akhare

IIRC Richard's Moscito 2000 document described a scheme similar to Martson's methods. Basically, 1st step = RPs, 4♦ = terminator puppet and step+n = various RKCs based on length -- right?

I think there was a discussion a while back on the relative merits of QPs (A=3, K=2, Q=1) vs. controls (A=2, K=1) and the consensus was that QPs are superior method. In conjunction with the latest Moscito 1♦ positive (and other SP responses), they are probably the best symmetric relay based strong 1♣ response structure, but adopting anything new takes time and effort :P...

Here's a sequence using a similar symmetric relay scheme: 1♣ - 1♦ 16+ artificial forcing; 0-7 1♥ - 2♦ 18+ artificial forcing; 5-7 w/ 4+♥ 2♥ - 2N Relay; ♥+♣ 3♣ - 3♦ Relay; Only 4♥ (reversor) 3♥ - 4N Relay; 3-4-0-6 exactly w/ 1 control 6♣

Totally agree -- it's a pity that the theater wasn't even quarter full :P. The only consolation is that there were few more laughs than it than for "Snakes on a plane". The fake previews were hilarious too -- I really enjoyed the "split" scene in Thanksgiving -- that was truly "inspired" (but what else would you expect from the guy who gave us "Hostel"? BTW, some people seem to think that Death Proof was weaker (and even boring), but I disagree...

That's exactly what I did during the recent NABC trip ;). My impressions echo those voiced on this thread -- it's short on follow up details, competitive auction discussions etc. In summary, don't feel compelled to go buy the book unless you are a system junkie and be ready to be disappointed if you do...

I will be in St. Louis from 3/9 - 3/12 (having SIL in town made it a cinch to convince spouse LOL) and intend to play in a few sessions. Are there any forum members looking for partners? Also, even if you already taken, it will be great for meet those of you who will be there in person...

Confucius sez: Keanu movies are like Ying-Yang -- you either go "Whoa" or "Woe" (ducking for cover)...

I saw it last week and thought it was pretty good, but nothing to rave about. BTW, while we are on the topic of movies that deal with faith, what do people things about the following: 1) The Ninth Configuration: I thought it was very good, but the last 2 minutes ruined it for me (may be absent from some versions) 2) Breaking the Waves 3) Babette's feast Also, what do people think about "Au hasard Balthazar"?

You do raise an interesting point -- is it possible that there's something in our brain chemistry that pre-disposes us to belief in the supernatural? It has to be said that the religion "meme" has had phenomenal success in our species...

"Shadows of the mind" is interesting reading, but I thought that his previous book (Emperor's New Mind) was much better and much more rooted in objectivity. He's a pretty persusive speaker too, but IMO the microtubule idea is conjecture at best. Come to think of it, it might be time to expound my own theory that quantum interaction in the human heart gives rise to the "soul" (whatever that means)?

There was an article in a recent Scientific American about a study that raised the question of whether all animals have an innate canonical moral frame of reference. Apparently, chimps seem to be capable of sensing whether the reward (and by deprivation thereof, punishment) was proportional to the "good" action (presumably obeying a command or performing a trick in this case). Apparently they were distraught if one chimp was say given a banana and the other a less favourite fruit for performing the same action.

What are those? I should look for them under the treadmills :(. On a serious note, I am self confessed running junkie when it comes to using the gym...

Well said -- technically though, for the believers, the soul is already immortal "out of the box" and so there's really nothing to do :(.

Thanks for the pointer -- I love NPR, but hadn't (yet) heard of the program. On a completely tangential note, I am intrigued by people who manage to use iPods and other personal listening devices while working out. For me it's either: 1) Too dangerous to run with headphones outside. OR 2) The damn headphones keep coming off when running indoors and it's too distracting anyway. So, my choices are limited to blaring radio and not too many people at the gym are into NPR :(...

ROFL -- some of those chick comics were really hilarious. The sad part of course is that someone actually believes that the "heretics" will actually burn in hell. The cult of Kali was pretty well done -- they based it partly on the historical "thugs" (or Thugee if you will) and borrowed some inspiration from the legend of an encounter between Bodhisatva (an earlier incarnation of Buddha) and AnguliMala (literally garland of fingers).

I completely agree w/ the observations about the book. I am a big fan of Richard Dawkins, but was initially leery of reading the book because I thought it might be too strident. However, it does make for some pretty compelling reading -- not that the readers of the book will be swayed one way or the other :D.

I have only been through the introduction and a couple of chapters and almost feel compelled to stand up and shout "bravo!!!". Eloquent, humourous, precise, insightful and eminently readable -- when was the last time you could say that about a bridge systems book?

Dude... I think I've been accused of cheating twice in the last week :P haha Sorry, but couldn't resist the following pun: Any sufficiently advanced expert play is indistinguisable from cheating (to novices) (with apologies to "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" :D)...

Congratulations to the Ozzies!!! Hopefully there will be a little more than pure academic interest in the next two tests...

Note that I did not make any mention of the result and the only reason for this post was that I was astonished that I was the only person who had made the bid thus far. Also, I think it's losing bridge to P on this hand because partner has a chance to bid. Why would you expect pard to bid anything if at all? If he isn't a minimum he may bid. If he is a minimum then why do you want to be in 5m going down when 4♥ is likely also down? Why is 4♥ likely to go down if he has a minimum hand? Do you really want to defend 4♥ if partner holds a weak hand w/ say 4+ cards in either minor? Besides, why speculate on what partner holds when the course of action is pretty clear cut with the cards that you hold?

Note that I did not make any mention of the result and the only reason for this post was that I was astonished that I was the only person who had made the bid thus far. Also, I think it's losing bridge to P on this hand because partner has a chance to bid. Why would you expect pard to bid anything if at all?

It's good to see a near unanimous verdict for the 5♣ bid that I made. The only reason for posting this hand is that I played it while flying back home (yes -- at 36000 feet B)) and at that time, all other people had let the opps play in 4♥. BTW, I didn't have to worry about a decision over 5♥ because my (randomly picked up) pard decided to bid 5♠ with his hand (suffice it to say the his hand isn't remotely close to making such a bid). Luckily, he gave up on ♠ after the opps cracked it and I pulled to 6♣...

IMPs, all vulnerable, you deal and hold: Void X A9XXXX AQTXXX The auction proceeds: 1♦ - (1♥) - 1♠ - (4♥) What's your call?

I completely forgot Brazil -- the 3 DVD Criterion version is especially memorable and is a must for another serious film buff. I also loved Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas -- the movie is a perfect visualization of the hilarious book. Cronenberg's films are very interesting too -- I really loved the The Naked Lunch. Here are a few other favourites: The Big Sleep Maltese Falcon The Wild Bunch High Noon The Vengeance Trilogy (Oldboy, Sympathy for...) Diabolique (the original French Version) Rosemary's Baby The Exorcist Suspiria The Evil Dead Full Metal Jacket All Quiet on the Western Front Ghost in the Shell

Off the top of my head: Chinatown Dr. Strangelove 2001 : A Space Odyssey Blade Runner Solaris Seventh Seal Rashamon Ikiru Seven Samurai 8 1/2 Godfather Goodfellas Pulp Fiction Reservoir Dogs Apu Trilogy (Satyagit Ray) Pyaasa (Guru Dutt) The Decalogue (Krzysztof Kieslowski) Duck Soup Double Indemnity The Third Man M (Fritz Lang) Touch of Evil Citizen Kane Many Hitchcock films Wages of Fear Rules of the Game The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie