I started thinking about this a few months ago, when some friends and I got on a Power Grid kick, playing it five times over the space of a month or so. I hadn’t played it before that, and I totally sucked my first game, but I ended up winning on my fifth game. It was really nice to be able to explore the game and try new strategies over time.

I don’t intend for this feature to be an All About Game X type of project. I just want to look at a good game, play it regularly for a month, gather some feedback, and then put those thoughts out for discussion at the end of the month.

I’ll try and mix up the game selection, so that they are not all short games or all family games, but chances are not good that I will choose Twilight Struggle or something that I know is not going to hit the table more than once in a particular month.

I also have a secret motive for starting this feature, that I will reveal many months from now, when I can say, “I had this plan…” If it doesn’t work out, I will make something up that sounds like it was an impressive plan.

• I’m almost ready to call it quits on my World of Warcraft account. In those few moments of downtime that I have each day, I am very rarely interested in trying to relearn everything I’ve forgotten about WoW, or try and keep up with the latest patch. It’s just not that interesting anymore. I’ve probably played a couple of hours total in the last four months, so unless someone says, “Jeff! You need to join our killer guild and hang out with us!” I will be saving myself some subscription fees each month so I can have more cash for boardgames.
• By the end of the week, I will have my very own copy of Formula D. I like racing games and this one looks fabulous. No, I have never played the game, and yes, that’s a pricey game to purchase without playing it first; however, I have heard nothing but great things from many different sources. I really looking forward to this one. I’ve been picking up filler games and card games for a while now, but this one looks like something big and special.
• I’m getting that itch to redesign my blogs, and that’s always dangerous. I think that this one will end up getting changed the most, so if there is any downtime with the site, that’s why.
• I still haven’t played Dungeons & Dragons, but it will happen. I just need to get everyone together, which is not an easy task right now.
• I will have my own copy of Finito soon. I’m anxious to see how it goes over with my game group.

Things should calm down in a week or so, and I can get some reviews posted.

Here’s the rules:

Use the first letter of your first name to answer each of the following. They have to be real places, names, things – nothing made up. Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same first initial – which by the way is hard if you already have read their answers! You cannot use your own name for the boy/girl names.

1. What is your name?: Jeff
2. A 4 letter word: Jackass
3. A vehicle: Jeep
4. A City: Jamesburg, New Jersey (extra points)
5. A boy’s name: James
6. A girls name: Jennifer
7. Alcoholic drink: Jack and Coke (which, IMHO, is one way to ruin a perfectly good Coke)
8. An occupation: Journalist
9. Something you wear: Jean Jacket (extra points)
10. A Celebrity: Janet Jackson (extra points)
11. A food: Jumbo Shrimp (no extra points, but a very good oxymoron)
12. Something found in a bathroom: Juveniles (especially when I want privacy)
13. Reason for being late: Jury Duty
14. Something you shout: Jumping Jehosophat! (extra)
15. An animal: Jaguar
16. A body part: Jejunum (part of your small intestine)
17. Word to describe yourself: Jaded

It makes me think of how much I like the Frank Herbert novel, Dune. I’ve read it at least six or seven times. I think I was in eighth grade the first time I read it. It was one of those books that changed my perception and altered my view of the world. Maybe I’ll write more about this someday, but for now, let’s just agree I like the book.

It also makes me think of how much I used to enjoy playing the Avalon Hill board game, Dune. It’s still one of my favorite games even though I haven’t played it since 1984 or so. I have a copy, and I’m sure the guys in my game group would love to play it. I just haven’t taken it to a game night yet. I’m a little afraid it won’t be as fun as I remember it.

The photo also makes me think of some old friends, Chris and Jill, who I have totally lost touch with over the last decade. They had these three crazy Siamese cats and they used to wrap them up in blankets and make kitty burritos. They were good friends and I miss them.

Finally, it makes me think of my own kitty, Hodgepodge, who was my constant companion for nearly fifteen years. She’s been gone a couple of years now, but I still think of her and I miss her more than I can say.

In the end, it’s just a cute picture, I guess, but I think it’s funny how a silly image like this one can stir up such strong emotions.

I are dunecat.

I have spent a most of my free time, of which there has been very little, learning new boardgames, playing boardgames with friends and family, or working on my own boardgame that I hope to publish someday.

We’ve taken two family vacations, celebrated a few birthdays, suffered some losses, and dealt with a lot of medical issues.

I’ve connected with old friends that I haven’t talked to in over a decade, and haven’t played World of Warcraft in over a month.

So while there has been little in terms of blogging, there’s been a lot of activity elsewhere. I will get back in the swing of writing very soon, with lots of reviews of all of the great games I’ve been playing and maybe some of my adventures in game design.

1. I have a plan that will soon be revealed.
2. Blogging gives me an opportunity to connect with some really cool people.
3. This blog helps me keep on top of my fight with depression. It’s a constant battle for me.
4. I have discovered that I really enjoy writing.
5. Blogging is one of the few creative outlets that I still can fit into my day.
6. This blog has gotten me more involved in the gaming community.
7. I like adding my voice and opinion.
8. I still think there’s a way to make a difference through blogging. I just haven’t figured it out yet.
9. Blogging encourages me to learn about new things.
10. I never managed to get into a reality television show.

I have tagged Destructo. Shut up.