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I had a new gaming experience this past month: I started playing in the back room of a game shop.
That's right, our alternating Saturday game finally got kicked out of the home of the family that was hosting it. I'm partially to mostly if not entirely to blame, and I have to say that my only regret may be that I didn't do it sooner. Quite honestly, when you're afraid of interacting with someone because you never know when a polite request for a change of behavior will set off a screaming tirade, it's time to find a new place to game.
Perhaps amusingly, what started this whole thing was that the idea was brought up, by the GM of the game (who is also part of the family who hosts) that maybe we should move the game. In the course of asking questions about the proposed new location, I inadvertently said something that annoyed a couple of people who lived in that house (but not the GM) which led to a fight which resulted in it being decided that we were not allowed to play there. Ever again.
Well, thank God (or the Flying Spaghetti Monster, if you prefer) that playing in the game store ended up working out, otherwise we'd be high and dry. When half of your group still lives with their family, and the other half lives in cheap apartments, and your group has 10 people on a slow night, it's hard to find a place to play.
The game store definitely has its flaws, but counting very highly in its favor is the fact that they actually want us there and make us feel welcome. The first time we played they kept asking if there was anything we needed, and one lady even asked if we wanted to go in on her pizza order (in addition to coming over and introducing herself to me especially, because she was happy to see another girl gamer). We were even told that we could yell at the LAN party in the same room if they got too loud.
Wow, what a strange experience. Actually being welcome and feeling comfortable in the place you game in!
Sorry if I sound bitter and sarcastic, but it gets to a point where there's only so much crap you can take, and I reached that point a long time ago. It's a relief to no longer be exposed to a person who so clearly despises if not you, people who you consider friends. It's also a relief to know that if someone starts yelling at me, hey, I can tell them to shut up, because I'm not in their house.
Anyway, I do wish that this game store had a better selection of gaming books and dice (they seem to mostly be like a Warhammer and Magic store), but I did manage to finally find a nice mini to represent my D&D character, and we'll probably be picking up the new L5R book there next time we're in. They even have a couple of old EarthDawn books there, which makes them instantly cool. Too bad they're EarthDawn books that I already have!
I do have to admit that I previously considered playing in the back of a gaming store to be the refuge of people too lame to play anywhere else. Well, I guess it's also the refuge of those too opinionated to remain at their original gaming location. And while the kids who rent the computers may be a little silly and immature, at least they're friendly and harmless. Sometimes they even play good anime music.
So, this month was a learning experience for me. First I learned that there's no reasoning with some people, and that no matter how politely you phrase something they disagree with, they're still gonna get mad at you. But I also learned that I shouldn't judge an experience until I've had it myself. And I also also learned that it's hard to find a female miniature that isn't wearing a chainmail bikini and wielding a sword.
Tune in next month when I don't know what I'll have to say, because I'll be out of town for 3 out of the 5 scheduled gaming sessions for October! GAH!
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