= Such Stupid Things =

Power Grid is the new board game hottness. We've only played it through a few times now, but I'm hooked. I especially enjoy how the game quickly fosters discussion about our nation's energy policy - all the more pertinent given AJ's recent job offer from Chevron. His employment is a shining beacon of hope for a po' graduate students everywhere.

And speaking of petroleum, this is the probably my favorite news item from the past few weeks: First Iraqi bird guide shows rebirth of marshes. Clearly, it's several days old by this point, but it made me smile so I felt like posting it anyway. I never really understood birding as a hobby, but my dad was pretty into it back in the day. I wonder if any danger-loving Westerners are waiting for their shot to cross some rare, Middle-Eastern waterfowl off ther lifelist. Probably for now, it's best left to our men in uniform.