esrosedotblog

ALONE

I have never written about one of my most regular pastimes; solitaire on the computer.

Both of us are solitaire players; Casino Klondike. John uses cards, I use
Eric's Ultimate Solitaire.

I got hooked when they used to free-ware the Eric's demo on the old Macs. Then I bought the disc. Now, we are all working through the beta of the latest 10X version. Oh, did I mention that this was for Mac-Folk. Sorry PC. There is a Palm Version.

I like the Eric's because it keeps records. I am nuts about records whether it is bike rides, running (in the old days), or gym workouts. I never look at them, but goddammit I have them.

There are a lot of features like background music for fuck sake. I don't use those. I do turn on the playable card option when I am on my third or fourth try to clean up a hand and am getting desperate.

One of the neat things about the software is the weasel. He is the spokesman for the game and, if you turn him on, will comment on every hand. Short, pithy things like 'one for our side'; 'Aaawww'; 'that was hard' and one of my favorites, after I have lost a few in a row: 'have you thought about cheating?'

One of the best things is the card-back design. Normally, it is the default weasel logo. But on holidays, like tomorrow, we get a special design. An easter bunny. Martin Luther King. A derby hat with a shamrock on it. And so on. Corny. Yes. But very satisying.