Dennis's blog

Here's a new one. I don't know the answer (yet) but supposedly it is very math-based.

First Question: How can you tell in 10 yes-no questions what number I am thinking of between 1 and 1000?

Second Question: What if you have to ask all 10 questions in advance (ie, the next question cannot depend on the answer to the one before)?

Third Question (The Real Question): How many questions would it take to ascertain the number if you have to ask them all in advance and I can lie once?

This is the real picture. Thanks to Scott for being a good sport! BTW, I hear he won the kayak slalom competition last Sunday! Hey, Scott, how about a few words about the race?

Scott is here with Gilbert and Steve tonight. They came up for the Mokulumne River kayak races. Tonight we played Puerto Rico - the first time for Gilbert and Steve. We talked them through the first game and at the end, before the count, we couldn't tell which of the four of us had won. The count finally came out Scott with 38, Steve and I both with 39 and Gilbert with 40! The closest 4-person game I've ever seen!

The next game, we helped Gilbert and Steve with the rules, but not the choices. Gilbert made some almost painfully bad moves and came in last with 32. I also made some painful moves and came in 3rd with 39. Steve didn't think out all of his plays completely but came in 2nd at 47. Scott played a nearly flawless game and clobbered the rest of us with 57. On the last round, I was $1 short of being able to buy a 10. If I'd had that one dollar, and Scott would have had $1 less, and if I'd have gotten the small warehouse card a couple of rounds earlier and if I'd been able to cash it a bit more on the corn points, I still would have lost, but not so badly.

Jonny called today. He is doing great. A bunch of them are going into the jungle this weekend to raft and kayak. I wish he wouldn't tell us stuff like that...

Argh! Even after I saw the answer, I didn't believe it. After LOTS of thinking, I guess I do believe it, but it's like understanding the universe: it's just a little bit bigger than my head...I mean I can almost get it, but not quite, and only if I don't breathe while I'm thinking

Okay, this is a tough one. Or maybe it's not so tough, but it took me a long time to figure it out, and I needed a hint.

Mike shows nine playing cards (5 Diamonds; 2 Hearts; and 2 Clubs) to 5 logicians. Mike then blindfolds the logicians and tapes the 5 Diamonds cards to their foreheads. He hides the other cards, then removes the blindfolds. Mike then asks the logicians what suit of card they have on their forehead. After a few minutes, one logician blurts out that he knows he has a Diamond taped to his forehead. How does he know?

Good Luck! I've put three levels of hints in the comments to this post.

At first I thought this was too easy and actually wrote a post taunting Eric. Then I realized I was wrong and deleted it quickly! It took me a few more minutes to get it. Not at all as trivial as I had originally thought...interesting and fun.

The Rules: Move only two of the 16 sticks in order to form only 4 identical squares, still using all 16 sticks. The sticks can't overlap, and all 16 must be used - none hanging off the side, unused.

I'm not giving any hints, but you might want to check out the legs.

Cindy is caring for Madison two days a week now. Here's the result of the second day.

Well, its been a while since Shelley and Todd have made it to San Diego, in fact the last time they were here they weren't even married, but had just recently started dating. So needless to say Scott and I have been looking forward to their visit for quite some time. We had a very busy weekend, of course, filled with eating and games. What else would we do?

Here are some of the highlights of the trip.

Saturday morning we went to the OriginalPancake House, yummy, I couldn't decide between eggs benedict, Corned beef hash, or the 2 egg breakfast. At the last minute I muttered hash...it was good and the potato pancakes were as yummy as ever.

Of course we had to make the much anticipated trip to Phil's.


Here are pictures of Janice eating ribs, (why get anything else) and Scott having the Broham, no slaw. It wasn't too crowded, but we had enough time for Janice to sink Scott's battleship, and all the other ships on the board!




















We had the obligitory trip to Panera, what would a family gathering be without a trip to Panera?










And of course, knowing Shelley's love of a good root beer, we HAD to go to Pizza Port. Here is Scott enjoying his root beer outside on a beautiful summer's afternoon. Good times.






































We decided that since Todd loves tacos, and we make killer tacos, that dinner would have to be, what? Yep Tacos!!! Janice LOVES taco night. Here are the fixin's and what Scott's tacos looked like before he folded them and shoved them in his mouth!


















Naturally,we had many games of PR, watched lots of movies, and had tons of fun. It is so good to spend time with loved ones. We can't wait for Shoddison to come visit us again soon!

Bro-ham-slice with slaw,
We'll miss ya. Have a great time (and be careful). We expect periodic blog reports and, of course, many pictures. And we promise not to eat Phil's while you're gone (though no promises about Zach's), and we'll really try not to eat Sampan either. Anyway, have a great time! Eric and Mary