 points and drew B and played BARITES next. Then, the curse of the vowels hit me again. At one point, I had 5 ‘E’ on my rack and I could not change due to the board openings. My opponent bingoed with DIASTEr. She led the end game and I lost 308-377.
Game 5
Opponent: Helen Gendler, rated 1150, seeded 4th.
Played ZINGA(R)E!! My first time too. For 54 points. I almost played ZINGA(R)ES coz I had the S. But luckily, I did not coz ZINGARES* is no good. My opponent bingoed REMOTesT. 2 blanks!! Second time today that my opponents had that. Played SINNERS in the late game and won 418-329. Funny, 2 games with opponent bingoed with 2 blanks and I won?!?
Game 6
Opponent: David Carlson, rated 1169, seeded 3rd
Playing David again. No luck again. I think the tile gods want me to quit or something. Had one rack with EEEIINR and towards the end, a rack with ANNNNOU. So annoying! Plus, David took all 4 ‘S’ and 2 blanks! I only caught up slightly playing Q, Z and X nicely. Lost 341-423.
Got 2 games. As I am seeded last in this division, I might get some increase in ratings with 2 games. Well, this is the last of TWL1 for me. TWL2 starts in March 2006. Woe to me!! First, already have 2 list to remember (second one being OSW-only words), and now I’ve got to learn new TWL2 words!!
Friday, February 24, 2006
Santa Monica
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Visited Santa Monica. This place really looks nice with all those palm trees, the beach, the boardwalk & saw an installation to commemorate US soldiers in Iraq on the beach.
Visited Santa Monica. This place really looks nice with all those palm trees, the beach, the boardwalk & saw an installation to commemorate US soldiers in Iraq on the beach.
FUBAR - allowed in Scrabble!!
Just found out about this word. You know what it means? Will try to use it from March 2006, when this new word is legal for Scrabble tournaments!
Monday, February 20, 2006
Wong Kar Mun at Von Karman
Hey hey, staying at a hotel along Von Karman Street!!
Very close phonetically to my name, yah?
Sunday, February 19, 2006
2 notebooks = danger?
Wednesday, February 15
Had a business trip to Irvine, California. Flew from San Jose airport to Santa Ana airport. Airport security... you wonder what they are thinking...
I have 2 notebook computers. Yes, 2. One is firm-issued and one is client-issued. Notebooks have to be removed from the bag, and placed in trays for screening. So, I took them out, and put them together into one tray, one on top of another. Guess what? They had to be 'scrutinized' again because of that. The security screener told me I cannot put them together, but they should be in separate bins. But why?
Anyhow, they got swabbed and the swab was put into some scanner. Took a few more minutes, but what nonsense!
Had a business trip to Irvine, California. Flew from San Jose airport to Santa Ana airport. Airport security... you wonder what they are thinking...
I have 2 notebook computers. Yes, 2. One is firm-issued and one is client-issued. Notebooks have to be removed from the bag, and placed in trays for screening. So, I took them out, and put them together into one tray, one on top of another. Guess what? They had to be 'scrutinized' again because of that. The security screener told me I cannot put them together, but they should be in separate bins. But why?
Anyhow, they got swabbed and the swab was put into some scanner. Took a few more minutes, but what nonsense!
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Monday, February 13, 2006
CNY parade in SF
Saturday, Feb 11
Went to SF to watch the CNY parade. Those who had experienced the Singapore Chingay parade was sorely disappointed. The parade was political, for one. Car after car of political figures (unknown to me) went first. Marshall this, Marshall that, Supervisor this, Supervisor that. Don't even know what they are for. Saw the SF Mayor live for the first time. He has the looks of an movie star, according to some.
Finally, the parade floats and contingents starts. And stops. And starts. And stops. The timing of the flow really sucked. I heard later that it is because all the contingents stopped at Union Square, where we saw the bright lights. The TV crew were there to film, so all the contingents actually stopped there to perform, causing the rest to back-up.
After a while, even the contingents got boring. Not many of the better sounding marching bands (of course, nothing to do with the Chinese). Lots of martial art schools parading their lions, but the lions weren't exactly dancing either. More like walking. The first golden dragon was somewhat impressive, but later on, more to come. Less and less impressive ones, that is. Then, the kids from various schools came. Had their lion heads and little dragons too. From then on, it got boring.
Ah well. We had an Indonesian dinner, at a restaurant called Borobudor. Not too bad. The rendang was good. Saving grace.
Soccer: USA vs. Japan
Friday night, Feb 10, 8pm
Watched a live soccer match. Friendly game, USA vs. Japan. As those who know me well, I was never really into soccer. Well, a partner of the firm part-sponsored the tickets, so I went for it! A group of us (not unexpectedly, mostly foreigners) went for it.
Was kinda fun, actually. We went to the SBC Park, up in San Francisco. There was a record turn-out of more than 37,000 in attendance. The USA team had not been in to SF in 26 years. I was surprised that they even had a soccer team for 26 years. And even more surprised that there are that many supporters of the game. I mostly thought it was more a women's game here in the US.
The match itself was pretty one-sided. By end of first half, the score was 2-0 in favour of USA. Most of the time, the ball was in Japan's half of the field. Very slow response of the strikers, and they could not pass well. Second half was more exciting, and the match ended 3-2 in favour of USA. At least the Japanese fought back well in the 2nd half. I suspect that the Japanese team actually fielded their second team. The Nakata fella was not there. There was a bunch of Japanese teens sitting near us, cheering "Nippon, nippon" but mostly drown out by the US supporters.
The weather was kinda weird in SF. It was unusually warm and sunny for this whole week, very uncharacteristically of the winter season. Must be the global warming... anyhow, as we drove up to SF, the fog came in and at the stadium itself, the wind of chillingly cold.... brrr....
But this was a fun outing. Hope the partner will sponsor more events like these!
Watched a live soccer match. Friendly game, USA vs. Japan. As those who know me well, I was never really into soccer. Well, a partner of the firm part-sponsored the tickets, so I went for it! A group of us (not unexpectedly, mostly foreigners) went for it.
Was kinda fun, actually. We went to the SBC Park, up in San Francisco. There was a record turn-out of more than 37,000 in attendance. The USA team had not been in to SF in 26 years. I was surprised that they even had a soccer team for 26 years. And even more surprised that there are that many supporters of the game. I mostly thought it was more a women's game here in the US.
The match itself was pretty one-sided. By end of first half, the score was 2-0 in favour of USA. Most of the time, the ball was in Japan's half of the field. Very slow response of the strikers, and they could not pass well. Second half was more exciting, and the match ended 3-2 in favour of USA. At least the Japanese fought back well in the 2nd half. I suspect that the Japanese team actually fielded their second team. The Nakata fella was not there. There was a bunch of Japanese teens sitting near us, cheering "Nippon, nippon" but mostly drown out by the US supporters.
The weather was kinda weird in SF. It was unusually warm and sunny for this whole week, very uncharacteristically of the winter season. Must be the global warming... anyhow, as we drove up to SF, the fog came in and at the stadium itself, the wind of chillingly cold.... brrr....
But this was a fun outing. Hope the partner will sponsor more events like these!
Thursday, February 02, 2006
Books to read
Via jadeite and sonic, here are the current top 50 books from What I Should Read Next. Bold the books you have read. Italicise the books you might read. Cross out the books you probably won’t read. Pass it on:
The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (for all those book bashers, this is fiction!! Fiction!! I love conspiracy theories...)
The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams (the funniest book I’ve read! the movie sucked bad though)
The Great Gatsby - F.Scott Fitzgerald
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter 6) - J.K. Rowling
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
Animal Farm: A Fairy Story - George Orwell (a great satirical piece on communism. did this for my ‘O’ levels, used to be able to quote whole paragraphs!! ‘All Animals Are Created Equal’ became ‘All Animals Are Created Equal, But Some Are More Equal Than Others’)
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller
The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
Lord of the Flies - William Golding
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
1984 - George Orwell
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3) - J.K. Rowling
One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut
Angels and Demons - Dan Brown
Fight Club - Chuck Palahniuk
Neuromancer - William Gibson
Cryptonomicon - Neal Stephenson
The Secret History - Donna Tartt
A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
American Gods - Neil Gaiman
Ender’s Game (The Ender Saga) - Orson Scott Card
Snow Crash - Neal Stephenson
A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis (after watching the movie, this piqued my interest. I read the prequel ‘Magician’s Nephew’, which explains the formation of Narnia)
Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides
Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien (I grew up loving D&D stuff)
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
Good Omens - Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman
Atonement - Ian McEwan
The Shadow Of The Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway
The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Dune - Frank Herbert
Hmm, don't seem to have read a lot on this list. And I usually read whatever I get my hands on. Guess I have been reading more business books, investment books and self-improvement books lately...
The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown (for all those book bashers, this is fiction!! Fiction!! I love conspiracy theories...)
The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger
The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy - Douglas Adams (the funniest book I’ve read! the movie sucked bad though)
The Great Gatsby - F.Scott Fitzgerald
To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
The Time Traveler’s Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Harry Potter 6) - J.K. Rowling
Life of Pi - Yann Martel
Animal Farm: A Fairy Story - George Orwell (a great satirical piece on communism. did this for my ‘O’ levels, used to be able to quote whole paragraphs!! ‘All Animals Are Created Equal’ became ‘All Animals Are Created Equal, But Some Are More Equal Than Others’)
Catch-22 - Joseph Heller
The Hobbit - J. R. R. Tolkien
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
Lord of the Flies - William Golding
Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
1984 - George Orwell
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3) - J.K. Rowling
One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut
Angels and Demons - Dan Brown
Fight Club - Chuck Palahniuk
Neuromancer - William Gibson
Cryptonomicon - Neal Stephenson
The Secret History - Donna Tartt
A Clockwork Orange - Anthony Burgess
Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
American Gods - Neil Gaiman
Ender’s Game (The Ender Saga) - Orson Scott Card
Snow Crash - Neal Stephenson
A Prayer for Owen Meany - John Irving
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis (after watching the movie, this piqued my interest. I read the prequel ‘Magician’s Nephew’, which explains the formation of Narnia)
Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides
Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
The Lord of the Rings - J. R. R. Tolkien (I grew up loving D&D stuff)
Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
Good Omens - Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman
Atonement - Ian McEwan
The Shadow Of The Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
The Old Man and the Sea - Ernest Hemingway
The Handmaid’s Tale - Margaret Atwood
The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
Dune - Frank Herbert
Hmm, don't seem to have read a lot on this list. And I usually read whatever I get my hands on. Guess I have been reading more business books, investment books and self-improvement books lately...
CNY Scrabble
Sunday Jan 29, 2006
Chinese New Year
Scrabble!!!
Ya, I know. First day of Chinese New Year, and I do the most untraditional thing.... played Scrabble. What to do? Los Gatos tournaments happens once a month, usually last Sunday of the month. If I don't go, I'll suffer withdrawal symptoms, I think.
Wearing a red underwear outside my pants.... just kidding lah, not Superman... want a bit more luck, a little more balanced racks only.
Game 1
Opponent: David Stewart, rated 830
Nice guy, pretty good player. Bingoed on his second rack, with UnSWEPT for 74 points and I replied immediately with EX for 55 points, with the 'X' tile on the triple letter score. Then, with my fourth rack, I laid down RINGLET. He, in turn, had another bingo, with LENDING. I kept behind him closely and towards the end-game, I picked up the 'Q'! Luckily, I was holding on to a 'U' tile. This would never have upset me if it was SOWPODS, but with TWL right now, having the Q at the end usually is not good. On our last racks, I was barely leading with 346-343, but had the Q. The board was pretty closed up too. I was gonna give up and eat the Q, when I spied an open 'A' tile. My last chance to play out the Q, so I played AQUA for 15 points, exposing the 'A' on J15 on the triple word score line. I knew he may have bingo-able tiles, but hoped for the best. He played ST(A)IRS for just 21 points to bring him to lead 361-364, but I played out (G)'OING' for just 8 points, but enough to beat him by 5 points, and took his 2 points extra to boot. Turns out he was holding the 'E' as his last tiles. He could have played out with S(A)TIRES to win the game. Phew.
Game 2
Opponent: Jon Demeter, rated 778
Nice guy, Jon. Played him before. Not much to say on this game, except for lousy tiles. Lost badly with 269-404. He phoneyed me with a bingo SUPINED*.
Game 3
Opponent: Lynn Joseph, rated 855
She is a very pushy lady. Interruptive too. Not liking her personally too much, but she plays well. Started out well, and bingoed twice, with RISKIeR and REStAGE, but the 'I's clung to me at the end game. Proceeded to close up the board, but she bingoed with BANGLES, hooking the 'S' to FOND. Challenged FONDS and lost a turn. Big mistake, as she then played ZITI on the triple word for another 47 points. Lost 357-410.
Game 4
Opponent: David Carlson, rated 1131, first seed
Good player. He bingoed with s(Q)UIRTED and I replied with DelET(I)NG immediately. But lost towards the end with racks like AIIOURS. But close game. Lost 334-372.
Game 5
Opponent: Gloriosa Agdeppa, rated 904
This was a good game. I bingoed early with DRAiNER and she replied later on with sOLDIER. I then started to had bad tiles, and changed one rack for all 7 tiles. Immediately, she played SUQS for 54 points on the bottom triple word line to lead 323-265. I started to track every move, and ended with my second last play of AIDS to hook D on BATHE for 22 points to edge a lead of 377-360. I held my 'I' tile, and she had to play out 3 tiles with 15 points to draw. But she could only score 14 points! I got another 3 points for my end game and took 2 points from her to win 382-374. Great end game play for me! Learning my lessons well....
Game 6
Opponent: David Stewart, rated 830.
I faced Stewart again! I knew I had to play carefully with him, since he will be out for revenge. I drew a blank tile on first rack, and bingoed with TACTI(l)E. Later on, I bingoed with LAIRISE#, a OSW-only word. I think since I played it down so confidently, he did not challenge the word. I had HORNETs on my last rack, but unfortunately blocked by his move. I knew he had the JO on his last rack, and there was an exposed triple letter square with an 'O' beside it. Thank goodness, I track tiles in all my games! I blocked it, and won 351-323. Phew again!! My end-game moves are getting better.
So, met just 1 target. Won 3 games, that's half the games. Had a negative spread, so I failed that. And I was not in the top half. Was 5th of 8. Oh well.
Chinese New Year
Scrabble!!!
Ya, I know. First day of Chinese New Year, and I do the most untraditional thing.... played Scrabble. What to do? Los Gatos tournaments happens once a month, usually last Sunday of the month. If I don't go, I'll suffer withdrawal symptoms, I think.
Wearing a red underwear outside my pants.... just kidding lah, not Superman... want a bit more luck, a little more balanced racks only.
Game 1
Opponent: David Stewart, rated 830
Nice guy, pretty good player. Bingoed on his second rack, with UnSWEPT for 74 points and I replied immediately with EX for 55 points, with the 'X' tile on the triple letter score. Then, with my fourth rack, I laid down RINGLET. He, in turn, had another bingo, with LENDING. I kept behind him closely and towards the end-game, I picked up the 'Q'! Luckily, I was holding on to a 'U' tile. This would never have upset me if it was SOWPODS, but with TWL right now, having the Q at the end usually is not good. On our last racks, I was barely leading with 346-343, but had the Q. The board was pretty closed up too. I was gonna give up and eat the Q, when I spied an open 'A' tile. My last chance to play out the Q, so I played AQUA for 15 points, exposing the 'A' on J15 on the triple word score line. I knew he may have bingo-able tiles, but hoped for the best. He played ST(A)IRS for just 21 points to bring him to lead 361-364, but I played out (G)'OING' for just 8 points, but enough to beat him by 5 points, and took his 2 points extra to boot. Turns out he was holding the 'E' as his last tiles. He could have played out with S(A)TIRES to win the game. Phew.
Game 2
Opponent: Jon Demeter, rated 778
Nice guy, Jon. Played him before. Not much to say on this game, except for lousy tiles. Lost badly with 269-404. He phoneyed me with a bingo SUPINED*.
Game 3
Opponent: Lynn Joseph, rated 855
She is a very pushy lady. Interruptive too. Not liking her personally too much, but she plays well. Started out well, and bingoed twice, with RISKIeR and REStAGE, but the 'I's clung to me at the end game. Proceeded to close up the board, but she bingoed with BANGLES, hooking the 'S' to FOND. Challenged FONDS and lost a turn. Big mistake, as she then played ZITI on the triple word for another 47 points. Lost 357-410.
Game 4
Opponent: David Carlson, rated 1131, first seed
Good player. He bingoed with s(Q)UIRTED and I replied with DelET(I)NG immediately. But lost towards the end with racks like AIIOURS. But close game. Lost 334-372.
Game 5
Opponent: Gloriosa Agdeppa, rated 904
This was a good game. I bingoed early with DRAiNER and she replied later on with sOLDIER. I then started to had bad tiles, and changed one rack for all 7 tiles. Immediately, she played SUQS for 54 points on the bottom triple word line to lead 323-265. I started to track every move, and ended with my second last play of AIDS to hook D on BATHE for 22 points to edge a lead of 377-360. I held my 'I' tile, and she had to play out 3 tiles with 15 points to draw. But she could only score 14 points! I got another 3 points for my end game and took 2 points from her to win 382-374. Great end game play for me! Learning my lessons well....
Game 6
Opponent: David Stewart, rated 830.
I faced Stewart again! I knew I had to play carefully with him, since he will be out for revenge. I drew a blank tile on first rack, and bingoed with TACTI(l)E. Later on, I bingoed with LAIRISE#, a OSW-only word. I think since I played it down so confidently, he did not challenge the word. I had HORNETs on my last rack, but unfortunately blocked by his move. I knew he had the JO on his last rack, and there was an exposed triple letter square with an 'O' beside it. Thank goodness, I track tiles in all my games! I blocked it, and won 351-323. Phew again!! My end-game moves are getting better.
So, met just 1 target. Won 3 games, that's half the games. Had a negative spread, so I failed that. And I was not in the top half. Was 5th of 8. Oh well.
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