So my friend Ellen has been asking me to come and join her and her friends at the regular Friday night games-night for a while now and last night I finally went. The best thing about the place was a complete welcoming atmosphere and interest in playing with anyone and everyone regardless of backgrounds or looks or social issues. Everyone was different and everyone was the same. Very cool.

I was too anti-social myself to join in a game without Ellen, even though I was approached rather amazingly and beautifully by several strangers to either join in a game or start up a new one. It's striking how different settings can be when everyone is wanted and cherished even if they don't know you. So I played with Ellen and several strangers a game called "Loaded Questions" which was sorta a mix of the "Matchgame" and sharing personal stories. By the end of the game we strangers, and a completely odd mix of people, had gotten to know each other pretty well and had a fun time.

People can surprise you, especially if you take the time to go beyond first impressions. I think that's something the Gay community and the American culture in general tend to forget. And, for me personally, it's good to be social once in a while. I may just go again.