Hello Fellow Gamers!

Well, the year is half over - have you gotten in your share of gaming fun? I hope so! If not - why not? Too busy? No one to play with? Your husband or wife won't let you? What's your excuse?

Ok, if you are too busy to play, that's an easy remedy - scheduling. See, I too was once like you. I thought "man - I am too busy to take time out of my schedule to play games, even though I love gaming!" Well, that's when we here at the NGG committed ourselves to starting a once-a-week gathering at a local game store (well, it actually started out as a once a month event, but that's too few and far between!). Once I had that on my mental schedule (and later on my Palm Pilot) I was rolling every week, meeting new people, playing new games, and enjoying my taking a break from everything else to revel in my love for gaming. Sure, I have to miss a week every once and a while, but I attend about 99% of the time, and I love it.

If you've got no one to play with - what are you doing about that? Have you attended local gaming events and/or conventions to meet people who enjoy the same games as you? Have you considered placing a classified ad in the NGG's "Meet Gamers" area? How about doing a Google search to see if there are any groups in your area? If all else fails, how about a PBEM (play by e-mail) group or playing online? It's not as social as meeting people face-to-face, but at least you are gaming! Then again, there is a social aspect to these forms of gaming as well - sure, you may never meet these people - Hans from Germany may never show up at your local game store - but you can discuss things and make online friends. Go for it!

If your issue is a controlling spouse, that's a tough one. Some people see gaming as an immature activity reserved for children and the socially inept. Well, I'm here to rebut that stance. See, gaming is a social activity - while gaming, you may be working on your people skills, your diplomatic skills, or your fear of the opposite sex, or any other social fears that you may have. Also, you are being challenged with games. Your brain is like a muscle - if you don't flex it and work it, it's never going to grow. (I mean this not in a literal sense, mind you.)

My wife once had an issue with my love for gaming. That's when I reminded her of the benefits of gaming. I also pointed out that many of the people that we played party games with went on to buy their own party games and have their own gaming parties! It's no different than her love for music (something that I share), her love of making jewelry, or her love for Karaoke (something that I do not share) or cooking. Just like these things that she loves, it takes time, money, sometimes even storage space and has benefits as well. When I put it in that context, she understood and the issue was resolved. Sure, every once and a while when I show up with a new game, she shakes her head, but when she hits the bead store or the local "kitchen gadget" store I can show her the parallels in her interests in these things and my interests as well. Situation resolved.

I suppose that one thing that helps in our relationship is that she is willing to game on a certain level - particularly with party games and the occasional role-playing game. I found that she loved playing party games whenever we had guests over. So, to nurture her love of this type of gaming I bought some party-type games and helped her organize some time for people to come over and play. Now, when we attend other people's events, we bring games along either because their gaming collection is limited to a single game like Monopoly or Pictionary, or their gaming collection is non-existent - or they just plain expect us to.

I remember having her sister and her sister's husband over for some post-Thanksgiving gaming. We taught them "Apples to Apples" and made a connection with them - something that we really hadn't had a chance to do. After that, talking with them at family functions about the weather and other meaningless subjects was at an end - we had moved on to a new level in our familial relationship and had a whole new respect for each other. Also, they ended up purchasing the game for themselves - the 3rd sibling in her family to do so after playing the game.

If your spouse has issue with your gaming, you can either try to get them involved in it, or explain your position to them and take my advice and tie it to something that they themselves enjoy, like I did with my wife. Gaming is growing here in America - something that is long overdue. It's no longer limited to children and social misfits. Many people are realizing that it's more than just kids stuff - there are many benefits to gaming - especially gaming with your family.

I could go on and on about this subject, but I fear that I may loose your interest if I haven't already. I am passionate about gaming - all aspect of it. I play games with my children, and the benefits of it are too great to list. If you have children and share common interests you know what I am talking about. Gaming isn't limited to families, either. Get out there - meet some new people, and make time for yourself. If you aren't going to take care of yourself, who will? Like a certain shoe company once said - "Just Do It!"

Take care everyone. 'Till next time - GAME ON!

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