Did you bullsh** last week? Did you try to bullsh** last week? This is Ask Ken. I’m your faithful host, Kartin’ Ken, and I try to bullsh** every week. Mark Rosewater missed something in his article yesterday. He forgot to mention in the summaries the bursting onto the scene of one Ken Krouner at Worlds 2002. Ah well, just like Rodney, I get no respect. But you all love me, don’t you? I am gonna check on the mail.
Today’s letter comes to us from John Aeder of California. John writes:
Is it”Crooner” or”Crowner”?
Well John, believe it or not it is neither. My name doesn’t strike me as that difficult to pronounce, but I suppose it wouldn’t. The”u” is what gives people trouble. It is actually a silent”u”. Pretend it is spelled”Kroner” like the old money from Denmark. Or better yet”Croner”, since that is how most people spell it when I tell them.
For other American Pros with hard to pronounce names see this article. Names aren’t always easy. The Smiths and Joneses of the world don’t know how good they have it. For instance, Mr. Aeder, I have no idea hoe to pronounce your name. I can hazard some guesses. Ay’-der, or the Latin Eye’-der, perhaps a Southern A-daire’, or a German Ee’-der. The written word is great, but not always easy. The Phoenicians tried, but we American decided to go all crazy with our alleged phonetic alphabet.
I kid the Americans. I kid because I love. Don’t blame us world; we didn’t elect George W. Bush, our forefathers did with their wonderful electoral college. Sure some of us voted for him, but [For the rest of this message, please visit kerryforpresident.com or watch your local political ads. – Knut, still excising the blatant polspeak]
The source on any and all things,
KK
Yesterday’s reference was finally too obscure since as of the time I am writing this no one has guessed, so I lobbed a softball today. You still win if you get it, but it isn’t nearly as tough. Yesterday was from The Doom Generation. Don’t feel bad if you missed it, but see the movie if you are into dark satire. And definitely see the movie if you are into Rose McGowen. G’night Everybody!
08/09/04
“I love you” can mean a lot of things… like”you’ll do ’til someone better comes along,” or”I can’t describe how I really feel, but I know that I’m supposed to say this,” or”Shut up, I’m watching TV.” This is Ask Ken. I’m your host Ken Krouner, and I love you all. So much in fact, that I am going to head back to my inbox yet again.
Today’s letter comes to us from multiple question writer Jason Choi. Jason writes:
Hi Ken,
I was wondering about your thoughts on Heartseeker in draft. I think it may be one of the most underated cards in draft. Sure it expensive but I think it effect is worthwhile. And with all the mana acceleration out there I think it should be a good 3rd pick. What are your thoughts?
Well Jason, I’m going to be honest with you. I used to hate this card with a passion – it is everything I hate in an equipment card. It is expensive to cast, expensive to equip, and it unattaches when activated. This card is clunky, slow, and only good in stalemates.
That being said, I think the card has gotten a lot better. By and large, the decks have slowed down a lot with the introduction of Fifth Dawn. 5-color Green can utilize this card the best, as it has the most spare mana hanging around and is generally the most prone to stalemates.
I still don’t condone this card in the main deck. It couldn’t be worse against a Black deck or a fast White deck, while even some Blue decks could give it some trouble. But in matchups where you have mana lying around and stalemates seem likely, this is a fine card to have out of the board.
The source on all the ghetto rigged equipment,
KK
Anyone who gets the reference from today’s article will be my personal hero. We’ve got another fun filled week of questions for you so keep tuning in. G’night everybody!