Global domination

Friday night I played Risk with Alen, Jessie and Amanda.

I'm not really sure why, but for some reason I turn into a bit of a jerk when playing board games. Sometimes this manifests itself in cheating, other times I just get a little cocky. Friday night was the latter - I had managed to slip under the radar for most of the game, and conquered half the board a few hours in. Before my final turn though I turned over my mission card to show everyone what I was going to do (conquer North America and Australia), and in the process point out there wasn't a thing they could do about it.

This really is an anomoly in my life - when I'm playing basketball I don't predict making a big shot before I do it. I try and stay clear of making bold predictions at work too. I think it might come from childhood somewhere - board games were a big part of our family culture, and with three competitive siblings, these games got serious. Maybe there's a support group for guys like me, although I'd imagine it would be pretty geeky.

Now for a Chaser-esque segue . . . speaking of global conflict, I finally got around to watching "Blood Diamond" last night. Brilliant movie. Great story, great cinematography, and Leo doing his best work since "Growing Pains". Actually I think I might be coming around on him - with this and "The Departed" in the last year he's made some good choices, and doesn't seem like the nancy-boy he used to so much any more. Anyway back to the movie - the scene towards the end where the army bombs a diamond mining field was the highlight - very "Apocalyspse Now"-esque. Jennifer Connelly was stunning too - very underrated if you ask me. Best DVD I've hired in a long time.