Sync Weekly

Archive for the ‘Games’ Category

East Carolina’s gift to Arkansas. Thanks for blowing it, Hartman.

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

 	East Carolina defensive tackle Jay Ross (90) lies on the field after East Carolina lost to Arkansas 20-17 in overtime at the Liberty Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

East Carolina defensive tackle Jay Ross (90) lies on the field after East Carolina lost to Arkansas 20-17 in overtime at the Liberty Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Some things are free.  Like, say, the Arkansas’s victory over East Carolina at the Liberty Bowl.  I attended this rather cold and frustrating event January 2 in Memphis.  My watching companion and I hovered at one of the stadium’s exit as East Carolina’s kicker, Ben Hartman, attempted a field goal at the Arkansas 22 yard line with 3 seconds remaining.  The score was tied 17-17 and it seemed inevitable that ECU would take the win leaving Arkansas with yet another bowl game loss.  After watching a disappointing, messy game, I truly expected to make my solemn way towards the car, head down, hands jammed in pockets after this kick.  Hartman had just missed a 40-ish yard field goal that shanked off the left goalpost only minutes before.  This was his second chance to clench the lead and ultimately the win for East Carolina.  He missed before; he’ll make it this time.  But to the joy of every camo-clad Hog fan in the stands, the dude totally blew it!  Instead of exiting, we trickled our way to the tenth row to watch the overtime battle.

East Carolina had possesion first which led to another missed field goal by Hartman.  After a few plays, Arkansas’s Alex Tejada kicked from East Carolina’s 20 to score the winning field goal.  Arkansas victory, 20-17.  I was more relieved than excited for the win but I’m happy Tejada pulled through.  To see the final kick and my reaction to it watch this home-video: Arkansas Victory

 	Arkansas kicker Alex Tejada waves to the fans as he leaves the field after his 37-yard field goal gave the Razorbacks a 20-17 overtime win over East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Arkansas kicker Alex Tejada waves to the fans as he leaves the field after his 37-yard field goal gave the Razorbacks a 20-17 overtime win over East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl NCAA college football game on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Below you’ll find a video spoof about poor Ben Hartman.

Little Rock-OPOLY/ No Thank You-Opoly

Monday, December 14th, 2009
LittleRockopoly

Available for $24.95 on lateforthesky.com and different stores around town. If you want to know where to get this after reading my scathing, unforgiving opinion of it, I will tell you. Email me at shannon@syncweekly.com. Otherwise, I don't want to make these stores appear silly by association.

Little Rock-OPOLY. I assume this product was created and manufactured for folks who are on a desperate gift hunt for people they don’t know much about.  They see “Little Rock” plastered on a box and think, “Well, hey, Shannon lives in Little Rock and she likes games;  I’ll get her this.  She’ll love it! What with all the clever allusions to the city of Little Rock that I’m sure are all very accurate, this lucid interpretation of the city will make a great addition to her game closet.”

Please, please, do not buy me this. Or for anyone else unless your intention is for them to re-gift it to a non-mutual friend.

At first glance I thought the box made the game seem fun and cute because everything familiar seems fun and cute in the beginning, but then I looked closer.  The properties aren’t neighborhoods rather they are Little Rock institutions like the Arkansas Queen (which is in North Little Rock).  Evidently the grouping of these properties are not required to make sense.  One grouping contains the following: Little Rock Zoo, Big Dam Bridge and the Peabody Hotel.  The only thing in common between these three is that they all have duck inhabitants.

A section of the board and look at a property card and "contingency" card.

A section of the board and look at a property card and "contingency" card.

Upon further googling I found this which is a call for opinions on how to create a game that represents the city of Little Rock.  I’m unsure where the person got the original institution ideas but I would guess poor internet research supplied 97% of them.  Luckily some people commented with helpful suggestions like, “NLR is a separate city not a neighborhood in LR.”

Lateforthesky.com makes an -OPOLY game for anything and everything including Horse-OPOLY, Grillin-OPOLY and Canada-OPOLY.  Friend and frequent commentator on this blog, Johnnie owns Earth-OPOLY.  It’s been sitting in his car trunk, unopened, as long as I’ve known him.  And even though I know these things are worthless my heart still skips a beat when I read Dino-OPOLY and Monsters-OPOLY.

Game Details

The Pieces: They’re the same for most of the City-OPOLY games and include a High Five, Big Smile, Heart, Pretzel, The Dog and Old Shoe.

Utilities: Greek Food Festival and Riverfest

Railroads: Cantrell Road, Chenal Parkway, Markham Street and Kavanaugh –They got this one right.

Property Groupings:

Little Rock National Airport and River Rail Trolley –Both are transportation.

Arkansas Queen, Cajun’s Wharf and Riverfest Ampitheatre –All on the river. Okay, I’ll buy that.

Little Rock Zoo, Big Dam Bridge and Peabody Hotel –???

The Rep, Old State House and MacArthur Park –They meant the Arkansas Arts Center rather than the Repertory Theatre.  Too bad they blew it.

Robinson Center Music Hall, Little Rock Central High School and War Memorial Stadium –Um. All have football? nope.  All have “events.”  Eh, yeeeah. Good enough.

Arkansas Arts Center, Museum of Discovery and Clinton Presidential Center –All museums… though the AAC shouldn’t be here, perhaps the Historic Arkansas Museum or the Arkansas Studies Institute instead?

Riverfront Park, Quapaw Quarter and Arkansas State Capitol –Which landmarks and areas did we forget? Oh I know, we’ll put them here.

Metropolitan National Bank Tower and La Petite Roche –I guess I never realized how important the Metropolitan National Bank Tower was.  It is tall.

As you may have noticed, Flying Fish isn’t in any of these groupings.  That’s cool since it’s logo is on the cover of the box.

Max Recordings Limited Edition Skate Deck

Friday, September 18th, 2009
Max "LP Label" Skate Deck.   Designed by Isaac Alexander

Max "LP Label" Skate Deck. Designed by Isaac Alexander

Local music label, Max Recordings, is now offering a limited edition skateboard deck with the price tag of $40.  Paige Hearn manufactured 25 of these guys, each the 8.0″ Fun Size.  If you know what that means, good for you.  If you don’t and are curious, here.  Go to the Max Recordings website to order yourself one.  Or three.

Razorback Fashion Shoot Favorites

Thursday, September 17th, 2009
My magnificent models Katie, Adam, Meghan and David.

My magnificent models Katie, Adam, Meghan and David in War Memorial Stadium.*

Running around the grand town of Little Rock last week gathering red, black and white clothing of the Arkansas Razorback persuasion was a bit stressful but I’d like to thank the local boutiques that assisted me: RK Collections, Box Turtle and Rock City Kicks.  Thank you for your help, willingness to part with your products AND for having so much red, black and white wear in your stores for me to choose from.  Also, thanks to Dillard’s and Evolve for sending clothing with our couriers.  I’d like to pick out some of my favorite pieces to share with you folks.  AND, of course, thanks to Sync’s Lauren for doing our models’ makeup as well as Charlie Staggs for allowing us to march around War Memorial Stadium like we owned the place.  Pick up a copy of the September 16th issue for more.

Red and gray Onitsuka Tiger sneakers, Colorado Eight-Five hy-tops from Rock City Kicks, $84.99

Red and gray Onitsuka Tiger sneakers, Colorado Eight-Five hy-tops from Rock City Kicks, $84.99.

Shut up. Black leather Dolce Vita boots from Box Turtle, $167

Shut up. Black leather Dolce Vita boots from Box Turtle, $167.

Gray tank with screen printed pig by Woo Tuck from Box Turtle, $32 A black knit vest with attached scarf by Acrobat from RK Collections, Mat and Nat gray clutch from RK Collections, $39.99 AV Max ethnic toggle bracelet from Box Turtle, $53

Gray tank with screen printed pig by Woo Tuck from Box Turtle, $32; A black knit vest with attached scarf by Acrobat from RK Collections, $107; Mat and Nat gray clutch from RK Collections, $39.99; AV Max ethnic toggle bracelet from Box Turtle, $53.

Red buffalo plaid raincoat by Industry from Box Turtle, $143

Knee-length buffalo plaid raincoat by Industry from Box Turtle, $143.

*Adam is wearing a red Beatles T-shirt by Junk Food from RK Collections, $34.
Howe faded black cardigan from RK Collections, $89
MEK jeans in Luderitz from RK Collections, $147
Red, gray and white Cell Kingston Puma sneakers from Rock City Kicks, $149

Katie is wearing a red cap sleeve dress by French Connection from Box Turtle, $168
Nick Mo black and white houndstooth jacket from Box Turtle, $106
Dream Nappa by Jessica Simpson black flats from Dillard’s, $59
Silver earrings from Box Turtle by Margaret Perritt, $40

Meghan is wearing a black Michael Starz tank top from Box Turtle, $36
MYNK skinny jeans in licorice from RK Collections, $185
Red coral necklace by Shannon Padilla from Box Turtle, $80
Ivorly double-breasted jacket by Demoiselle from RK Collections, $135
Black leather Dolce Vita boots from Box Turtle, $167

David is wearing a long-sleeved 10 Deep oversized plaid shirt from Rock City Kicks, $37.50
MYNK skinny leg jean in raw from RK Collections, $185
Red and gray Onitsuka Tiger sneakers, Colorado Eight-Five hy-tops from Rock City Kicks, $84.99
Red LR baseball cap by 59fifty from Rock City Kicks, $32.99

Paper, please. Oh, and bite me.

Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009

brown-paper-sack

I learned a new (amazing) game this past weekend at an ultimate frisbee party honoring the end of summer league.  After my team lost in the tournament it was quite essential that we flaunt our exceptional skills in avenues other than hucking, catching and D-ing.  Evidently we are very good at winning particular relay races and an innovative game called, Bite the Bag.

The object of Bite of Bag is to lift a brown paper sack placed on the floor by quite literally biting the bag.  You must stand on one foot only.  No other part of your body may touch the floor and you must retain your balance (on the same foot you started on) as you lift the bag from the ground with your teeth.  Anything goes as long as the only part of your body that touches the floor is a single foot.

If you fall as you attempt to get the bag, catch yourself with your hands on the floor, slam your face into the ground or anything of that nature–that’s a strike.  You get three strikes until you are deemed unworthy to further attempt to bite the bag and the round moves on without you.

IMG_6819

After each round, the bag is rolled down about an inch.  It’s “easy” at first, but once the bag gets lower and lower it gets exponentially harder to retrieve the bag and exponentially more entertaining to watch.

I introduced this game at my birthday party and 3 hours of rip roaring fun ensued.

IMG_6969

The best part about this game is that it is free.  I went to the grocery store, filled my resuable LRecycles bag with groceries, then sheepishly asked the bag girl for a paper sack.  She quickly and without question handed me one, the one you see right there.  I can’t help but be fond of it and the joy and agony it brought.  Thank you, paper bag.

Justin Baines diligently recorded the attempts of several ultimate frisbee players the fateful night I learned Bite the Bag.  Here’s a video of me mid-game.  Trust that it is very exciting in person and only partially exciting in this quiet video.  If you listen closely you’ll hear the vocal, dedicated rulekeepers.  Oh and me saying, “If I flash you, you’re welcome.”

What do Christian Bale and Ms. Pac Man have in common? Me.

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

I’m reading American Psycho.

Christian Bale stars in the movie, American Psycho.

I’m not sure if what I did there with the underlining and italics is grammatically correct but I thought it’d be funny anyhow.

Back to my (weak) point.

I wrote a blog about Ms. Pac Man.

As a child, Christian Bale was in this cereal commercial.

It’s nearly impossible to tell that it’s him, but that dance move at 0:07 is worth watching.

Birthday wish.

Tuesday, July 14th, 2009

My birthday is next week and if ever I wanted anything more in my entire life, it’s this machine from Blue Suede Shoes that was last seen on February 21.  As you can see here, Shea is enjoying one of the 20-ish games installed on the tabletop arcade game.  The most important of these games being Ms. Pac Man.   Look at the 25¢ slot!

Shea playing Donkey Kong.

Shea playing Donkey Kong.

Now, I don’t play a lot of video games but I can beat you at Ms. Pac Man.

Yes, that is a challenge.

This machine was listed for something like $650 which was too much for me to stomach.  If it had been $250, I would have bought this bad boy on the spot.  I have a perfect place for it on my kitchen counter.  After sufficient pining I returned April 23 to Blue Suede Shoes in hopes the price had gone down.  In my heart I registered the unlikelihood but I wanted to at least say a proper good-bye to my dream.  Alas, it was no longer there.

Shea joked that he and our group of friends would all pitch in and buy it for me.  When I hopefully mentioned this to Johnnie last night over a drink he said, “Wow.  Yeah, that would have been really thoughtful of us.”

I think that means that it hasn’t been hidden in someone’s closet for 5 months.  Sigh.  What’s there to live for anymore?

Here are some ridiculous alternatives:

Brookstone offers a modern upright machine with Ms. Pac Man, Pac Man and Galaga for a mere $1,995.00

Brookstone offers a modern upright machine with Ms. Pac Man, Pac Man and Galaga for a mere $1,995.00

A two player gaming table with Ms. Pac Man, Pac Man and Galage.  ONLY $3,599.99 (on sale!) at extremetoysforboys.com

A two player gaming table with Ms. Pac Man, Pac Man and Galage. ONLY $3,599.99 (on sale!) at extremetoysforboys.com

And Heaven opened up, letting Scrabble pieces swirl from the sky into my heart, my soul.

Thursday, April 23rd, 2009

Ok. You are not ready for this.  There’s your warning.

Designed by Doc Datamancer

Designed by Doc Datamancer

In my google galavanting of Scrabble Apple yesterday, I ran across this priceless jewel and nearly died in my desk chair.  After further googling, I have gathered, dear fellow Scrabble-ites, that this keyboard is not for sale–most likely due to Scrabble’s miserly life choices like the one made in the post below.  Also, this invention came forth into the world in January, which means I’m a bit behind, but you didn’t know about this, did you?  Of course not.

Close-up of keys: image from boingboing.net

Close-up of keys

Um... some keys light up.  Yeah.

Um... some keys light up. Yeah.

Doc Datamancer made the keyboard for some friends and is in hopes to sell more, join his mailing list for updates.
All images from Designer Dude’s website.

Applegrams and Bananabble

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2009
Banana + anagram = Bananagrams

Banana + anagram = Bananagrams

My neighbor, Josh, told me one evening about a little game called Bananagrams.  The object of the game is to arrange your letters in a crossword-like way until you’ve used them all.  Playing a two-player game, we each start with 21 letters.  Once one forms connecting words using all those letters, one says “peel,” and both players must draw one more letter to form more words from the “bunch” until all the letters are gone.  “Peeling” quickly is supposed to frustrate your playing companion, hopefully disarming them into a bumbling, losing catastrophe of a person.  Josh just used my speed to collect letters and happily build words while I rushed through mine.  Sneaky strategist!

On a joyous trip to Barnes and Noble one Monday evening to buy this alluring word game that I’ve been wanting for weeks, I see this:

Apples so close to bananas.

Apples so close to bananas.

Scrabble Apple

Scrabble Apple

Scrabble straight up made Scrabble Apple in response to, what I assume is, the striking similarity of  Bananagram letter tiles to Scrabble letter tiles.  Scrabble is apparently so offended by Bananagrams, that it makes a game that resembles the packaging and gameplay of Bananagrams.  Oh and it’s $5 cheaper than Bananagrams as well.  What does Scrabble Apple mean anyway?  What do apples have to do with anagrams?  Nothing, but they do have a relationship with bananas via the “Apples and Bananas” song, sung by many but none better than Raffi.  Banonos!