Wordtwist on steroids--or something to that effect

[2cute]

Records are the reality of pond life.

I started the month with almost a hundred more "highest scores" than I now have. Probably, the fish who ate my records were followed by bigger fish.

Yep, me too. Now I'm down to 2 on 5x5.

[Naboka]

I'm amazed that I was still holding the record for most words after 11 other people, including you, played that board!

Well done!

Crazykate,

thanks.

Kate is one of my favorite names. Adding Crazy multiplies the charm.

Records are the reality of pond life.

Fortunately, a bit less violent

--and permanent.

I started the month with almost a hundred more "highest scores" than I now have. Probably, the fish who ate my records were followed by bigger fish.

Something larger than Red Fish is just outside the picture. With something even bigger (or microscopically small) waiting for a chance.

In the grand scheme of things, considering conservation of energy, we're all destined to feed the molecules of what follows.

I suppose the solution is to get out the fishing line, bask in the sunshine and enjoy the lazy bob of the boat.

iu.jpeg

[crazykate]

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Here's another example of me against myself on a game that I was very happy with when I played it initially.

I beat that score by 158 points!

It's happening more and more, though not on every game. After all, my attention span is about a buck fifty short of a 2 minute game.

Could blood thinners and creatine actually be having that dramatic an impact?

I'm amazed that I was still holding the record for most words after 11 other people, including you, played that board!

Well done!

[Naboka]

Interesting. I can't consume caffeine at all; it speeds up everything and I need a nearby restroom. AND my hands shake, my eyes twitch, etc. My sense of smell tells me coffee smells really bad, but it can't warn me about tea or cola drinks. I last had a cola drink probably 40 years ago; too many of them have caffeine in them. I am perfectly certain that if I took any caffeine at all I would cut my score on this game by at least 50%, and perhaps to zero; I might not be able to type a single word correctly in three minutes. On the other hand, I often score a little higher if I drink a beer before playing.

Probably a good thing all around on the cola drinks. So much sugar.

Caffeine and bathrooms. Yep. Tends to make a person thirsty also as it's a diuretic.

Maybe the beer relaxes you.

Like the smell of beer, but not really the taste. Probably a good thing. My younger brother is a virtual twin, and he loves beer. He also weighs 30 lbs more and has endless health issues. Having an addictive personality, that would be me if I loved beer.

My highest scores always come as a surprise, usually because I don't feel rushed and am feeling really relaxed. Often after a series of really bad games where I've about given up and don't care if I never play another game again or not.

Most of us are brought up to try harder.

An instructor repeatedly told us we'd do much better if we didn't try so hard. He was right. Watch a sprinter's face in slow motion during a race and it looks like jelly bouncing around.

Problem then becomes trying hard not to try too hard.

Grrrrr.

Sigh.

The balances required of life are so, so demanding.

[bwt1213]

Interesting. I can't consume caffeine at all; it speeds up everything and I need a nearby restroom. AND my hands shake, my eyes twitch, etc. My sense of smell tells me coffee smells really bad, but it can't warn me about tea or cola drinks. I last had a cola drink probably 40 years ago; too many of them have caffeine in them. I am perfectly certain that if I took any caffeine at all I would cut my score on this game by at least 50%, and perhaps to zero; I might not be able to type a single word correctly in three minutes. On the other hand, I often score a little higher if I drink a beer before playing.

[Naboka]

Yes, it can certainly be effecting your brain. Be careful not to overdose.

https://www.drugs.com/creatine.html

Interesting that the article you referenced suggests avoiding caffeine while taking creatine. A lot of supplements on the market contain both. And in large quantities. Bang Supercreatine contains 300 mg a serving. BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!!!!!!!!!!

Because I've seen people at the gym develop problems from overdoing creatine, I tend to the safer side. Caffeine makes me jittery, so I consume very little.

(On the other hand, maybe if I upped the doses on everything, I could finally score 600 points! Yeah, that's the ticket.)

The thought of being high on caffeine driving me to better scores makes me laugh. I'd be so jittery I couldn't hit the keys accurately. I've been trying to convince myself to remain calm while playing. Getting overly excited just leads to more and more mistakes, thus lower and lower scores.

That's one reason why playing this game can be therapeutic. You get to examine how you handle pressured situations, then figure out how to be more effective. It can be like active meditation. Learning the mechanics of consciousness actively trying to achieve a result.

I would assume that the essence of life is consciousness actively trying to achieve a result.

Master that and you've mastered life.

Or, a particular aspect of life.

The zen of word hunting.

[2cute]

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Could blood thinners and creatine actually be having that dramatic an impact?

Yes, it can certainly be effecting your brain. Be careful not to overdose.

https://www.drugs.com/creatine.html

[Naboka]

Screen Shot 2021-09-16 at 7.34.39 PM.png


Here's another example of me against myself on a game that I was very happy with when I played it initially.

I beat that score by 158 points!

It's happening more and more, though not on every game. After all, my attention span is about a buck fifty short of a 2 minute game.

Could blood thinners and creatine actually be having that dramatic an impact?

[Naboka]

Screen Shot 2021-09-23 at 10.28.28 PM.png

So, after getting shuffled out of the hospital, I went to the pharmacy (well, actually my wife did on her way to the gym) to get my prescription filled. Eliquis, a blood thinner.

I also vowed to start getting back in shape after spending the pandemic potato couching. Part of getting into shape for me is building more muscle mass, so I started taking creatine. Some studies show that creatine might help cognitive function.

Whatever. Suddenly my games have gone crazy. The previous high score of 432 for this game was held by a person who usually outscores me by a lot. And I beat them by over a hundred points.

Crazy.

Makes me wonder.

But this game is just the tip of the iceberg.