Here's a #boardgame hot take for you. Those 50 or 100 point tokens that come in some games to indicate lapping the points tracker are just there to taunt you.

Tomorrow, my 8th graders begin the unit on US imperialism post CW up to WWI. I'm hoping they're really paying attention when we do the Roosevelt Corollary, the Panama Canal, and the Sp-Am War. I've just seen the Economist call what's happening now the "Donroe Doctrine." History always matters.

I'm going to try to post after each of my monthly game nights. Last night was Blue Lagoon (3p, I won, rating 10) and Lords of Waterdeep (3p, I won, rating 8). Great game night.

I will be participating in this tonight. Unsure of beverage as of yet. Tolkien Birthday Toast – The Tolkien Society share.google/X2KzZ3oWq7uT...

2026 goals: be more intentional about how I use my time. Also pray more, worry less.

A good read for Christmastide. www.plough.com/en/topics/cu...

@boardgamehottakes.bsky.social just finished an Everdell game. My daughter got the dungeon and used it to bury critters and play higher point constructions to not go over 15. She also got the ministering to miscreants special event which gave her 27 points. Crazy combo. Have you ever done that?

It's not like anyone would be surprised by this. States should be ashamed. www.axios.com/2025/12/14/s...

Tomorrow begins one of the best weeks in a male teacher's school year: the week of wearing all the ugly Christmas ties you've somehow acquired over the years. Will add pictures as the week goes along.

I don't do a lot of hot takes, but here's one. Rob Inglis' recordings of Tolkien >>> Andy Serkis' recordings of Tolkien.

TIL that sautering is not a thing. Solder is the real word. Weird that the American pronunciation is so deceiving on this one.

Excellente, Jackson!

Muy bien, Liliana, mi hija!

@rollingreggie.bsky.social loved the draft. Both great lists. Here's mine: QB FoTR the trick taking game RB Love Letter TE Lost Ruins of Arnak WR Time's Up Title Recall Flex Dominion (all) Coach Catan

@boardgamehottakes.bsky.social no hard feelings whatsoever, but I had taken Creature Comforts off my wish list after what you said. Have duly put it back on now. Most of my gaming time is with family and I love dice placement, so I think this one can be a hit for us.

@rollingreggie.bsky.social loving the new podcast, brother!

Happy Hobbit Day everyone!

@boardgamehottakes.bsky.social I've been playing Architects of the W. K. recently and been thinking about how if you trigger the end, you still get one more turn. Seems a big advantage to me, especially compared to many games in which triggering the end means just finishing out the round. Thoughts?

@boardgamehottakes.bsky.social random q, but is Chris's epic playlist for Pan Am available out there like on Spotify or something? Would love to use it if possible next time we play it at my game group.

@boardgamehottakes.bsky.social I always love your top games lists. I liked the box cover art ranking, and I think the way you ranked games this year is the best way to do it. Overall, your pod has me determined to eventually play and own at least one game by Simone Luciani.

If there were a medal given for number of books and board games per square foot of your house, I'd be on that podium.

@insightunseen.bsky.social yay, I will get notified about your posts now. Will make it much easier to interact

Just been so sad about Diogo Jota all day. I still can't believe it's true. #ynwa

Reckoner came on today while I was getting some work done, and I realized I can't imagine a world without this song. youtu.be/2FMP-9bn9N8?...

Been back in MD this week visiting family. Lovely time but fighting tons of traffic and 80 degrees before 7am reminding me of why I don't live here anymore.

Ok, this was a real labor of love over the last several months. And you can see I am not a graphic designer. But I assigned my 8th grade science class to make a periodic table of something they are into. I decided I would make one of most of my game collection.

The number of mission impossible movies makes me feel very old.

Picked up my copy today! @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social and I thought you'd also be pleased that your book is next door neighbor to such a brilliant book by your friend @willdalrymple.bsky.social @boswellbooks.bsky.social

Tell me you're from Wisconsin without telling me you're from Wisconsin. "My neighbor across the street is mowing his lawn with a winter hat and coat on."

Appropriate wordle starter words for today include empty, risen, alive. Happy Easter!

@mikedilisio.bsky.social got my copy of Come Sail Away from Board Game Bliss this week thanks to your recommendation. Unboxed it today with my kids. Lovely production.

My daughter comes downstairs, I'm listening to Innervisions by Stevie Wonder, she says, I like this music. Then she happily punches out a new board game (Come Sail Away) for me (she loves to keep the discards for crafts) and organizes everything. #love

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, tariffs are, and have always been, a stupid idea. stonemaiergames.com/the-darkest-...

Hey @decisionspace.bsky.social wanted to make sure you saw that Brendan's game Enchanted Plumes was recently covered on my favorite bg podcast @gameschooler.bsky.social (I love yours too!) open.spotify.com/episode/01p9...

Yesterday, a student of mine said he loved doing primary source analysis activities. #bestillmybeatingheart

Parents, do you ever find yourself thinking how you could probably write the great American novel if your kids didn't take so... long... to eat?

I've been teaching long enough now that my copies from copies from copies are starting to look really bad. It's like a game of telephone.

@insightunseen.bsky.social it seems there is no way to get notifications from certain people you follow on here yet. That does make it hard for me to catch things you post and respond. Hopefully they'll add it at some point.

LFC resolution for the rest of the season. Just enjoy it. Don't get caught up in the anti FSG stuff or the contracts. Just enjoy a great season.

I was today years old when I learned that both Kenneth Branagh and Stephen Fry both started their film careers in tiny roles in my favorite movie of all time, Chariots of Fire.

What's a board gamer's favorite song? youtu.be/QKcxhQZxvdw?...

Is this what we want for our society? As a middle school teacher, I say please no.

Finished our second game of Splendor Duel today. I have a feeling we're going to end up playing that game many, many times.

@gameschooler.bsky.social really enjoyed the most recent episode to kick off 2025. Glad to hear that enthusiasm back in your voices after the break.

I know it's only Accrington Stanley, but Liverpool needed that one just to get some positivity going. Good for Chiesa too. Jayden Danns finally back fit also and scores. Trent gets some mojo back. Game time for Harvey and Jarell finally too.

First post on here. New Year's book resolution: read more books I know I will enjoy and fewer I think I should read.