We play an awful lot of Scrabble around these parts.
It’s probably due to the fact that one Mr. Jason Watt [of J. Watt’s Barista House fame] has a deep love and affection for the letter wars. There always seems to be a game going on within the walls of the coffee shop, and I’m not one to complain.
I love Scrabble and I have for a long time. I can remember specific seasons from my life in which my friends and I would play back-to-back games for hours and hours. And nothing is better than getting a triple word score with the word ‘quiz.’ Of course, using all 7 letters to play the word ‘joggles’ isn’t half bad either.
Though I’d never turn down a game of Scrabble, I would have to say that it’s never been “my” game. You know what I mean by “my” game, right?
Remember that time you said you liked hippos and then for the rest of your life you’ve been receiving hippo themed gifts for every holiday and event?
How about when you studied Cleopatra for a project in school? Are your college friends and siblings still forwarding you emails and blog posts they stumble upon discussing all things Egyptian Queen?
These things belong to you. Whether you like it or not, really.
I am guilty of placing ownership of themes to my friends and family, just as much as I am guilty of taking ownership of themes, too.
My mother collects teapots. Growing up, she received teapots for every holiday and birthday. When vacationing, we would track down a location-themed teapot for her souvenir. She has a kitchen Christmas tree covered in teapot themed ornaments. Naturally, when I see a teapot, I think of my mother.
My boss, Jenn, has a thing for elephants. I don’t know where it came from or how long ago it started, but if you walk into her office, you know that this is a trait which people know about her. An elephant paper clip holder, pen cup, basket, wall art, and photo frame. Elephant statues made of stone and wood and steel and glass. Naturally, when I see an elephant, I think of Jenn.
I have an owl thing. It started long ago, before it was hip to love an owl. I’ve wanted an owl as a pet way before Harry Potter had his own. I don’t know where it started, or why it’s continued. Five minutes in my apartment, though, and you’d know it was true. I’ve received owls for all sorts of gifts, in all sorts of details. Owls are one of my things.
So are Presidents. And all things Badger.
I am very thankful that I have family and friends who give such thoughtful gifts. It means so much to receive something that I know my loved one saw and thought instantly of me.
Like Jason, Scrabble belongs to my sister, Melissa. It’s her thing. When I am surfing Pinterest like a mad woman for a 20 minute brain break, and stumble on Scrabble cookies or wall art – I think of Jason and Melissa. When Halley shares this adorable engagement gift idea, I think of Jason and Melissa. [Just not together. That would be weird.]
My game was always trivia: most often Trivial Pursuit.
I think it began in high school, when a group of friends would come to my parents’ house and we would sit around reading cards to one another. We RARELY played with the board itself those days, but when we did, I rarely, if ever, won. [This may be because every one of my friends from Lodi are ridiculously brilliant.]
Then in college we started playing with the board more often than not. And living in Texas it was the same, with various versions and editions of the game. [It probably won’t surprise you that I am a big fan of the Pop Culture version, as a self-proclaimed pop-culture princess, and all.]
Now, in New York, we have Trivia Friday in office each week, in which we play quiz game style [though sometimes the idea of “buzzing” or “dinging” in to answer is lost on everyone….but me….ahem.] We use cards from the 1989 Children’s Edition of Trivial Pursuit. This can either be seen as an advantage or a disadvantage depending on how you look at it. [and how old you are.] [and if you are good at remembering to answer Soviet Union rather than Russia.]
Another game I’d gladly claim as “mine” – Euchre.
What’s Euchre, you ask? Well, you must not be a Midwesterner 
[The majority of people I know who are familiar with Euchre are from Wisconsin, Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota. Uff dah!]
Euchre is [typically] a four person, partnered, trick-taking card game played with a 24 card deck. If that doesn’t confuse you, wait until I take the time to explain Bowers, trump, going alone, taking the bottoms, sticking the dealer, skunking and, of course, Euchre-ing.
Typically, I have a rule when it comes to teaching people Euchre. I won’t teach more than two people at a time. There are so many small details and “things to get the hang of” in this game, that it is always best, at least in my eyes, to have at least one person in each partnership that knows what the hell is going on.
I’ve been on the hunt for locals to play with since I moved to New York, and finally decided to abandon all good sense and teach the game on my own, to three unknowing pals, during a three hour road trip to NYC a couple of weeks ago.
Euchre is a game that reminds me of home. The very thought of the game brings me on a nostalgic memory vacation to Wisconsin:
Playing several games in bleachers during all-day-long wrestling tournaments each wintery Saturday during high school. Teaching newbies how to play on my dorm room floor the night before Euchre tournaments [with cash prizes!] put on by Student Orgs in college. Drinking beer on the terrace as the sun sets over the lake, sipping on summer as it rolls into town. Ahhhhhhhhh – Euchre! I’d say that’s “my” game, too.
What games from your past would you declare ownership over?
I love trivia. I store away little bits of trivia for use on random questions like famous chinese movies or the specific cooking process titles. It’s a way for my random brain habit of remembering almost everything to be useful.
I’m also really good at Canasta. It’s one of those games people either know or they don’t. Canasta and spades were card games my family played as a kid and I wish I had people to play them with now.
Cynthia (It All Changes) recently posted..Banana Ginger Muffins
Euchre! Love that game! I’m from eastern Iowa and it’s a great past time there as well. We played on the bus all the time in high school and there is always tournaments and such.
I’m calling ownership over the game Memory. I can still beat everyone in my family, but no one really wants to play anymore.
Alyssa @ Don’t Look Down recently posted..Monthly Goals: October
Scrabble and Monopoly are my games! I’ve had the same Monopoly board since I was 13, it’s so special to me. As for collections, my boyfriend knows to pass over all ticket stubs to me, I save them all.
Halley (Blunder Construction) recently posted..They Did the Bash
I was taught Euchre by The Boy, our former roommate, and FM’s wife.
I had THREE people teaching me and got so flustered by how many people were throwing rules at me left and right that after we finished the first game I was more confused than when I started. I was frustrated and didn’t want to play again. Ever.
I’ve played one more time since then. I still don’t think I understand it.
Deva @ Deva by Definition recently posted..Socially Awkward
I think it’s best to play A LOT of rounds “open handed” (with your cards face up) so that you get the hang of it. Good teachers are half the battle with Euchre – I WATCHED several, SEVERAL games of Euchre, before I ever started playing myself. I was lucky enough to have a few friends that would let me sit with them as they played and teach me things over time. it can definitely be a project!
Ahhhh! What a cute post. I do love scrabble, although “my game” is called Dictionary. I’m not sure if anyone plays it aside from my family, but the rules are this: one person opens a dictionary, finds a word that they are sure nobody in the room probably knows, and then everyone else writes down a phony definition with the intention of fooling everyone else into believing that theirs is the real one. After I moved away to college, I realized that the game “balderdash” is the same thing, but I know mine is better because all you need is a dictionary!
I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE this!
Don’t for get about “JOSH”
sorry I need to type more carefully…I meant don’t forget
hahaha. Yes! Thanks, Mom!
I love this post. Maybe I can convince Brian to play a game with me tonight (although I’m not sure what “my” game is…perhaps I can figure it out!)
Emily @ Relishments recently posted..Greylock Federal’s 5k Fall Classic
Cranium is my game, but this post reminds me that I seriously need to learn how to play Euchre!
Jessica @ Healthy Dairyland recently posted..Gym Rat?
your mission, if you choose to accept it?
learn how to play Euchre before HLS 2012!
I accept the challenge! I will let my mom and dad know that their euchre club has to start back up immediately!
Jessica @ Healthy Dairyland recently posted..10 Miles Later
Um. I’m from MN and don’t think I’ve ever heard of Euchre. I think I’ve been raised incorrectly.
I really like trivia, especially if it involves things I love. My dad’s really good at it, and I’ve learned a lot of random things from him. In Sunday school one time, we did a combination of Bible, Disney, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and TV trivia, and my team won. But my favorite is probably Bible trivia. I was often my own team in small group.
Our youth pastor has a Bible trivia game that is a lot of fun–his uncle created it, and he got a copy of it. I want it to become a patented, chain thing.
Rebecca recently posted..HOME!
Owls are one of my things, too! I adored them as a little child and the affinity for owls has stuck with me. I too receive owl-themed presents, from decorative owls to owl jewelry. I just can’t get enough and I love the ones you have pictured here!
Nick’s Mother, Kathleen, recently told me that Owls are a symbol of luck in Polish culture. This little fun fact made me especially happy, since my Dad’s side of the family is Polish!!
Wow, what a fun fact for owl-lovers! But especially cool considering your Polish roots! I always feel lucky when I spot an owl in nature, so I think I know what the Polish are talking about : )
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