Eucatastrophe
Here’s your SAT word for the day: eucatastrophe. J.R.R. Tolkein coined the word in the 1940s to describe a sudden, dramatic turn of events that changes everything, but is wildly positive. Use it in an email today!
A lot of our lived experience—personal or cultural—can feel catastrophic. Things fall apart, they say, and the harm and grief are real and worthy of acknowledgement. But they’re also not the only thing.
For the most part, I don’t mind losing a game, as long as it feels like I’ve got options. I have noticed recently that there are certain scenarios in games—most recently in learning the 1962 classic Twixt—where I feel helpless, which leads to feeling truly sad and frustrated. But then there are moments when things seem ridiculously bad and suddenly, gloriously, things turn around and I’ve won! Or we’ve won, if it’s a coop game—the sudden, collective sigh of relief in a game of Pandemic or Magic Maze when you’ve survived and won is a physical joy!
I thought I’d leave you with this speech from Samwise Gamgee to Frodo Baggins in the movie of Tolkein’s book The Two Towers. It feels appropriate for our gaming lives and our real lives, both:
Sam: It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy. How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happened. But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. Because they were holding on to something.
Frodo: What are we holding on to, Sam?
Sam: That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.
Alice C, board game librarian
Play DaDaDa!
In DaDaDa, players cooperate to make meaning of nonsense syllables (the black cards above) by putting image cards (the white cards) near them in categories, and using only those nonsense syllables to communicate. Once the initial 13 cards are agreed upon, one player reveals six more image cards, and speaks in the group’s new, minimal language to get the others to guess one particular card.
It’s a cooperative game of communication and being in sync, less about a correct answer and more about understanding each other better and asking good questions. The rulebook says, “In DaDaDa, all languages are beautiful.” This interpersonal connection can translate from games to our lives, but this game isn’t just Meaningful And Earnest, it’s wildly silly—as I write this, the table playing it behind me is laughing uproariously!
Alice C, board game librarian
Try our new Brisket Nachos!
They start with our fresh tortilla chips, then loaded with hot queso and our slow-roasted brisket, plus lettuce, tomatoes, onions and BBQ sauce, and served with relish on the side. It’s a pile of deliciousness to share with friends or fill your own belly with.
A good distraction to help you in a game of DaDaDa next time you come in!
Design for anniversary shirt you’ll be able to purchase and tie-die at the celebration!
Happy Anniversary to Us!
Free Parking is celebrating one year around the board and we’d love for you to be a part of it!
Mark your calendars for September 12, 13, and 14, and join us for a weekend of raffles, tie dye, and a celebratory toast on Saturday night.
This is our way of saying thank you to everyone who’s been a part of the Free Parking journey so far. It’s a celebration of all the fun we’ve had and all the good time still to come.
More details coming soon, so stay tuned!
Click the images below for more on this week’s fun!
(No RSVP needed for Community Game Night!)
Did you know?
We have a menu especially for kids and a whole shelf of games curated for them? It’s true! Bring the family between naps (or anytime!) for tasty foods and easy entertainment. Games are educational, even the silly ones, so really, you’re ahead of the game!
Introducing: Green Flags!
It’s like community game night anytime you come in! Ask your librarian or server for a green flag for the table—it means you’re open to having folks you don’t know sit with you to play games and maybe become brand-new friends. And if you see a green flag on someone’s table, you can absolutely ask to be seated with them! Give it a try next time you’re in—play new games, make new friends, enjoy great vittles.
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, our library listings here, and our social media here!