Got an email from the Spelling Bee folks today...there are 47 people
signed up for the Spelling Bee that will take place in 2 weeks times...
I'm
kind of bummed...I have to be at the hotel where it's being held at
8:30. 8:30! Normally I don't get up until 9 am! That is going to be a
killer!
There's a Facebook page where photos and brief
bios of all these folks are uploaded. I'll be facing lawyers, other
professional people, some who have won spelling bees in their home
town...
So I'm not sanguine this time...but I will definitely spend the entire year studying so that I can win out next year.
This year - it will all be about gaining experience, meeting people, hopefully networking.
I'm also going to be wearing my Scrabble t-shirt, so I hope I'll get a few people to join my Scrabble club out of this...
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Studying away...
I'm house-sitting for my sister at the moment.... and loving it.
It's also giving me time to study my dictionry. I'm going through the entire dictionary and writing down each word - regardless of whether I know it or not. Supposed to be increasing "Muscle memory." Finished the As, on to the Bs.
It's also giving me time to study my dictionry. I'm going through the entire dictionary and writing down each word - regardless of whether I know it or not. Supposed to be increasing "Muscle memory." Finished the As, on to the Bs.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
%^$&&##$ #@@##$$ @@**&!!!!!
I was 6 games away from getting to .500, now I'm 12 games away and fed up.
Lost 6 games in a row, all because I could never, ever get any decent tiles. Each rack, 6 vowels and 1 consonant, or vice versa. Turn in your letters and get worse ones.
Extremely humbling, as it kind of confirms what I'd suspected...all my wins weren't necessarily because I was 100 points better than my opponent, or more strategically savvy, but all because I was getting good letters and my opponents were.
I'm definitely giving it up now until after August 11. I must study for the Spelling Bee!
Lost 6 games in a row, all because I could never, ever get any decent tiles. Each rack, 6 vowels and 1 consonant, or vice versa. Turn in your letters and get worse ones.
Extremely humbling, as it kind of confirms what I'd suspected...all my wins weren't necessarily because I was 100 points better than my opponent, or more strategically savvy, but all because I was getting good letters and my opponents were.
I'm definitely giving it up now until after August 11. I must study for the Spelling Bee!
Monday, July 16, 2012
I'm 9 games below .500!
Yes, I know I said I was going to give up playing Scrabble at Wordbiz until after August 11 - which is the day of the Cheyenne AARP spelling bee. Yes, I know I said I was going to study seriously for the Spelling Bee and take up scrabble again afterwards.
But what can I say. I'm obsessed with getting to a .500 record...once I do that, I can stop playing until after August 11!
I've played 697 games total, over the course of the last year and a half or so. I have 344 wins and 353 losses.
Once I got into the 200s and 300s, I was always about 30 games below .500, until I mounted this current charge over the last month or so which has seen me get it to only 9 games below the even mark. From t his point on, I expect to go up in wins...I don't want to have played a thousand games and only be at 100 games over .500. If I play 500 more games, I want it to be 400-100 at the least!
Well, we'll see.
But what can I say. I'm obsessed with getting to a .500 record...once I do that, I can stop playing until after August 11!
I've played 697 games total, over the course of the last year and a half or so. I have 344 wins and 353 losses.
Once I got into the 200s and 300s, I was always about 30 games below .500, until I mounted this current charge over the last month or so which has seen me get it to only 9 games below the even mark. From t his point on, I expect to go up in wins...I don't want to have played a thousand games and only be at 100 games over .500. If I play 500 more games, I want it to be 400-100 at the least!
Well, we'll see.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
United Arab Emirates: GSC: A way with words
From Kaleej Times: GSC: A way with words
Scrabble enthusiasts from across the region descended on the Etisalat Academy in Mirdiff on Friday to begin the two-day Gulf Scrabble Championships (GSC).
Still going strong in its 22nd year, the GSC attracts a mix of experienced players and emerging talents. This year, 30 players are battling it out for the crown.
Nikhil Soneja, GSC organiser and competitor, said the challenge of tournament play is addictive for avid Scrabble fans.
“It’s a challenge; it’s one way to fire up those grey cells,” said Soneja, who’s been playing the game since 1993. “In some ways, once you get playing, you find it difficult to stop, so it’s just endless entertainment.”
Scrabble may be considered a hobby for most, but in tournaments the game takes on a new twist. Each turn is timed, special tiles are used and a computer is on standby containing the latest version of the dictionary to settle disputes.
In the end, though, success in the game comes down to quick thinking and a good memory. However, understanding the words that you place on the board isn’t a pre-requisite.
“As far as possible, we try to learn as many words with the meanings while sometimes you just have to recognise words without knowing the meaning,” explained Soneja. “That’s why Scrabble has been taken up in some countries where people don’t speak English and don’t know the meanings. Obviously, it’s a bit easier for someone who is English speaking, and it’s a bit easier to remember the words when you know the meaning. I think our champ is the one who probably knows the most words — his word base is probably three times what you would say normally.”
While some players return year-on-year for the GSC, the transitory nature of populations in this region means experienced hands often leave the circuit to return to their home countries. To combat this, organisers are looking towards the youth.
Soneja said: “A problem we’re trying to remedy is that in the Gulf, people often move back home, so what we’re trying to do is target the schools. It’s really important and kids are really good at Scrabble. So we’re very excited about that because it’s the next generation of Scrabble players. And, of course, it spreads, because they talk to their friends about Scrabble. And teachers are really happy because it’s a good way to apply yourself, and even the competition is a good learning tool.”
The two youngest competitors at the GSC — 15-year-old K. Sudharsan Surya and 12-year-old Sanchit Kapoor — are already avid players despite only recently taking up the game.
“We’ve been playing for about six months and this is our first senior tournament. We got beaten pretty badly in the first games but it’s a learning curve,” said Sudharsan.
This year’s tournament features a prize fund of Dh15,000 and comes to an end today. Khaleej Times, Jashanmal Books and Etisalat Academy are supporting the GSC this year.
Scrabble enthusiasts from across the region descended on the Etisalat Academy in Mirdiff on Friday to begin the two-day Gulf Scrabble Championships (GSC).
Still going strong in its 22nd year, the GSC attracts a mix of experienced players and emerging talents. This year, 30 players are battling it out for the crown.
Nikhil Soneja, GSC organiser and competitor, said the challenge of tournament play is addictive for avid Scrabble fans.“It’s a challenge; it’s one way to fire up those grey cells,” said Soneja, who’s been playing the game since 1993. “In some ways, once you get playing, you find it difficult to stop, so it’s just endless entertainment.”
Scrabble may be considered a hobby for most, but in tournaments the game takes on a new twist. Each turn is timed, special tiles are used and a computer is on standby containing the latest version of the dictionary to settle disputes.
In the end, though, success in the game comes down to quick thinking and a good memory. However, understanding the words that you place on the board isn’t a pre-requisite.
“As far as possible, we try to learn as many words with the meanings while sometimes you just have to recognise words without knowing the meaning,” explained Soneja. “That’s why Scrabble has been taken up in some countries where people don’t speak English and don’t know the meanings. Obviously, it’s a bit easier for someone who is English speaking, and it’s a bit easier to remember the words when you know the meaning. I think our champ is the one who probably knows the most words — his word base is probably three times what you would say normally.”
While some players return year-on-year for the GSC, the transitory nature of populations in this region means experienced hands often leave the circuit to return to their home countries. To combat this, organisers are looking towards the youth.
Soneja said: “A problem we’re trying to remedy is that in the Gulf, people often move back home, so what we’re trying to do is target the schools. It’s really important and kids are really good at Scrabble. So we’re very excited about that because it’s the next generation of Scrabble players. And, of course, it spreads, because they talk to their friends about Scrabble. And teachers are really happy because it’s a good way to apply yourself, and even the competition is a good learning tool.”
The two youngest competitors at the GSC — 15-year-old K. Sudharsan Surya and 12-year-old Sanchit Kapoor — are already avid players despite only recently taking up the game.
“We’ve been playing for about six months and this is our first senior tournament. We got beaten pretty badly in the first games but it’s a learning curve,” said Sudharsan.
This year’s tournament features a prize fund of Dh15,000 and comes to an end today. Khaleej Times, Jashanmal Books and Etisalat Academy are supporting the GSC this year.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
World No.10 scrabble player Richards due on Tuesday
From the Pakistan Observer: World No.10 scrabble player Richards due on Tuesday
Karachi—World number ten scrabble player Alastair Richards is due to arrive here on Tuesday afternoon from Australia to play in practice and challenge matches here, Pakistan Scrabble Association (PSA) announced on Tuesday.
19-year-old scrabble sensation Richards is coming with his mother Karen Richards, who is the chairperson of World Youth Scrabble Programme.
“Originally Richards and Karen were invited for Pakistan Mind Game Championships but despite its postponement they are decide to visit to Pakistan, “ PSC Secretary General Tariq Pervez said.
He said Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP) is collaborating in his to Pakistan.
“Its a historic occasion for scrabble players and game follower in Pakistan,” he added. During their stay in Pakistan karen Richards will be conducting Workshop on scrabble and Alastir Richards will feature in “Koala Scrabble Challenge” on July 14 and 15 at a local hotel
Karachi—World number ten scrabble player Alastair Richards is due to arrive here on Tuesday afternoon from Australia to play in practice and challenge matches here, Pakistan Scrabble Association (PSA) announced on Tuesday.
19-year-old scrabble sensation Richards is coming with his mother Karen Richards, who is the chairperson of World Youth Scrabble Programme.
“Originally Richards and Karen were invited for Pakistan Mind Game Championships but despite its postponement they are decide to visit to Pakistan, “ PSC Secretary General Tariq Pervez said.
He said Mind Sports Association of Pakistan (MSAP) is collaborating in his to Pakistan.
“Its a historic occasion for scrabble players and game follower in Pakistan,” he added. During their stay in Pakistan karen Richards will be conducting Workshop on scrabble and Alastir Richards will feature in “Koala Scrabble Challenge” on July 14 and 15 at a local hotel
Monday, July 9, 2012
A little glimmer of light
I'm reading American Bee: The National Spelling Bee and the Culture of Word Nerds. The author tossed out a few words in the introductory chapter, which I looked up in my Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary 11th edition. They weren't in there.
So I went to the AARP Spelling Bee website, and confirmed that all words used in the upcoming spelling bee will be coming from the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary 11th edition.
So I don't have to worry about a ridiculous word like BOEOTIAN (dull; obtuse; without cultural refinement.)
I DO have to worry about words like RIJSTTAFEL - an Indonesian culinary dish
Sheesh!
So I went to the AARP Spelling Bee website, and confirmed that all words used in the upcoming spelling bee will be coming from the Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary 11th edition.
So I don't have to worry about a ridiculous word like BOEOTIAN (dull; obtuse; without cultural refinement.)
Sheesh!
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