As the eight or so folks who read this column may know, I'm cuckoo for nerdy word games, particularly the Word Builder game at Sofo. I stopped in a few nights ago, ordered my Stoli martini and settled in for a long spring's game play.
Here's how the game works: You are given eight letters, from which you are challanged to form as many words as you can within the time limit. The letters are displayed on the screen in two parallel rows of four.
On about my third game ( I can go all night! ) , the top row of four letters read P-O-N-G and the bottom row was T-H-A-I. Not remarkable in and of itself, I realize. But what if I were to tell you that the young man sitting just to my right, and who was paying full attention to my fingers flying across the touchscreen board, was a THAI fellow named PONG?
So if you've ever wondered how to get in my column, it normally doesn't require some unpredictably bizarre word-game-related coincidence, but it sure does help.
Speaking of word games, I'm rushing to finish this column so I can prepare to compete in a Scrabble tournament tonight. Dig around on my Facebook to see how I fared.
Anywho ( Yes, I know, I'm ashamed of myself for using that word, too--particularly in light of my avowed Scrabble prowess. ) , thanks once again to Mr. Chicago Leather 2010 Chester Munro for the cover of this week's issue. Chester has for years now been the architect of our IML-ness and we couldn't do it without him.
Let's all give a fist to this year's Mr. Chicago Leather Jason Southerland as he competes for the big title at the Hyatt Regency on Sun., May 29.
And don't forget all your other IML/Bear Pride/ceremonial beginning of summer events this weekend. Wear a seatbelt. And several condoms.
PS - Hope you like Homer's haiku. A sense of humor helps.
kirk@windycitymediagroup.com