Excellence, or In Praise of Losing
One of our core values is progressive excellence, that is, we intend to be better tomorrow than we are today. It’s a kind of anti-perfection mentality—we can’t be perfect, but we can work on the things in front of us and improve. Whether that’s menu innovations or curating the game collection, or even improving how we teach games and develop relationships in this space, it’s important for us to try to do better each time.
It strikes me that this is one strategy for learning a new board game as well, to try some things out, to attempt to improve the tactics you’ve deployed, and to play again, to try again and do better the next time. The two-player card game Stellar comes to mind as one I’ve played several times and each time thought, “Wait, let’s try that again, I think I can do that better.” A friend of mine feels that way about Azul: Queen’s Garden (the third in the Azul series of games).
Losing a game can hurt, and it can be a learning experience, but I find it’s also really helpful for me to remember why I’m playing in the first place. I’m not playing to win, though that’s lovely; I’m playing to have a good time with the other players.
Part of what makes this such an important value is that when we fail or when we lose—we are human after all—we can be aware of our mistakes, we can be curious about them rather than judgmental. In a game, we can learn from the mistakes we make and play more efficiently or simply know the game better. In our life together—and I know I’m not the first to say such things—our failures are invitations to try again, to learn. And sometimes, losing simply lets us be present with the people around us.
Alice C, board game librarian
Play Pictures: You’ll Be Delighted
Pictures is a fun, abstract game where players attempt to recreate the image in a photo with materials that are decidedly not photographic. In the box are five sets of components for players to manipulate so that their fellows can guess which photo they are emulating: a set of children’s building blocks, two shoelaces, a set of three sticks and three stones, a small deck of cards with emoji on them, and a set of colored cubes and a small frame. It’s hilarious to watch and hear the commentary of players as they attempt to mimic the photos with such inappropriate materials!
It never feels like you’re playing the same game twice because the creativity of the user is the most important part. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a first-timer, this game is a delight.
Matt W, owner and game nerd
Try our Vegan Flatbread
Listen, friends, our burgers and chicken sandwiches are delicious, but did you know we have some allergen-friendly offerings? By popular demand, Chef Anthony created this delicious vegan and gluten-free flatbread featuring vodka sauce, vegan mozzarella, and sauteed zucchini, carrots, and garlic. It’s crisp, it’s flavorful, and it’s available now!
Come by to play Pictures and share one with a friend!
Tuesdays: trading card game nights!
Links
See what fun events are coming up on our calendar here.
Give us feedback on your experience or a board game or event suggestion here.
Need a way to decide on a first player? Check out this fun randomizer site.
And of course check out our website here and our social media here!