I'm writing this entry from 30,000 feet or so, winging my way back home from a week's vacation in Hawaii. Pretty great, I know, but that didn't extend to any games. I brought a half-dozen small ones, hoping to play some with my wife and/or kids during the flights or especially at our rented condo. I have to pack these games on the sly otherwise my wife will ask, "Why are you bringing so many?!" Actually, she asked the same when I unpacked the suitcase on Maui! The reason, of course, is that you can't count on just one or two games being a hit with mostly nongamer family members. As long as they're small and you've got the room, where's the harm?
Well, it didn't work out this time. Even when it does work, like my trip back in July, we only play a few of the ones I bring. This time we didn't really play any. Partly that's because I was only with my immediate family (my brother is the one I can most easily get to try games). But also it was the heat. Some heat is expected when you vacation on a tropical island--I know that!--but this trip was unseasonably warm. I've read theories that people play more games in areas with poorer weather, especially cold & wet indoor weather. This was just the opposite, warm & balmy. Even steamy. Under those conditions, no one wants to play a game sitting at a table--they want to go to the beach or pool.
I love the beach & pool, too--that's why we come to Hawaii. Snorkeling, body surfing, just swimming in the waves... it's all good. But after a full day of that I'd love to play a game or two on the lanai (balcony) while hearing the waves crash. Nope. It was still too warm & sticky for anyone to want to do that. I guess I need to take my family vacationing someplace where they have sleet to turn them into gamers. :-)
Even if the family games didn't happen, I was hoping to catch up on emails, this blog, maybe submit a Geeklist... those sorts of things. Nope, even I kind of lost my enthusiasm for it while on the vacation. I did at least check my emails, and one play-by-web game of Wallenstein wrapped up during the week. I even logged onto BSW once through the simple dialup line and played one game of St. Pete.
Also, it's not quite right to say I did NO gaming. My daughter is the one most likely to play something, and she was in the mood for two kids' games most adults dread: Go Fish and War. I brought a standard deck of cards, but we also bought a Hawaiian themed one. Simple or even mindless as those games are, it was still fun to play with her. I played a lot of War when I was very little, and I still enjoy its drama. :-) (For the first 20 minutes.)
Curious what I packed? I went with Flowerpower, Tally Ho!, Starship Catan, Hick Hack, Get The Goods, Bohnanza, Wurmeln, Die Fugger, Canal Grande, Battletech flip books (Lost Worlds style), Fluster, and that deck of cards.
No one went for Flowerpower?
When Kim and I went to Florida (a warm and sticky place as well) earlier this year, I packed a number of games, but it was Flowerpower that got played more than once. For some reason the game appealed to her, where before she liked the game but didn't really seem eager to play again. I reasoned this sudden interest had something to do with all near-tropical blossums surrounding us in Florida
Or maybe it was because she was attending a Plant conference at the time. :-)
Anyway, good to read your 'non' game report.
PS: So being out of touch probably allowed you to resist ordering the 2 for 1 deal of Heroscape from Toyrus, huh? Well I failed my saving throw. I've been burned by hype before (ala Tenjo), but I hoping this time things will work out. I know its pitched at a younger crowd, and I'm not really into mini's, but yikes! it looks like so much fun! And I haven't bought a game in over three months, so how can I resist?
Posted by: Mike Mayer at October 17, 2004 08:54 PMI normally take a Piecepack on holiday. It is the same size as a VHS cassette box and supports unlimited gaming.
Posted by: Iain at October 18, 2004 04:17 AMNormally Flowerpower is good for a play or two with my daugther, but this time it was just Go Fish and War. There was one time she was eager to play something else, but it came at a bad time for me (dad had to get us ready for something), so I missed it.
As for Piecepack, I used to own a set, then traded it away. I like the idea in concept, but it hits a No Man's Land for me between Pretty Wooden Abstracts (the set I had wasn't pretty enough) and more engagingly themed games.
Posted by: Mark Johnson at October 18, 2004 09:42 AMI see what you mean about the Piecepack, but for me it's flexibility and portability is key.
It would be nice to have a top quality version made, but I think it will have to become a lot more popular before that is practical.
Posted by: Iain at October 20, 2004 01:36 AM