Well, okay, it's just another year. But then the years tend to pile up and time accelerates as one ages. I could explain why but don't take my word for it...ask any senior. If you're lucky you'll eventually discover the truth of the statement. (It's the difference between intelligence and wisdom. The latter only comes with the passage of time.) The river of time is a slippery thing which is difficult to grasp and tackle to the ground.
Do not get lost in the blaring of horns and the raucous bouts of laughter that herald in the new year. They are but symbols of youth and insecurity and false hopes. Instead wrap yourself in the security of the sounds of silence.
And remember: Under this thin veneer of civilization, we are all savages.
Oh, and another thing, HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
FOCUS & DISCIPLINE
I keep reminding myself that this is a Wizard blog. I am tempted towards comments on philosophy, cosmology, politics, religion, et al but I must focus on matters related to "Wizard" in particular and games generally.
I am also tempted to repeat much of what is available elsewhere. This requires some discipline on my part. To avoid being repetitious I will simply try to direct you to sources where you can find information rather than regurgitate the same data here.
The main source of information for Wizard-related data is the Wizard website at www.wizardcards.com. There you will find a wealth of information although you have to know how to research the site to find it. Of course you can always use the "Search" tool but it's quicker to use the boxes located at the top of the Portal Page. The "Bulletin Board" box is especially vital. It will provide access to forums such as:
(i) History of the Wizard Card Game
(ii) Tournaments
(iii) The Top 10
(iv) Newsletters
(v) Wizard Guidebook
Each of these forums is worth investigating but the Newsletters in particular are an excellent source of material that I am tempted to repeat here but will discipline myself not to do so. However I do recommend them for anyone interested in learning more about Wizard's past and future direction.
* If you have questions or suggestions for future blogs please do not hesitate to provide them.
I am also tempted to repeat much of what is available elsewhere. This requires some discipline on my part. To avoid being repetitious I will simply try to direct you to sources where you can find information rather than regurgitate the same data here.
The main source of information for Wizard-related data is the Wizard website at www.wizardcards.com. There you will find a wealth of information although you have to know how to research the site to find it. Of course you can always use the "Search" tool but it's quicker to use the boxes located at the top of the Portal Page. The "Bulletin Board" box is especially vital. It will provide access to forums such as:
(i) History of the Wizard Card Game
(ii) Tournaments
(iii) The Top 10
(iv) Newsletters
(v) Wizard Guidebook
Each of these forums is worth investigating but the Newsletters in particular are an excellent source of material that I am tempted to repeat here but will discipline myself not to do so. However I do recommend them for anyone interested in learning more about Wizard's past and future direction.
* If you have questions or suggestions for future blogs please do not hesitate to provide them.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
You Could be in Germany in 2010
Two trips to Germany are up for grabs. Simply place in the top 2 in the Online Wizard Tournament and your airfare and accomodations are covered as you represent North America at the Wizard World Finals in Germany in October.
There is no entry fee, anyone can enter and your chances of winning are great because we expect a field of fewer than 50 participants.
The Tournament begins on January 1, 2010 and runs until the end of May. All the details can be found at the Wizard site: www.wizardcards.com or for answers to specific questions e-mail Ken Fisher at kfisher@bellnet.ca.
This is a no-brainer because it's great fun and the chances for winning are super.
Don't be a chump or a lump and deal yourself in.
It's the only game in town. (well, not really, but it is the Best game in town.)
There is no entry fee, anyone can enter and your chances of winning are great because we expect a field of fewer than 50 participants.
The Tournament begins on January 1, 2010 and runs until the end of May. All the details can be found at the Wizard site: www.wizardcards.com or for answers to specific questions e-mail Ken Fisher at kfisher@bellnet.ca.
This is a no-brainer because it's great fun and the chances for winning are super.
Don't be a chump or a lump and deal yourself in.
It's the only game in town. (well, not really, but it is the Best game in town.)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
The Christmas Story
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
The Shepherds and the Angels
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."
So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
The Genie is out of the Bottle.
The genie is out of the bottle. There is no turning back. We are committed to moving to the web-based system for future play of the Wizard card game on the internet. Technical advances have made it imperative that changes be made if Wizard is to move beyond the current outdated system. Change is often painful but we request all players to cooperate in helping us to make the transition as quickly and smoothly as possible. Try the beta program and provide feedback to the programmer so that revisions and fixes can be made quickly.
Don't forget that starting on January 1, 2009 online play will count towards winning 2 free trips to the 2010 World Wizard Tournament in Germany. Although there is no fee you are required to register in order for your scores to count.
Don't forget that starting on January 1, 2009 online play will count towards winning 2 free trips to the 2010 World Wizard Tournament in Germany. Although there is no fee you are required to register in order for your scores to count.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Alas and alack, woe is me.
I believe Charles Dickens wrote in his classic novel, "A Christmas Carol" that Christmas is the time of year when, "Need is most sorely felt". Many of us are fortunate to have more than enough on our plates, a roof over our heads and a warm bed. The festive season affords us an opportunity to be excessive in our enjoyment of our electronic toys, mechanical devices, exotic food and drinks and all the other things that go with the "good life".
Unfortunately we are in the minority as millions strive simply to survive from day to day. Even in our wealthy Western civilizations the needy are everywhere...not only in your town or city but likely on your own street. How are parents who are struggling to pay the rent and feed their family expected to satisfy the expectations of their young children for Santa's arrival with a sleigh full of goodies? There is no simple solution to this conundrum, however I do know this: Many people have told me about the many hours of family fun that the Wizard card game has provided. For about $10 the game can bring a family together and both amuse and challenge them over and over again. It's unfortunate that most of the new expensive electronic devices tend to isolate individuals and often replace reality for a fantasy land which can only afford temporary escape from the worries and problems of the real world.
I believe Charles Dickens wrote in his classic novel, "A Christmas Carol" that Christmas is the time of year when, "Need is most sorely felt". Many of us are fortunate to have more than enough on our plates, a roof over our heads and a warm bed. The festive season affords us an opportunity to be excessive in our enjoyment of our electronic toys, mechanical devices, exotic food and drinks and all the other things that go with the "good life".
Unfortunately we are in the minority as millions strive simply to survive from day to day. Even in our wealthy Western civilizations the needy are everywhere...not only in your town or city but likely on your own street. How are parents who are struggling to pay the rent and feed their family expected to satisfy the expectations of their young children for Santa's arrival with a sleigh full of goodies? There is no simple solution to this conundrum, however I do know this: Many people have told me about the many hours of family fun that the Wizard card game has provided. For about $10 the game can bring a family together and both amuse and challenge them over and over again. It's unfortunate that most of the new expensive electronic devices tend to isolate individuals and often replace reality for a fantasy land which can only afford temporary escape from the worries and problems of the real world.
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Wizard Welcomes 2010
The 5-month-long Wizard Tournament begins Jan 1, 2010. Prizes include airfare and accomodations for the October World Wizard Championship to be held in Germany.
You must register to participate. Visit the Wizard site for details.
www.wizardcards.com
Subscribe to the monthly Wizard Newsletter. Current subscribers must re-subscribe and new subscriptions are welcome. Visit the wizard website for details.
www.wizardcards.com
I will take this opportunity to thank all of you who have supported Wizard throughout the years and to wish you all the best for the New Year and beyond.
You must register to participate. Visit the Wizard site for details.
www.wizardcards.com
Subscribe to the monthly Wizard Newsletter. Current subscribers must re-subscribe and new subscriptions are welcome. Visit the wizard website for details.
www.wizardcards.com
I will take this opportunity to thank all of you who have supported Wizard throughout the years and to wish you all the best for the New Year and beyond.
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