By Michael Watt
My cousin Chris has been kicking my butt playing Scrabble online since she first challenged me to a game several months ago. It’s a vicious cycle, really. She challenges. I accept. She strings me along, keeping the game close and, whammo! She finds a “xi” with “x” on a Triple Letter or Triple Word score and the next thing you know I am eating her dust.
I keep accepting her challenges not because I am glutton for punishment but because you can learn a lot when it comes to playing games. How to create and implement strategy, for instance, or even how not to jump at the first word / solution that becomes immediately apparent. Lots of times I have discovered words with more points than the first word that comes to mind. The lessons learned playing Scrabble can be very helpful as one competes in the business world.
Unfortunately, to many people life is a game – and I am not referring to the Milton Bradley product. The rules to this game are not written anywhere, and they are subject to change without notice. I don’t like that. I don’t like to be manipulated or used. I take people at their word until they give me reason not to, and what you hear from me is what I am thinking (usually). I don’t have a plan, I don’t sit up at night scheming about what I am going to do or say to other people to gain an advantage. Sometimes I wonder if that is the best way to go through life. Perhaps I am being painfully naive, or just plain stupid. I hope not.
Do you like to play games? Am I being naive and/or stupid? Should I keep playing my cousin Chris?
Posted by Chris Slattery on April 27, 2011 at 8:00 am
I do not string you along — but a lot of Scrabble is the letters you’re randomly dealt and when in the game you get them, just like a lot of life is the opportunities you’re dealt and when in the game you get them. It’s nice to win, but it’s the beauty of the game and what you make of what you’re dealt that’s the true meaning of Scrabble and of life.