Let me gripe for a moment or two about adult RPG'ers. A lot of the people I used to play with or whom I have met and discussed RPG'ing with complain about not having enough time. "Oh, I'd love to play! But, you know ... there's never enough time!" At first glance, that seems reasonable until you watch the same people spend night-after-night in front of the TV - sometimes 4+ hours at a stretch. There may be valid reasons for not RPG'ing anymore (babysitters, work schedules, disinterested spouses, etc.) but the one most often given (time) seems to be the least valid of all.

The reason this is such a thorn in my ass (besides a dearth of peer RPG'ers) is that one of the constant refrains I am subjected to is: people are so isolated and lonesome, cut off from community and friends; wiling away their time in passive pursuits, longing for some meaningful connection. Boy, what a problem! If only there was some means to get people together ... some way for adults to enjoy each others company in active participation; something that didn't cost too much or involve expensive travel or elaborate equipment; some really good excuse for a few couples &/or singles to get together and enjoy each others company, a little food, and have great stories to tell, afterward.

I wonder where we could find such a beast?

Perhaps two generations ago it was the weekly game of Bridge or Canasta, replete with martini's and fruit ambrosia. Perhaps one generation ago it was political action groups, rally's and concerts. The next generation is sitting around playing poker and betting nickels (we hope it's only nickels!). While this generation (i.e. mine) believes that a nice time with friends involves everyone bringing their own drinks & snacks, and then sitting around watching a movie together in the same room.

A movie? Come on! At least poker engages your brain and polishes some social skills. Even a bunch of old lefties sitting around reminiscing about the marches and movements of their youth are communicating with each other; besides, they actually /did/ something. But watching a movie together is not only completely passive, but just as isolating. There (usually) isn't even a discussion afterward about the movie or what it meant or if people enjoyed it. Movies over, time to go home.

I submit that if more 30-somethings got together and role-played; they'd be less isolated, more sociable, better rested for work, and better rounded people. Parents that spend all day long with the 5-and-under crowd can enjoy adult conversation with their peers. Employees that spend all week thinking about backup recovery plans or spreadsheet balances can climb out of their rut and wield a sword or a wand for a few hours. And for all those adults that pine for the glory days of youth, when they had really great friends and went on adventures together and remember the world as an amazing place full of both wonder, danger, and possibility ... they get to learn how little they've outgrown the amazement of it all.

It's not a matter of having more or less time; it's a matter of having better priorities. Where a youth would skip TV in order to enjoy the company of friends, adults "reward" themselves with TV in luau of making friends. But, while TV shows will be rehashed and rerun ad infinitum - we only get a finite number of days to live and enjoy the people around us.

Having written this, I'm off to a game!

[The average American watches 4+ hours of television, each day! http://www.tvturnoff.org/images/facts&figs/factsheets/FactsFigs.pdf Whereas most RPG'ers spends less then six (6) hours a _week_ planning, preparing, and playing a game.]