Turns out all you need for a really fun birthday party is some homemade pizza and cake, Dutch Blitz, an amazing come from behind victory, and three good friends.
Ben and Vivi invited me over Sunday night to celebrate our birthdays (Ben’s is the 17th also). She made three pizzas that were delicious. Ben had made a tasty carrot cake, complete with cream cheese frosting. I brought ice cream. I don’t know about them, but my stomach was quite full when we were done eating.
Vivi and Emi learned how to play Dutch Blitz. By the end, they were both playing correctly: loud and aggressive. Emi needs another game to come back from her devastating loss. That’s what happens when you can’t tell the difference between a 6 and a 9. Vivi held her own, so she’ll be ready to go the next time they head up to Ohio.
We played to 100. Near the end, I had 60 and Ben had 90. I knew it wasn’t likely, but I saw the possibility for victory as long as I could keep Ben from blitzing. I blitzed the next hand, and I was fortunate to see that Ben had quite a few remaining in his pile. I counted my cards and had laid out a respectable 20. Who would have believed it when Ben ended up with 99 on that turn. I had one more chance. I would have been happy with a tie, it would be a good present for both of us. The final hand was intense. I was laying out card after card, and suddenly I noticed my pile was gone. I called blitz again and saw Ben with a good many of his left. The pile of cards I laid out was bigger than the cards I had left, so I knew I was over 100. The question was about having enough. Poor Ben, he ended up with a -2. In an incredible match of wit and speed, the elder came out ahead 104 to 97. You had to be there to believe it!
-j
ps> Yes, I really turn 30 on Tuesday. I can’t believe it myself.
I'm Jason, and I like to write.