WEEKEND ROUNDUP: Things to be thankful for

Mike Shyu gave a stirring speech at his Thanksgiving dinner Saturday, the sixth annual Jump, Jive and Someone Kill the Turkey Already, and if you weren't there it'll be hard for us to recreate the moment, because how does one capture a heartfelt sentiment, an expression of endearment in front of next-to-kin friends?

Reitz has more here.

WEEK IN REVIEW: Ellen's foosball tourney, and Jim

This just in: Boehner and Ellen are really good at foosball, and teamed together, they're unbeatable. The team was 3.5-point favorites in the finals against Michael Chaitkin and Jim, and covered, winning 10-6. The house won 5 kuai over a night of betting (14 total games, though not all saw action), with big-winner Jim leaving with 20 kuai (6 for 6 on bets) and big loser Michael leaving as a sad, decrepit shell of himself, down 15 big ones.

Afterwards we drank and played asshole, a game in which I won six straight times and seven out of eight, including once from the asshole position. (Don't ask if you don't know.) And then things got -- how shall we say? -- a bit out of control. This is all we'll say for now:

An oven broke. Jim did some other stuff.

Consider that a preview of a video to come...

PICTURES OF THE WEEK:



GOOGLE GROUPS POST OF THE WEEK:

Jeff, you sick, sick man. I had to write this (11/21):

Jeff Orcutt, you play a risky game. When having sex with horses next time, you'll want to

pitch, not catch. Otherwise you place yourself in mortal danger of a perforated colon, which is no laughing matter, as Kenneth Pinyan, otherwise known as Mr. Hands, could tell you... from his grave.

I must also, despite the sensitive disposition of our fair readers, bring to attention the despicable game you have been playing these last four years with the lives of innocent, sentient beings. The other day, during one of my several leisurely Internet browsing sessions, I uncovered a disturbing Seattle Times article documenting your unscrupulous lifestyle and laying bare your degenerate constitution. I quote: "But because investigators found chickens, goats and sheep on the property, they are looking into whether animal cruelty — which is a crime — was committed by having sex with these smaller, weaker animals."

Jeff, you pervert! Horses are one thing, but small, furry, defenseless animals? I... I'm aghast. I'm absolutely shocked beyond words. How sick. How vile! How... how dastardly! You should be ashamed. What your dark, monstrous conscience will tolerate in the basement of your private dwelling is not for us to judge, but to betray your friends and acquaintances by bringing this defilement upon us in the world of virtue and light is unforgivable. How Joe has co-habitated with you all this time is beyond guessing, though we should probably take pity at the horrors -- gross and unfathomable! -- he has repressed in the name of survival!

It will take us years to erase the vestiges of your profanity from our collective consciousness. I beseech you do us the favor of removing yourself from our chaste community at once. Your libido has harmed its last living soul.

Sincerely,
Beijing Ultimate Community

Happy Thanksgiving!

That is all.

RETROSPECTIVE: Beijing's continual awesomeness at tourney parties

Manila Spirits 2009

WEEKEND ROUNDUP: Two turkeys, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, banana bread, pumpkin soup, apple pie, pumpkin pie...

...14 friends, Scategories, hot tub, swimming pool, foosball, and the drinking games Ride the Bus and Circle of Death... recipe for a good Thanksgiving.







Thanks go out to Gareth for making the bulk of the meal, Michael for helping in both kitchens and Ellen, once again, for hosting.

POSTSCRIPT: Doc!

Countdown of Doc's greatest works

3. Shanghai 2008



2. Jeju 2007









1. Hong Kong 2008

Pictures of Doc with his eyes closed

It's a sign of virility.




The first person who matches the pictures with the tournament gets a prize.

WEEK IN REVIEW: In commemoration of Doc

Doc appreciation week(end) begins today.

Doc Tobin, aka Doc, has been one of the biggest figures in Beijing Ultimate history, a bulwark of the Beijing Ultimate Committee during good times and bad and co-founder of Big Brother (one of two original BB players still active, in fact -- Jim Kirchhoff is the other). If you want a good idea of the man, check out his award-winning party ideas for Big Brother's tournaments, several of which we'll revisit over the weekend.

After seven years in this city, Doc is moving on Sunday to Kunming to continue his adventures as a writer (novelist and blogger) and web-comic extraordinaire.

We salute you, Good Doctor, and wish you the best.

Betsy will miss you especially.

PICTURE OF THE DOC:


GOOGLE GROUPS POST OF THE WEEK:
Doc, 11/19:

hey,

i'm giving away free stuff starting tonight. this has nothing to do with the fact i'm moving to kunming, since we all know that's not really happening. i'm just feeling particularly generous.

among the stuff i'm giving away:

clothing (dapper)
giant tupperware
books
a stuffed tiger
an orange boa
my virginity
a cowboy hat
every party costume from the past 8 years (minus orange jumpsuits)
a scooter
a bicycle helmet
badminton rackets and shuttlecocks
hugs
the singapore open 2004 championship cup
a raison d'etre
a kansas city royals hat
a sewing kit
tuna
a tent
a couple of mattress pads
etc.

i am also selling two items for well below market value:

a canon printer, with a brand new printer cartridge, unopened. 100 rmb (the cartridge itself was 80)
a tv table from ikea 250 rmb (originally 800)

this stuff is going on a first come first serve basis. don't email me asking to save you stuff, unless you are willing to pay for it. you can show up here, jamie and ryan's apt, anytime after ten tonight. i'll be here all day tomorrow as well and a lot of saturday. but whatever hasn't been claimed by then, i will be giving to the bike guy downstairs.

dr

RETROSPECTIVE: Spring, wherefore thou sour'st?

As the temperature dips, here's a doleful reminder of warmer, happier times...


From Duff, spring league 2009 hat tourney

Final outdoor Tuesday pickup of the year

Quite possibly the final one, anyway, as the weather continues to dip. Deshengmen at 8 p.m., be there (with layers)!

WEEKEND ROUNDUP: Just returned from this

Holy shit, I was just here.










More pictures here. Look for a Facebook album to go up real soon as well.

WEEKEND ROUNDUP: All hail Black Flag

Beijingers Alicia, Candice Lee and myself were part of the Spirits-winning team Black Flag. Complete coverage of the tournament later, when I return from Boracay.

Ken Su's Bear Cowboy Ninja team held seed and would have made semis had it not been for an egregious call on Universe Point in the quarterfinals matchup against the Boracay Dragons. Jim, Joe and Jeff's Team Triple J performed admirably, nearly winning the party.

RETROSPECTIVE: Manila Spirits 2008

Picture by DaNekaLbo -- this album (have a look around, there're plenty more pictures on his site).

If you haven't heard, last year's finals was epic.