11.23.06
First Thanksgiving
Well, hello all. It’s been a while. We just finished up a fine day, and I thought I should share it with you. We stayed in today, and spent most of it with K & G (one of my groomsmen, remember?). Becky made the potatoes, pies, turkey (breast in crock pot), yams, corn-dish, and rolls. I made the cranberry jelly. K & G brought over appetizers, salad, and coffee and cider. We basically had a feast, and ate less than half the food. It was good. Then we played Boggle for a bit — Becky liked it and says we should get the game, even though my score equaled the total of the other three combined. 
So I don’t know if we’ll play that one much together.
We took a break for familial phone calls (I cleaned the kitchen - I’ll get ya tomorrow, Mom and Dad!), and then tried a game of Settlers of Catan. While eating pie. Apple and pumpkin. That ended up taking about 3 hours to finish, so we wanted it to be over by the end. I think we spent too much time thinking and trying to trade each turn. The ending was quite funny, though, as K and I had been battling for world domination (longest road), but then G got largest army and then a random point from a card and won almost by accident. Matt and Jeni, any tips to make that game go faster / be more fun?
The cats were entertaining as well. They always are, it seems. So, a good day to be thankful for. I’m sure we’re less appreciative of having more comforts than some people. But as Ecclesiastes says, God gives us food, work, riches, and the ability to enjoy them all. And we are thankful. Now, don’t you go get trampled tomorrow.
jeni said,
November 26, 2006 at 10:39 am
Hmm… Matt can chime in, but we’ve been playing 4-player with the 5-6 expansion pack… It’s less crowded and seems to move faster. Other than that, just keep it moving and remember that it’s a game?
Becky said,
November 26, 2006 at 3:41 pm
Perhaps we should add the brownie resource cards, too?
jeni said,
November 29, 2006 at 2:09 am
This is actually Matt on Jeni’s computer. Usua
jeni said,
November 29, 2006 at 2:28 am
This is actually Matt on Jeni’s computer. Settlers seems to go a lot faster, a whole lot faster, if everyone playing is really familiar with the game. Even if you know the game but haven’t played in a while it’ll slow things down a lot. Forunately, it only takes about a game and a half for a rank beginner to become really comfortable with it.
My second observation is that when you look back on a three hour game, usually it was one person who took up two of them. Gently encourage this person to pick up the pace a bit. Some people seem to only think about their strategy on their turn, while sitting idly by when others play.
Regarding trading: Only trade when it will benefit you! Ususally only a few mutually beneficial trades can be made each turn. If you’re taking forever trading, some people are probably trading just for the heck of it.
Regarding fun: If you’re doing poorly and feel bad about it, make it your goal not to win, but to get all up in someone else’s fries, preferably the leader’s. You’re not supposed to conspire with other players according to the rules, but I see nothing wrong with it when it’s done out loud for the whole table to hear.
Also, some of the best games we’ve had have been with three players. The game really speeds along with three.
Finally, make as many jokes about Wales as you can. “Got wood for sheep, Welshy?”