The XP value of friends...

I've been sitting on that entry title for literally two weeks (and I've been sitting on this blog for months). I was thinking the other day how all of my good friendships (except with my wife and brother in law and one or two rarities) have been gained and strengthened through gaming.

I game socially with people at least once a week, usually several times and if I'm lucky, every day. I played Liar's Dice with the Monday Night crowd and it was amazing fun.

A question I find myself asking is this: what the hell do non gamers do? I guess any interest can be a basis for social interaction but gaming, especially board gaming, requires it. People who knit can talk about knitting I guess, and you can knit near someone else but unless you're quilting together (yes I know sewing and quilting and knitting are all different things) you're not really interacting with the other person in a direct way.

Gaming lays bare personality. I may have different political or religious views than the folks I game with but I know that they are decent, fair, and dedicated people. I wouldn't game with them otherwise and if I'm not gaming with you, we're not close. Games have become a lithmus test of an individuals quality.

Does this make it hard to make friends with people who don't see every gathering as an excuse to break out a board game? Sometimes, but I am multifacted and connect with people fairly easily. I tend to breach the 'game question' with anyone I get close to and attempt to be an ambassador of my hobby.

Breaking out the games has become much more structured since becoming a father of course. But I game twice a week in person if possible and try to get an hour or more in of City of Heroes each evening.

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