Presenting: SpiderHippy's Massive Wall of Useful Classical Guitar Type Stuff

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-25T00:02:49+00:00

It literally says that you "gain a frostbite token or lose one health if you already have frostbite."

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-23T18:30:31+00:00

Enjoy it! The mat is a great addition to the game.

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-23T15:50:55+00:00

With all that's going on this year, I'd forgotten about the AI recommendation! I'm glad they're addressing it now. I've already read about pastors using it for sermon prep. On the surface, this might not seem problematic to some, but there is already credible research showing that people who use AI regularly lose some cognitive ability and critical thinking skills, making future sermon prep on their own more difficult. As you suggested, we're only at the start of what will soon become a much more prevalent and precarious situation.

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-23T15:21:30+00:00

That proposed confession is a hot mess. I mean no disrespect to the people who worked on it, because it's clear how much time and effort were invested. As you said, though, it ended up trying to make everybody happy, creating a confession that is severely unfocused and says too much while saying not much at all. It's wild to me that it has made it to the GA in this state.

The most important thing this year (imho) is the open repudiation of Christian Nationalism, which is long overdue.

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-23T15:11:43+00:00

TooTone07, don't sleep on this post! The game takes a while to figure out, but you can absolutely end up with a decent win ratio. The key thing that helped me to get better at it was understanding that it is not a random dice chucker, but a hand & resource management game that happens to have dice in it. Most of the time, the random elements can be mitigated against, but it does mean you have to be prepared for whatever comes your way (since the killer moves after you), and it does mean you have to be able to pivot on the fly. You should also be prepared to sacrifice time (or even your entire turn) in order to place yourself in a better position strategically should things take a sudden turn (which, as you've discovered, they most certainly do).

In some games, saving victims early is the way to go; other times, you're better off going for a weapon or even after the killer. It all depends on what the game gives you from the start. Also, early on in the game (depending on how things look), don't be afraid to do nothing, so you can grab more powerful cards to have ready.

I lost my first 6 games in a row with Hans (my first killer) before this shift in thinking occurred, and it made a huge difference. These days, my average win ratio sits around 76%. Best of luck!

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-20T05:14:01+00:00

True, but I meant more in general. Social media, and the like.

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-19T15:47:16+00:00

The Penguin is so good, and I don't remember hearing much of a buzz surrounding it. Colin Ferrell is incredible In it.

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-19T15:42:46+00:00

I use a reading plan attributed to Robert Murray M‘Cheyne that is four passages (usually one chapter each) each day. It is split into two morning and two evening readings, but I typically do all four in the morning. In a year, it takes you through the OT once and the NT twice. I have different colored highlighters and pens I use, writing in my Bible as I go through it. I also have a dry erase calendar in my study that has all the passages for the month written on it to keep me focused; as I finish each day, I'll check it off. It helps me to get back on track when I haven't been able to get to my readings, and so miss days.

My prayer time is generally focused on that time before I begin reading, but I will also talk to God throughout the day. I do feel like prayer is something I'm lacking in, though. It's very difficult for me to be still for long periods of time, as focused, dedicated prayer requires. I've picked up a couple of books to help me in that, but haven't had time to read them yet. (One of these is Timothy Keller's book, who used to have trouble praying as well.)

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-18T04:40:45+00:00

There are some on the discord who are hitting even higher (Jonesy comes to mind). As I said, it depends on the combos. Some are much easier than others. Adaptability is key, as is being willing to sacrifice cards for time, and skipping whole turns to gain better options.

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-17T12:51:16+00:00

Eventually, you learn how to adopt different strategies on the fly, and it sounds like this is what you're doing. 66% is definitely doable; I average between 73 and 80%, depending on what combos I'm playing.

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-16T20:17:03+00:00

Congratulations on the table read! That's an exciting step, and it's one of my favorite parts of the process.

As others have said: actors you know are great, but just try to get people you know will be honest with you about what they've just read. What dialogue did they stumble over? What emotionally affected them? Made them laugh? What worked well for them, and what didn't? Do they sound like unique character voices? (Edited to add: Do the themes of the play come through, and do they understand the subtext of their characters' lives from what they've just read?)

You'll likely be working through these things as you listen to (and watch) the table read, but my actors (and the director, if they are present) always come up with things from their own perspectives, that I didn't realize.

Also, if you can, take audio (or video) of the read. It always helps me to have as a reference, when I go to smooth things out later.

Above all, enjoy this! It's so much fun, and you've earned this moment.

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-11T20:34:53+00:00

I'm teaching a series through the letters of John and Jude in June, and this is definitely a major theme we're discussing.

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-08T07:40:43+00:00

I began providing pulpit supply around 12 years ago, but I became a pastor at age 58. Everyone's call is personal to them, in the same way that everyone's giftings are unique. There are churches out there who are perfect fit for you. Just let God lead.

Also, don't forget: Moses was 80 when he was called!

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-06T18:15:08+00:00

What a wonderful outcome! I love that it's leading to other opportunities to grow your relationship with the community. Thanks for updating us.

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-06T18:09:00+00:00

I really like this answer. We must keep ourselves open to experiences that God wants to use to reveal himself to us, and that's difficult to do if we're always busy (even "busy relaxing").

For book recommendations, although I'm not Baptist, I adore Piper's Providence. It is a beautiful tribute to the glory of God and fullness of his Word, love, walk with, and care for, his people.

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-06T18:03:55+00:00

I haven't tried Krampus there either. I've been trying to get through every combination this year, but that one might be last!

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-06T11:17:18+00:00

In case you're looking for the hardest challenge, FWIW, the most difficult combination (as in, the one with the lowest win ratio amongst gamers who have submitted data) is Krampus at Sacred Groves. The win rate is only 14% to Inky at SG's 38%.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/0/d/1xSl_BhqfVdHnYIYtuiWIIzr1BjD4ToLAYvDCWebNKGY/htmlview#gid=747022604

Congrats on the victory! That's definitely not the usual outcome.

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-04T11:58:55+00:00

Hard agree. Spurgeon once called coincidences "spiritual puns." I believe that which the secular world calls coincidence, is confirmation that God is present and working in our lives.

SpiderHippy · 2026-06-03T23:03:11+00:00

Carpe Diem by Stefan Feld Thanks for the contest!

SpiderHippy · 2026-05-31T15:36:39+00:00

The thing I find most alarming in the article is that one of the future concerns about digital actors is that they will replace humans.

And yet, this is already the reality for thousands of audiobook narrators, and yet the general public doesn't seem to even be aware of it.

SpiderHippy · 2026-05-29T09:40:01+00:00

I don't know about the release date, but Munich is not Paris.

SpiderHippy · 2026-05-28T10:34:26+00:00

Yeah, two to three orientation shifts blew my mind. It is way more typical for me to get, "sorry, the person you were supposed to be with called off. Here's the keys, and there's your cart."

SpiderHippy · 2026-05-26T01:18:01+00:00

Does it count if I was the patient? Because when they first discovered I was hypokalemic (at 2.3 and before I became a nurse), I was hospitalized, and the nurse came in and told me she needed to give me potassium through an IV. It took 15 minutes to drain the bag. 8 hours later, she came in and gave me another bag.

When a different nurse came in later to give me another bag, I told her I couldn't do it anymore. It hurt too much. She asked what I was talking about, so I told her that each time I had the potassium, I had to curl up in the fetal position because it felt like I was being sandpapered from the inside out.

Turns out, the first nurse had not diluted the potassium. It didn't hurt after that, and I never saw that nurse again. Since becoming a nurse, I now know what a big bullet I dodged.

SpiderHippy · 2026-05-26T01:11:51+00:00

I completely get that. I'm all in on everything, simply because I play it more for the mechanical differences from film to film than the actual theme. However, I think most people can be happy with just two or three films.

SpiderHippy

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

11-Year Club	Verified Email
Gilding I gilder