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Daily Words 1/25/6
Saturday, January 28th, 2006 02:57 pmOne benefit of regular activities is that they provide a temporal measurement tool. I met Keith Baker at an On the Edge tournament at GenghisCon in 1997. When he learned I lived in Boulder, he gave me his business card with an address on the back and said "We play games on Wednesday. Come by sometime." I had another Wednesday commitment at the time, but brought over a few On the Edge decks that summer, expecting it was a Cell Gathering. It turned out that the world of the Bakery was much broader, full of all sorts of interesting games. I got my picture taken with Bossy the Cow. If I played Trip'd (a tetris game for the 3DO) that night I lost horribly.
Eight and a half years later, I visit the Bakery less often, mostly because I've moved south. But when I'm there I play old favorites and new games (some of which haven't hit the market or even been finalized). Some of the same people are there (sometimes with small children) and there are some new attendees. An entire side of the refrigerator is covered with people's pictures taken with Bossy. Keith has attained fame and success as the author of the newest Dungeons and Dragons world. If I get a little luck I can beat Keith or Rob at Trip'd. I still have the hat in the Bossy picture, but my beard has gone to a small flower to a full bush. I've received two college degrees and got married. It's been several years since I've played On the Edge, but I may start an Over the Edge game soon.
Other people change too. Keith may be moving to Austin. It's sad to think I may not attend another Wednesday.
My challenge is to find a replacement. The Potluck Tradition had potential, but puttered out when I was away for a while. I like regular role playing groups and will certainly get back to mine once the Utah project settles down. But Wednesdays at the Bakery had some important elements that RPG groups lack. Since the games are short (you can play several in a night), people can drop in and out as they have time and interest. New friends can be invited, old friends can move away and come back, and nobody's at a disadvantage because they don't know the history. Since it's a social gathering in a house with lots of games, people who don't like games but are attached to people who do can hang out. People who like games but don't feel like playing can socialize. Since there's no agenda, what happens is up to whoever shows up.
In the world of geekery, gregarious social skills are often hard to find. Keith has been able to attract a wide and interesting variety of friends to his house. That's something I admire and aspire to do.
Eight and a half years later, I visit the Bakery less often, mostly because I've moved south. But when I'm there I play old favorites and new games (some of which haven't hit the market or even been finalized). Some of the same people are there (sometimes with small children) and there are some new attendees. An entire side of the refrigerator is covered with people's pictures taken with Bossy. Keith has attained fame and success as the author of the newest Dungeons and Dragons world. If I get a little luck I can beat Keith or Rob at Trip'd. I still have the hat in the Bossy picture, but my beard has gone to a small flower to a full bush. I've received two college degrees and got married. It's been several years since I've played On the Edge, but I may start an Over the Edge game soon.
Other people change too. Keith may be moving to Austin. It's sad to think I may not attend another Wednesday.
My challenge is to find a replacement. The Potluck Tradition had potential, but puttered out when I was away for a while. I like regular role playing groups and will certainly get back to mine once the Utah project settles down. But Wednesdays at the Bakery had some important elements that RPG groups lack. Since the games are short (you can play several in a night), people can drop in and out as they have time and interest. New friends can be invited, old friends can move away and come back, and nobody's at a disadvantage because they don't know the history. Since it's a social gathering in a house with lots of games, people who don't like games but are attached to people who do can hang out. People who like games but don't feel like playing can socialize. Since there's no agenda, what happens is up to whoever shows up.
In the world of geekery, gregarious social skills are often hard to find. Keith has been able to attract a wide and interesting variety of friends to his house. That's something I admire and aspire to do.
