Nick Edelstein

Posts Tagged ‘Games’

Word Wars

Monday, January 10th, 2011

So, I had this crazy idea that while preparing for Nashville I’d blog daily (with the hope of continuing that practice afterwards). People like updates, right? I managed to blog on Saturday (day 1). Yesterday was a miserable failure It was a great day, actually but I didn’t blog one word. For what it’s worth, I did watch a movie about words – Word Wars, a documentary about professional Scrabble. Quite fascinating and well-done. It reminded me of a couple things. First, don’t forget to blog today! LOL.

Second, don’t let your career negatively affect physical or mental health, social behavior, or personal happiness. I probably could’ve said that better but you’ve got the idea. These guys (in the film) are definitely amazing at what they do, but they look miserable. They sound miserable. They rarely smile. They have no social life and minimal if any family interaction. They willingly admit that they’ve become obsessed with Scrabble to the point of unhealthy addiction, which in one guy led to his gambling addiction (side bets on non-tourney Scrabble games).

It’s sad for me to see people living that way and yet, they are champions of Scrabble. Is it worth the cost? They claim “yes,” but I believe their eyes cry “No!” Maybe that’s why I’ve walked away from bands on the verge of major success … I don’t believe it’s worth the cost.

On this official “Snow Day” in Atlanta, when businesses and schools are closed, I hope everyone is enjoying quality time with their family and friends. And while you’re having fun throwing snowballs at your kid sister … don’t forget to tell all your Nashville friends about Tuesday, January 25th @ Wildhorse Saloon!

Tags: atlanta, Board game, Games, Mental health, Scrabble, Snow Day, Word Wars, Words and Trivia
Posted in Tangents | No Comments »

End Game: Tough Choices

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

: Image via Wikipedia

Those of you who are my fans on Facebook know I enjoy playing chess. When I was a kid my dad schooled me in two games: chess and poker. I believe his goal was teaching me to choose wisely – to plan ahead and weigh the consequences of my actions regardless how small or insignificant they may seem in the present moment.
Chess – like Life – gets tougher as you progress and in a sneaky fashion; that rogue pawn seems harmless until you realize it blocks your only escape route.
In the beginning there are many choices that appear fairly simple; yes/no scenarios such as whether or not to eat, brush teeth, tie shoes, etc. As we grow older we begin to see consequences: weight, cavities, tripping We also make room for bigger decisions: “College? Grad school? Marriage?” We size-up our options and plan our future. We have slightly fewer choices – less pieces on the board – and begin to feel the weight of our opponent’s offense. The impending doom of each mistep can be stifling and so we begin to customize a support system of family and friends, but what happens in the End when we have less to lean on?
Ever since I was a boy, I always struggled with my End Game. I used to find this odd because there are [usually] significantly less chess pieces on the board at the End. Closing the deal is supposed to be the easy part, right? Wrong.
The key to a strong End Game is perspective. It isn’t about the fewer number of pieces onboard, but the greater number of possibilities. Being able to see the space … working dozens of moves ahead to find the safest outcome, avoiding the most hazards …
The more space we have in our lives, the more freedom we have to control our own destiny, the more responsibility each choice carries. When we enter the grown-up world of mortages and marriage, do we invest all our dollars in stocks and bonds, or spend some on entertainment and wardrobe? Don’t have coupons? Suddenly the brands of foods and drinks you cherished as a kid no longer appeal, especially if they’re not on sale. But financial planning is only the tip of the iceberg. The End Game layout is set up during earlier stages of play, which are somewhat unpredictable due to the humanity of our opponent. In fact, we may not even know we’re playing the End Game until they cry “checkmate!”
Such is Life! Nobody can predict the future or plan for the curve balls. So do we play defensively and go for a safe bet? Or do we raise the stakes and follow our dreams? Maybe a little of both? What if Life decides to re-raise, trade queens, and employ a secret weapon? When, if ever, do we recourse and initiate the proverbial “backup plan?” The more “tied down” we become in our responsible adult lives, the less uncertainty we feel but it’s only an illusion. Every choice we make plays a role in our End Game. Winning in Life may involve giving up some seemingly important pieces, but if you’re willing to take that risk, the payoff can be really sweet.

Why chess is a perfect game for fiction (guardian.co.uk)

Tags: Board Games, chess, Chess piece, choices, end, facebook, game, Games, life, metaphor, Pawn, Recreation, tough, Video game
Posted in Tangents, Tour Diary | 5 Comments »

On break reflecting

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

: Image via Wikipedia

The scene: Harrah’s CMT Crossroads backstage. Finished set 1, on break. As I sit here resting, the subwoofers pulsating through the entire building as Daniel (soundman/DJ) energizes the dance floor, I can’t help but pat myself on the back. I’m playing better than A-game. I’m on a whole new level of A-game, partly thanks to the professionalism of Five Star Iris. I’ve always run a tight ship within myself but these guys inspire me to excell beyond. Also fueling this revival is “Year Of The Ox,” which will drop in 2010. Writing has gotten my creative juices flowing.
Hopefully you (readers) will JOIN US and experience this in the near future! 5si plays Smiths Olde Bar on February 12. MARK YOUR CALENDARS.
~Nick