Friday, April 6, 2012

It's Been a Ferry Long Time

Polly's chess traveling road show is on it's way.  I've made my 3rd annual appearance at the Grand Pacific Open in Victoria, British Columbia.  I debated whether or not I wanted to go.  I've not been playing much chess this year.  My addiction to Thursday Night Cracktion has ceased for the time being.  I did made my 36th appearance at the USATE where I played some really crappy chess on Saturday and Sunday.  I only redeemed myself with two wins on Monday.  I don't know if I was too embarrassed or just plain fed up to even blog about the tournament.

Off on a tangent there. Back to resuming my travels.  Despite my life being filled with non-chess things such as cycling and Tae Kwon Do, I decided I missed the enjoyment of getting away for awhile and playing a little chess.  If all else fails, I know I will enjoy seeing old friends and meeting some new ones.
Plane to see, Polly's leaving on a jet plane.

I flew to Seattle yesterday, via Chicago.  For a change I got out to Seattle in the early evening instead of the middle of the night.  By the time I got to my hotel my body was telling me it was 10:30 pm, but it was only 7:30.  I couldn't exactly go to bed.  Also I've been participating in the 100 Day Challenge.  This challenge simply is doing some sort of exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.  I don't count wandering around airport terminals as real exercise.  Yesterday I had not done any real exercise, so I took a nice walk in Seattle.  I carried my little point and shoot camera with me.  Damn, some of these pictures are as good as some of the ones I take with my fancy DSLR.

Space Needle

Seattle City skyline at night.

Today I had a very uneventful ferry ride from Seattle to Victoria.  Thankfully no detours like two years ago.   I sat with friends I had met last year at the tournament.  It's a bit colder this year since Easter is earlier this year.  I did not spent quite so much time on the outside deck taking pictures.

Snow Capped Mountains


 Baby, it's cold outside!

Not the best shot I've had taken of me.  I didn't even bother to look to see if the picture was any good or not.  It's one of my classic closed eyes shots that usually would be rejected and retaken until my eyes are open.  However I didn't want to make the kind stranger do another shot.

I'm enjoying the quiet of my hotel room at the moment.  The lobby is overflowing with little chess playing munchkins.  They have a kids event before the main event starts this evening.  Canadian scholastic events aren't much different then United States events.  Lots of kids running around and frazzled parents near by.

My first game is at 6:00 pm.  I've got a few hours to kill before hand.  I suppose I could do some tactics on Shredder.  Nah! The sun is out.  Time to take a walk!!