Civilization!

I'm pretty sure that we've mentioned that we have Civilization in board game format. We've played it probably half a dozen times and it is quite fun, thought a little long (this game was a little quicker at 6 1/2 hours including a supper break [chili & buns, cupcakes & brownies for dessert]). It is based on the computer game, with some things removed to save on time—can you even imagine trying to calculate the output of 21 squares for each city you had, yikes!

We played at Anthony & Jana's (Olson) house. We'd never been over there before. It's a nice little four-plex somewhat close to downtown (maybe a 25 minute walk to AUC). Anthony works at AUC. He used to work with Ryan before Webstylers stole him away :) 4 weeks ago.

Ryan's wife Melissa didn't come because she was busy packing. They are just finalizing the details on a new condo. They have been waiting a long time to get it. It is just finished being built (well landscaping, etc. probably isn't finished yet) though they have been planning to buy it since last fall sometime. Right now they live in an apartment even a little closer to downtown than the Olsons (maybe 20 min.) but are going to be moving about 10 minutes further NW than we live. I don't envy their daily commute (she also works downtown - does childcare or something at the Eau Claire YMCA—she actually has looked after Michael's [my boss] son a few times there; such a small world).

Civilization is a lot of fun, we should see if we can't find the time when we come this summer. Have I mentioned that my courses (already posted my first bit tonight) finish up the first week of August? By the 6th I'll be all done. Oh yeah, I got all my grades (A- x2 & B for this past semester) and am currently sitting just above 3.5. I'm very happy with that. I'd like to aim just a bit higher for this semester and finish off this program strong.