Officially Addicted to Qrank

My friend Honey, from My Honey Wears Plaid, told me about Qrank.  Honey and the Boyfriend have gotten together with Shane and I for many a game nights involving Trivia Pursuit, so he knew I liked the trivia games.  Qrank is a free app for the iPhone (and iPad and can also be played online).  You can only play once per day.  There are 20 questions, of which you choose 15 to play.  They are rated by difficulty -- there are eight 200-point "easy" questions, eight "medium" 400-pointers, and four "hard" 1,000 pointers.  Added to the mix is three hidden bonus tiles, making those question worth two or three times more. 

The object is to get more points than other people in the world.  You can look at how many points your friends got, people in the local area, in your state, in the United States, and in the world.  It knows where you are using the GPS in the device (or your IP address from the computer I assume).

In addition, you earn award points for various accomplishments.  Out of a possible 1330 points, I've earned 160.  For instance, I earned 5 points for the Hot Hand Award, because I got five questions right in a row.  Also, I earned the Spicoli, also worth 5 points, for missing five questions in a row.  You also earn points for playing in different places.  I got the Stud Stache award for playing in five different U.S. states.  I soon hope to earn the Road Soda Award (20 points) for playing in 10 states.  I'm up to eight states I've played in (including DC as a state)--DC, Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine.  I expect to get Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Florida soon.  As far as I know, there is absolutely no value to earning these points, but I seem to be obsessed with getting them.  I'm not sure why.  As all trivia games should be, it is all pointless.  I can't stop though. 

The only problem with the game is that it is easy to cheat if you're a devious person. If you sign in with a different email address, you get the same questions again when you play as someone else, so its easy to see the answers and get a crazy high score. I'm sure some people do that.  They know who they are.

If you want to join the fun, add me as a friend in Qrank.  My name on the game is the same as my Twitter name -- Bluespongerun.  You can see my scores on Twitter (in my sidebar).  I can get more points if I score high among  lots of friends... so don't join if you're real smart or plan to cheat. 

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #255

What makes you think he's been seeing an inflatable doll?

This is my submission for the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #255. Let me know if you come up with a one too.

Seeing Sean Hayes In NYC

We took my sister and nieces to New York City today. I went with my
nieces to see American Idiot and Shane went with my sister to see
Promises, Promises. AI got out early, so we waited at the stage door
at Promises and met Sean Hayes, who came out to sign autographs.
Shane and I saw the show back in August. Kristen Chenewith did not
make an appearance. American Idiot was really good, but very loud.
Am I getting old?

Our Last Sunset This Year in Maine

With Hurricane Earl barrelling toward the coast of Maine, we enjoyed our final sunset this year at Moose and Squirrel, the house we rent in Little Deer Isle, Maine, this year. So, who needs the sun?   It is supposed to start raining later tonight and the heavy rain is set to be here as we start driving in the morning. We plan to drive all the way to DC tomorrow.  That is the not fun part of the vacation. Oh well, we've had a great time. Until next year!!!!

Watching the Sunset With a Special Wine

Shane and I went to Italy 3 years ago and bought this bottle of wine at a winery called Castello di Meleto.  It was a Chianti Classico from 2003.  We've been saving it for a special occasion ever since then.  It survived in Shane's suitcase all the way from Europe.  We were going to drink it on an anniversary or when the sale of our Florida house went through, but for some reason we just never drank it... until tonight.  We sat on the porch of Moose and Squirrel and drank every delicious drop as we watched the beautiful sunset.  It was a wonderful evening.  

I just looked up what it would cost to buy more of this exact bottle in the US.  There was an online listing of a store in the Bronx that sold it for $16.99.  It was priceless to us.

Kayaking on the Eggemoggin Reach in Maine

Shane and I got into the kayaks and took a tour along the coast this morning.  We risked taking our iPhones with us so we could get some photos.  Luckily the phones stayed dry.  The water was dead calm with no hint that a big storm is on its way.  Hurricane Earl is scheduled to be off the coast just around the time we will be starting our drive back.  Yikes!

Heading Home.  The yellow house (second from left) is 

Moose and Squirrel.  

Oh Canada, My First Trip North (East)

Shane and I did a day trip today and crossed the border into Campobello, New Brunswick, Canada.  This was my first time in Canada.  We visited Roosevelt Campobello International Park, which features Franklin Roosevelt's summer "cottage."  We toured the restored home with its numerous interpreters throughout.  We were surprised how few visitors were there, but it was very interesting and a beautiful place.  It is easy to understand why the Roosevelts treasured it.

Our only complaint about the day was the weather.  It was HOT.  We were hoping to enjoy a break from the heat of DC, but it was hotter in Maine (and Canada) than in Florida.  What up with that?

After the tour of the FDR home, we drove to the far end of the island to see East Quoddy Light and were skeptical about seeing whales, as we were told the area was a feeding ground and they could be spotted.  To our amazement, we actually saw several whales.  It was unbelievable.  We saw them blowing air out their blow holes and surfacing off-shore.  We've gone on several whale watches in our lives and have never seen whales and we happen upon several by chance.  Others around told us they were minks and finbacks.  They were big, but too far away for a photo.  We also saw porpoises and a seal while there.  Very cool.

We crossed back into the US and walked around Lubec, ME, a bit.  We bought some candy and ate at a pub.  Shane then drove back to our beloved Moose and Squirrel in time for the sunset.  It was a great day!

Franklin Roosevelt's 34-room "Cottage" on Campobello

Shane on the dock.

Me on the dock in front of Campobello.

View of the water from the "cottage."

The formal dining room.

Franklin and Eleanor's Bedroom

East Quoddy Light

We saw numerous whales here. 

You can walk to the island with the

lighthouse during low tide, but you 

better hurry back before the tide turns.

We got back in time for the sunset and wine on the porch.

Eastern-Most Point in the Continental US

Shane and I did a day trip today to Canada and Lubec, Maine.  Lubec is the eastern-most city in the continental United States and West Quoddy Head Lighthouse is located at the the eastern-most point in the continental  U.S.  If the lighthouse looks familiar, it is often depicted on calendars and in art.  It was about a 2 and a half hour drive from Little Deer Isle, ME, where we are staying.

When this was taken, I was the eastern-most

person in the continental United States.

Photo of Pumpkin Island Lighthouse

This is a photo we took of the lighthouse (see below) from a kayak from last year.  This is, obviously, the other side.

Painting of Pumpkin Island Lighthouse

This is a painting of the lighthouse near our vacation home done by Jerry Rose. We saw it in a gallery today in Blue Hill, ME. If I had an extra few thosand, I would have picked it up.

Boating On Sunday In Maine

Our friends, Leif and Christina, took us out on their boat on Sunday.  It was a perfect day to be out on the water.  It got up to 90 degrees, which is very warm for Maine this time of year, but it was cool and breezy on the boat.  We started at Buck's Harbor and went to North Haven and Stonington.  Here are some photos I took and a very short video from the boat.

Buck's Harbor

Leif and Christina in North Haven

Me on the boat.

Shane on the boat.

Christina and Shane looking very breezy.

Christina and Shane back on land.

Stonington view from the boat.

 Another beautiful scene from the boat.

North Haven harbor

Our future home when we strike it rich.

Captain Leif at the helm.

Flowers in Stonington.

Back at Moose & Squirrel

Moose and Squirrel is the name of the house we stay at on Little Deer
Isle, ME. This is the sunset as seen from the porch taken at 7:14
tonight. It looks even better in person! The long trip was worth it
now we get a week of heaven.

Driving to Maine - Passing NYC

We just drove past New York City as we're driving to Maine. This
photo doesn't compare to how amazing the moon looked as we drove past
on the New Jersey Turnpike. The moon was huge, yellow and very low on
the horizon. We're going as far as Conneticut tonight and arriving at
Little Deer Isle tomorrow afternoon. Can't wait to be relaxing on the
porch!

Apparently President Obama Dresses in Muslin

One in five people think that President Obama is a Muslim, but he actually dresses in muslin.  It is an understandable error and in no way an indication that a fifth of the nation are morons.

Friday in New York

We had a wonderful day in NYC yesterday. We slept in and got goin
around noon. We visited the rooftop pool deck of our hotel and
enjoyed the views. We spent the afternoon walking around the
neighborhoods around Central Park, trying yo decide the best area to
move to.

We ate at a coffeehouse in the East Side and came back to the hotel to
crash gor a while. Before we knew it, it was time to go to our show--
La Cage Aux Folles with Kelsey Grammer. We loved it! We highly
recommend it.

After the show, we found a small piano bar that was right up our
alley. We had a blast. I can't see how it could have been a better
day.

Next to Normal Night in NY C

To celebrate Shane's birthday yesterday, we traveled to New York City,
ate at a very nice restaurant (Il Mulino in the Village) and then saw
Next to Normal on Broadway. It was the third time we saw the show and
is our favorite. There is now new people playing the main characters,
so it was different. Nobody can match Tony-winner Alice Ripley's
performance, but the new cast was also amazing. The show itself is
amazing and I highly recommend it. Both the music and story are very
good. I think Shane had a good day. I know I did. My wallet--not so
much.

NYC Trip--Filming Gossip Girl In Our Hotel

Happy Birthday Shane!

Shane turns 40 today, and to celebrate we're taking the train to New
York City! This was taken just as we were arriving in Wilmington, DE.

New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #251

Gary Coleman is still waiting on his tailor fitting.

This is my submission for the New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest #251.  Let me know if you come up with a doozy. 

Maude's Not Thrilled to See the Vet Again

I took Maude for another visit to the Vet this morning, and she was not very happy about it.  She had a "scooting" issue that we thought needed some follow-up.  This was taken while we were waiting to see the Vet in the examination room--I just caught her in mid-meow.  She isn't as upset as this photo makes her appear.  This doesn't compare with her disdain when she was actually having her butt examined.  I never heard such a yowl.  However, she survived and doesn't seem the worse for wear.  We got some worm pills as a precaution and an admonishment about her weight (15 lbs. 8 oz., she loves to eat).  Luckily, her butt health seems fine.