Come over and play some Cards Against Humanity, someone asked me the other day. Well OK, I don't know many people in town, so why not? I'm usually for humanity, but I'm up for anything.
Socializing is a strange thing. Whether it is dating or hanging out as friends, people are strange when you're a stranger. Actually that's what the Doors sang about, but it sounds about right. For me it takes a little bit to warm up to people and places and stuff. Why is that painting there? You don't have liquid soap in your bathroom? What is wrong with you? What is your dog doing to my leg?
Cards Against Humanity is a game that brings up some interesting topics, many of which make no sense at all. As far as I could figure, there wasn't much of a point in the game as far as epic strategy or how you win or that kind of thing. But it's great for getting people talking and laughing and that's what it's about.
I always find that moving into a new place can be a little daunting as well. Everything looks different. There are strange sounds. Even staying in a nice motel room, it takes a while to fall asleep because it's all different. Why is the bed so hard? I need more blankets!! And so on. There is certainly a great feeling of safety and warmth when you are familiar with a place. Being surrounded by longtime friends and family members helps as well.
When I was in high school we used to play Dungeons and Dragons from time to time. That was a game that used a lot of imagination and each person created a character and went on an adventure. No dragon, ogre or goblin was safe from us. I guess the point is that board games, card games, table games, whatever they are, it's a great way to get together and socialize. Quite often I'll find that people just start chatting and laughing and forget to play the game for 10 or 15 minutes and that's totally OK.
But really the game is secondary and is almost more of a conduit to socializing and having a good time.
- Craig Lindsay is the Mountain View Gazette reporter.
