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The Great 2004 Labor Day Backgammon Tournament And Spaghetti Feed 09/04/04 |
After karate class last Thursday, I asked if anyone would be interested in coming over to the house for a spaghetti feed and backgammon tournament. This was met with great interest, and so "The Great 2004 Labor Day Spaghetti Feed And Backgammon Tournament" was on.Party was a lot of fun. Had 13 people come with 8 playing backgammon. Of COURSE nothing ran on time - mostly the chef's fault! I started chopping and organizing at 4:15 - with great help from Marissa - but we didn't eat til 7 but I had a lot of fun and we had tons of muncies so no one minded. We did finish the movie Top Gun on time, however, as designated on the schedual so at least we got caught up at some point!
I lost in the first round against Mike Houdek, won in the second round against Hannah Knoettner, and won in the third round against Rick Downs. That brought me to play against Colin for the championship! He was stunned that he made it that far (and actually beat the guy that beat me!). I used that to my advantage and ran my mouth the whole time to throw him off. I didn't have to do that as he really is a beginner but even a beginner can hit some hot runs and just kill you. Here is my original schedual:
- 5:30 - 6:00: Arrival, organization, game paring assignments, rules, watching the chef, first drink to the Cardinal.
- 6:00 - 7:00: Dinner, lies and whining, second drink to the Cardinal.
- 7:00 - 7:30: First and second round eliminations.
- 7:30 - 8:00: Third round eliminations - best points out of 2 games.
- 8:00 - 9:00: Championship match - best points out of 3 games.
- 9:00 - 11:00: Open play, lies and whining, movie (Top Gun), third and final drink to the Cardinal.
- 11:00 - whenever: some really horrible movie for the whiners and diehards.
I took a bunch of pictures but didn't notice until the next day that the auto flash had been disabled whereas I just thought there was enough light. Sorry about that, folks, but what can I say?
The "chef" hard at work. Note the glass of Pinot Grigio at the ready! Preparing for the "The Great 2004 Labor Day Backgammon Tournament And Spaghetti Feed 09/04/04".
Mike Houdek contributed 4 different kinds of cheeses and crackers so it was only fitting that he set it all up! Mike won the kick off round 1 game between he and I.
Julieanna, Emily, and Hannah Knoettner, and David Houdek had a chess tournament going in the study. Not shown is Marissa who also loves to play but must have been out helping me organize something. Unfortunately, none of the pictures taken of Marissa came out. She is the phantom player... The "Quote of the Day" on the white board in the corner reads: "Don't hate your enemy; it clouds your judgement" - Machavielle. How fitting for this tournament - and other affairs of life...
Colin arrived from work and was ready to party. He and I fought it out for the grand championship. It must have been the coke and snack that primed him up for it...
Mike and Kim Houdek getting ready to play. The chef should have stayed in the kitchen rather than playing photographer - flash not working and jerky hand. Sorry, guys!
Rick Downs and his brother Galen had a grand time. Rick tried to bribe Marissa with a large frozen pepperoni pizza not to beat him too badly at backgammon. I told him that there was no appeasing a woman and particularly a woman out for blood! She beat him to death. Nice try on the pizza, though, Rick...
Kim Houdek and Colin battle it out in their game out on the deck. Kim thought she could throw him off but it didn't work: Colin won anyway.
Julieanna Knoettner and Rick Downs had a couple of pre tournament games with Galen adding commentary.
We had 4 backgammon boards going at once - two of them here at the dining room table.
David Houdek and Rick Downs fight it out in a second round elimination match with Rick winning and moving on to face off with me in the 3rd round eliminations.
Hannah Knoettner lends her support to Rick Downs. Must have been what it took for him to make the win over David who was from what I heard throwing pretty hot dice for awhile.
Hannah Knoettner and Galen Downs winding down the evening waiting for the championship match to start.