The straw that broke the proverbial camel's back has landed. I'm going to be clearing out a large portion of games that I own but don't really want...starting this weekend. If I have something listed for trade that you want, now is the time to contact me - even if you think the trade is not fair (i.e. my "expensive" game for your "cheap" game). I'll probably accept. I imagine most of them will go to Goodwill (let someone else have the "Great Find" - I know I always enjoy that). I prefer to trade, but the times are a-changin' and the game closet got a LOT smaller.
So come one, come all. If you see a game (or games) you like, make me an offer!
Friday, July 30, 2004
Monday, July 26, 2004
What's That Sucking Noise?
Oh! It's my Go playing!
Since 2AM last night, I've played MANY games of Go. I've rediscovered why I'm not a big fan of abstract games. For the record, I lose most of the board games I play - but I have a good time. Go on the other hand...
Don't get me wrong. I have been enjoying myself. But after each game I sit there with a deer-in-the-headlight look thinking to myself "I don't get it." Granted, I'm new to the game and there is a lot to grasp, but I can't lose myself in the theme or the experience like I can with other board games I play. I end up frustrated with lack of players who suck as much as I do (teachers are great, but I'm usually in the mood to PLAY not sit in class). I'm going to have to reiterate what I've said before about Go: I think it would be neat to be good at it, but I'm not really up to spending the time to get good at it.
For now, I'll continue to play every now and then - but I'm not going to do it exclusively.
(P.S. Many thanks to those from BGG who have taken the time to review my games with me - my opinions above in no way reflect upon you guys. You're great!)
Since 2AM last night, I've played MANY games of Go. I've rediscovered why I'm not a big fan of abstract games. For the record, I lose most of the board games I play - but I have a good time. Go on the other hand...
Don't get me wrong. I have been enjoying myself. But after each game I sit there with a deer-in-the-headlight look thinking to myself "I don't get it." Granted, I'm new to the game and there is a lot to grasp, but I can't lose myself in the theme or the experience like I can with other board games I play. I end up frustrated with lack of players who suck as much as I do (teachers are great, but I'm usually in the mood to PLAY not sit in class). I'm going to have to reiterate what I've said before about Go: I think it would be neat to be good at it, but I'm not really up to spending the time to get good at it.
For now, I'll continue to play every now and then - but I'm not going to do it exclusively.
(P.S. Many thanks to those from BGG who have taken the time to review my games with me - my opinions above in no way reflect upon you guys. You're great!)
Sunday, July 25, 2004
Go Go Go!
It's 2AM and I just finished my first full-sized 19x19 game of Go on the Kiseido Go Server. I lost by 131 points. Sheesh. Still, I enjoyed myself which is a bit surprising because I'm not a big fan of abstract games and Go is the ultimate abstract. What sets Go apart is that I actually think it would be neat to be good at it whereas Chess, Backgammon, etc. I could care less about.
I went over to play because of another journal entry talked about it. So let me add my info:
My user name on the Kiseido Go Server is sbwilson (go figure) and my current rank is 21k - it is probably quite a bit lower but I've only played the one game and the system just doesn't know how much I suck yet.
This might be the beginning of an interesting foray into the world of Go. I expect to write more about it in the future.
"It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye."
I went over to play because of another journal entry talked about it. So let me add my info:
My user name on the Kiseido Go Server is sbwilson (go figure) and my current rank is 21k - it is probably quite a bit lower but I've only played the one game and the system just doesn't know how much I suck yet.
This might be the beginning of an interesting foray into the world of Go. I expect to write more about it in the future.
"It's all fun and games until someone loses an eye."
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Clean Livin'
Holy smokes!
Okay, I was on my way home from work. As I was passing by the university's colleseum, I noticed that a nearby church was having a huge rummage sale there. So I decided to stroll on through to see what lame games were there. I saw quite a few people carrying the standard gaming drivel (Shadowlords, Trival Pursuit, Conspiracy, various kid games) when a large box caught my eye.
Dark Tower!
All those people buying all that other crap and completely dismissing Dark Tower! "Something must be wrong," I thought to myself. I elbow my way through the crowd. I notice the box looks lopsided (tower doesn't fit nicely without the cardboard inserts) and has one split corner. Perhaps that is why it's still there. Still, there is very little shelf-wear. So I pop the (EGADS!) tape holding it together and check to see if everything is there.
Geez! The board still creaked when I opened it. This game had hardly been played! Ignoring the hostile looks of some of the attendents (presumably for having opened the game) I try to catch my breath and slow my racing heart. One key token missing. One warrior with a broken sword. Other than that, the game is pristine! How much? $3!
Firmly tucked underarm I head towards the entrance and wait nearly half an hour to make it though the line. Finally! I'm ready to pay my $3 and pull out my checkbook (didn't have any cash on me at the time). ACK!!! NO CHECKS LEFT!!! Heart starts racing again. Short of breath. Stunned-deer-in-the-headlight look.
I look for a place to stash it. Nowhere. Crap. I'm now being followed by a suspicious fellow. I put it underneath the table I got it from and walk quickly towards the exit. When I get outside I break into a run (someone probably thought I was stealing something), hop in my car and break the record for driving from work to home.
I fly up the stairs, throw open the door and shout, "Babe! Where's your checkbook? I need it NOW!" Five seconds later I'm running back out the door with a "I'll explain when I get back!" shouted over my shoulder.
Another speed record. I try not to knock down the slow people in front of my to get back to the table where the game is. I look. It's not there! NOOOOO! Ah wait! There it is on top! They must have seen me stash it and went to make sure everything was okey-dokie.
Paid. Out the door. In the car. Back home.
My wife's exact response: "You must have bought a game. I never see you move so fast in this heat unless it was for a game." Boy, do I love her!
I realized I didn't explain very well when she said, "You spent HOW much on a game?"
"No no no no. It's worth over $100. I only spent $3!"
She calmed down after that.
Verdict? IT WORKS! It REALLY works!
Explaination? (to quote Bugs Bunny) "Clean Livin'!"
---
(So anyone want a copy of Dark Tower? I don't really want it - I just couldn't stop thinking of how many games I could buy/trade with it!)
Okay, I was on my way home from work. As I was passing by the university's colleseum, I noticed that a nearby church was having a huge rummage sale there. So I decided to stroll on through to see what lame games were there. I saw quite a few people carrying the standard gaming drivel (Shadowlords, Trival Pursuit, Conspiracy, various kid games) when a large box caught my eye.
Dark Tower!
All those people buying all that other crap and completely dismissing Dark Tower! "Something must be wrong," I thought to myself. I elbow my way through the crowd. I notice the box looks lopsided (tower doesn't fit nicely without the cardboard inserts) and has one split corner. Perhaps that is why it's still there. Still, there is very little shelf-wear. So I pop the (EGADS!) tape holding it together and check to see if everything is there.
Geez! The board still creaked when I opened it. This game had hardly been played! Ignoring the hostile looks of some of the attendents (presumably for having opened the game) I try to catch my breath and slow my racing heart. One key token missing. One warrior with a broken sword. Other than that, the game is pristine! How much? $3!
Firmly tucked underarm I head towards the entrance and wait nearly half an hour to make it though the line. Finally! I'm ready to pay my $3 and pull out my checkbook (didn't have any cash on me at the time). ACK!!! NO CHECKS LEFT!!! Heart starts racing again. Short of breath. Stunned-deer-in-the-headlight look.
I look for a place to stash it. Nowhere. Crap. I'm now being followed by a suspicious fellow. I put it underneath the table I got it from and walk quickly towards the exit. When I get outside I break into a run (someone probably thought I was stealing something), hop in my car and break the record for driving from work to home.
I fly up the stairs, throw open the door and shout, "Babe! Where's your checkbook? I need it NOW!" Five seconds later I'm running back out the door with a "I'll explain when I get back!" shouted over my shoulder.
Another speed record. I try not to knock down the slow people in front of my to get back to the table where the game is. I look. It's not there! NOOOOO! Ah wait! There it is on top! They must have seen me stash it and went to make sure everything was okey-dokie.
Paid. Out the door. In the car. Back home.
My wife's exact response: "You must have bought a game. I never see you move so fast in this heat unless it was for a game." Boy, do I love her!
I realized I didn't explain very well when she said, "You spent HOW much on a game?"
"No no no no. It's worth over $100. I only spent $3!"
She calmed down after that.
Verdict? IT WORKS! It REALLY works!
Explaination? (to quote Bugs Bunny) "Clean Livin'!"
---
(So anyone want a copy of Dark Tower? I don't really want it - I just couldn't stop thinking of how many games I could buy/trade with it!)
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Return From Camping
The family reunion went surprisingly well. We were one of the last to arrive Thursday night, so I wasn't planning on gaming since it was getting late. However I heard a voice coming from the campfire, "Hey! I have this great new game called Apples to Apples. Wanna play?" Of course the ones who know me better then replied, "Oh, you better get Steve over here - he loves games."
So we played with about 10 people until we could no longer read the cards by the dying campfire. Since this was a public campgrounds I'm afraid we were a little to...enthusiastic. No, we were just plain loud. I felt bad for those who came up for some peaceful, quite camping.
Next morning I was up early. I went down the the lake edge and watched the sun rise then took a hike for some exploring. I tried to come up with some pithy saying relating games and life but came up blank. So I headed back.
Everyone was still asleep. Lightweights. Being who I am, I pulled out my game case and the Book of Classic Board Games. I'm not much of an abstract fan, but this was a way to kill time. So I played a game of solitare and then some Go on the 9x9 board in the book. Go really facinates me. It's really the only abstract that does. I've never actually played a game with another person yet.
I was about halfway through when people starting waking up. When they saw me already up and playing by myself, there were a lot of rolling of the eyes and looks of "he's the strange one in the family". Hardly.
After breakfast, the family split. About half went down to the lake to play in the water and half went huckleberry picking. I convinced two of my brothers-in-law (not too hard to do) to hang back and get a game started. I pulled out Modern Art. I had played only once or twice before and had a hard time remembering the details of the game (it was the only set of rules that didn't get packed). But I explained the basics and we were off.
As we were nearing the end, something finally clicked in my brain. I had to not only worry about how much the painting was going to be worth, but how much I was paying to the others. Pretty basic strategy, I know, but it finally made sense to me. Gene was going for a landslide victory in the last round, but David and I had enough cards of another artist to kill Gene's profits. I managed to barely win. They both really enjoyed it and started a conversation on what they would do differently in the first few rounds now that they knew how to play. Ah...after game analysis! Is there anything better?
The huckleberry pickers came back and we all joined the rest down at the lake. Most of us went swimming (COLD!) or canoing while the grandparents sat on the shore and chatted. I started up a "How Deep Can I Dig a Hole In the Sand" and was quickly joined by all the little kids. We didn't get that deep (to me anyways) because we were so close to the water, but the kids enjoyed digging and then having one of them stand in it and burying them up to their waist.
Lunch rolled around and I began to wish I owned a hammock. Not having one, I propped myself up under a nearby tree and snoozed. I woke up a little bit later to the distinctive clatter of Can't Stop pieces. Does that make me even more a board game geek when game pieces can be identified by their sound? I wandered over to where a lot of the girls were gathered and listened to the smack-talk and watched the final throws. They offered to play again, but Can't Stop isn't really a favorite of mine so I offered to teach them a new game, Mamma Mia.
I really botched this one up. Instead of being intelligent and rereading the rules to refresh my memory, I started rattling things off. They picked up the basic idea quickly, so I thought everything was good. However, when it got down to scoring the pizzas it got confusing. We finished and they said it was all right but nothing great. I had to agree.
We sat around and visited with other family for a bit and then struck up another game, Quo Vadis. I got Gene and David to play again and my wife joined us this time. None of us had played before, so we were very hesitant for the first part and there wasn't much negotiation. It wasn't until near the very end that we realized the laurels were what was going to win the game. I was in absolutly no position to get anymore and we couldn't stop Gene from voting himself into the last spot in a few turns. I came in last and David won. We all liked it and would like to try it again now that we know what is going on.
We were called to dinner so we sat around and talked some more. As the light started to fade Apple to Apples came out again, this time with a lot more people wanting to play. I wasn't sure if I could handle a party game (everyone was looking pretty tired to begin with) so I nobly offered to put my three kids to bed so my wife could stay up and play. Everyone thought I was a great husband/father...don't you love family politics?
As we were packing up early next morning to go home, my wife told me how it went. Apparently she strongly dislikes the way they were playing. Everyone gets a card in, no speed, no competition, and (when it came to a few of her sisters) no rhyme or reason to the style of playing. For example: my wife's youngest sister (age 17) loves TV (side note: this is the girl who also brought a hair dryer, curling iron, makeup, etc.). The description on the card she read was "boring" and someone turned in the card "Television". Well, she picked that one just because she loves TV and doesn't think it is boring at all. Things like that really ruined it for my wife and probably others as well.
Looking back it was a pretty good weekend. I got to play more games than I expected. I probably would have brought less games in order to play some of them more times, but that might not have happened in any case. All in all, I'm happy with my family, happy with life, and happy I'm a board game geek!
So we played with about 10 people until we could no longer read the cards by the dying campfire. Since this was a public campgrounds I'm afraid we were a little to...enthusiastic. No, we were just plain loud. I felt bad for those who came up for some peaceful, quite camping.
Next morning I was up early. I went down the the lake edge and watched the sun rise then took a hike for some exploring. I tried to come up with some pithy saying relating games and life but came up blank. So I headed back.
Everyone was still asleep. Lightweights. Being who I am, I pulled out my game case and the Book of Classic Board Games. I'm not much of an abstract fan, but this was a way to kill time. So I played a game of solitare and then some Go on the 9x9 board in the book. Go really facinates me. It's really the only abstract that does. I've never actually played a game with another person yet.
I was about halfway through when people starting waking up. When they saw me already up and playing by myself, there were a lot of rolling of the eyes and looks of "he's the strange one in the family". Hardly.
After breakfast, the family split. About half went down to the lake to play in the water and half went huckleberry picking. I convinced two of my brothers-in-law (not too hard to do) to hang back and get a game started. I pulled out Modern Art. I had played only once or twice before and had a hard time remembering the details of the game (it was the only set of rules that didn't get packed). But I explained the basics and we were off.
As we were nearing the end, something finally clicked in my brain. I had to not only worry about how much the painting was going to be worth, but how much I was paying to the others. Pretty basic strategy, I know, but it finally made sense to me. Gene was going for a landslide victory in the last round, but David and I had enough cards of another artist to kill Gene's profits. I managed to barely win. They both really enjoyed it and started a conversation on what they would do differently in the first few rounds now that they knew how to play. Ah...after game analysis! Is there anything better?
The huckleberry pickers came back and we all joined the rest down at the lake. Most of us went swimming (COLD!) or canoing while the grandparents sat on the shore and chatted. I started up a "How Deep Can I Dig a Hole In the Sand" and was quickly joined by all the little kids. We didn't get that deep (to me anyways) because we were so close to the water, but the kids enjoyed digging and then having one of them stand in it and burying them up to their waist.
Lunch rolled around and I began to wish I owned a hammock. Not having one, I propped myself up under a nearby tree and snoozed. I woke up a little bit later to the distinctive clatter of Can't Stop pieces. Does that make me even more a board game geek when game pieces can be identified by their sound? I wandered over to where a lot of the girls were gathered and listened to the smack-talk and watched the final throws. They offered to play again, but Can't Stop isn't really a favorite of mine so I offered to teach them a new game, Mamma Mia.
I really botched this one up. Instead of being intelligent and rereading the rules to refresh my memory, I started rattling things off. They picked up the basic idea quickly, so I thought everything was good. However, when it got down to scoring the pizzas it got confusing. We finished and they said it was all right but nothing great. I had to agree.
We sat around and visited with other family for a bit and then struck up another game, Quo Vadis. I got Gene and David to play again and my wife joined us this time. None of us had played before, so we were very hesitant for the first part and there wasn't much negotiation. It wasn't until near the very end that we realized the laurels were what was going to win the game. I was in absolutly no position to get anymore and we couldn't stop Gene from voting himself into the last spot in a few turns. I came in last and David won. We all liked it and would like to try it again now that we know what is going on.
We were called to dinner so we sat around and talked some more. As the light started to fade Apple to Apples came out again, this time with a lot more people wanting to play. I wasn't sure if I could handle a party game (everyone was looking pretty tired to begin with) so I nobly offered to put my three kids to bed so my wife could stay up and play. Everyone thought I was a great husband/father...don't you love family politics?
As we were packing up early next morning to go home, my wife told me how it went. Apparently she strongly dislikes the way they were playing. Everyone gets a card in, no speed, no competition, and (when it came to a few of her sisters) no rhyme or reason to the style of playing. For example: my wife's youngest sister (age 17) loves TV (side note: this is the girl who also brought a hair dryer, curling iron, makeup, etc.). The description on the card she read was "boring" and someone turned in the card "Television". Well, she picked that one just because she loves TV and doesn't think it is boring at all. Things like that really ruined it for my wife and probably others as well.
Looking back it was a pretty good weekend. I got to play more games than I expected. I probably would have brought less games in order to play some of them more times, but that might not have happened in any case. All in all, I'm happy with my family, happy with life, and happy I'm a board game geek!
Thursday, July 08, 2004
Family Reunions, Camping, and Games
Ah yes, family first. Case in point: We are leaving after work today to go to a huge family reunion this weekend.
My wife's side of the family has planned a camping trip with 30+ people and as we were packing, I couldn't pass up the chance to pack as many games as possible. True, playing games with the extended family has been irritating...um...interesting in times past. There have been those moments of pure fun to keep the hope alive.
So there I was emptying out a clear plastic container that had been used for emergency car supplies (jumper cables, flares, extra diapers, etc.) to use as a temporary game box. I limited myself to only those games that could fit in there - so no huge boards. Here is what I managed to squeeze in:
Apples to Apples
Settlers of Catan
Settlers of Catan Card Game
Can't Stop
Quo Vadis
Mamma Mia
For Sale
Take It Easy
Modern Art
Rook
Citadels
Parcheesi
Dominoes
A Deck of Cards
--Books--
Gamut of Games
Card Games Around the World
Book of Classic Board Games
I wanted to get a good range of games as some are decidedly non-gamers and think I have some sort of mental aberation...which really isn't that far from the truth.
When we get back, I'll probably make a geeklist of these games with comments on if we played and how it went.
My wife's side of the family has planned a camping trip with 30+ people and as we were packing, I couldn't pass up the chance to pack as many games as possible. True, playing games with the extended family has been irritating...um...interesting in times past. There have been those moments of pure fun to keep the hope alive.
So there I was emptying out a clear plastic container that had been used for emergency car supplies (jumper cables, flares, extra diapers, etc.) to use as a temporary game box. I limited myself to only those games that could fit in there - so no huge boards. Here is what I managed to squeeze in:
Apples to Apples
Settlers of Catan
Settlers of Catan Card Game
Can't Stop
Quo Vadis
Mamma Mia
For Sale
Take It Easy
Modern Art
Rook
Citadels
Parcheesi
Dominoes
A Deck of Cards
--Books--
Gamut of Games
Card Games Around the World
Book of Classic Board Games
I wanted to get a good range of games as some are decidedly non-gamers and think I have some sort of mental aberation...which really isn't that far from the truth.
When we get back, I'll probably make a geeklist of these games with comments on if we played and how it went.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Back in College
No no. This is not a rememberance of my good ol' youthful days of college. I'm literally back in college. A 30-year old with a quickly growing family quit his job, moved across the state of Washington and is now working part-time at the university library so rent and food (not to mention tuition) can be paid.
Needless to say, gaming purchases will be non-existent. That's not to say I don't occasionally drive across the state line to a small game shop in the basement of a drug store to drool over the outrageously priced games. At least I can touch them.
It's actually not much of a withdrawl. I never had much of a gaming group. We've moved around too much to develop anything. I know my kids wish I'd play more games with them, but I have only a few kid games at their level (my oldest child is 6). Don't get me wrong, I enjoy spending time with my family, but board games don't seem to be part of that. Pretty sad for a self-proclaimed board game geek. Maybe as they get older.
For now, it becomes a balancing act of family, school, and gaming. It's going to be an interesting year...
Needless to say, gaming purchases will be non-existent. That's not to say I don't occasionally drive across the state line to a small game shop in the basement of a drug store to drool over the outrageously priced games. At least I can touch them.
It's actually not much of a withdrawl. I never had much of a gaming group. We've moved around too much to develop anything. I know my kids wish I'd play more games with them, but I have only a few kid games at their level (my oldest child is 6). Don't get me wrong, I enjoy spending time with my family, but board games don't seem to be part of that. Pretty sad for a self-proclaimed board game geek. Maybe as they get older.
For now, it becomes a balancing act of family, school, and gaming. It's going to be an interesting year...
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