"I Love This Game"

I'm reading on the bus, again. I was reading Hardy - 2/1, and then last night I played with Dano. Dan's my favorite partner. I thought about this some today. I get to play with some incredible people. Many of them are so much better than I that I always feel as though it's a special treat when I get to play with them. And it's great fun, but there isn't always the ease that comes with playing with someone who's in step with you. Dan's a stronger player than I, in many ways, maybe chiefly in that he's more consistent. But he's also still learning many of the same things I am. It's hard to explain why that's so nice. It just is. Of course, there are many people learning things, so it's not just that. I play some of my best bridge with Dan. And we have a meeting of the minds, where we can a feel for what might be going on with our CHO. Also, I think our outlook and approach to the game is very similar. I like that we don't do much discussing at the table, and that we review after.

Anyway, before I digressed I was about to say that I have been reading Hardy, with Dan. And I think we've agreed that we are going to read through, then think about where we're going to make changes. Because at this point, we're thinking we'll use everything, and really, I think we'll just end up confused. There's too much candy in the store to try it all in one day. So, we'll read through then decide what to incorporate and reread there. We might read Lawrence before doing that to see what else is out there, before settling on anything.

Well, we played in the 299er last night. We had some bad boards. Dan pointed out (very gently and tactfully) that I made some mistakes that were not things I'd usually do - he forgets how unfocused I can be, and he thinks I might need a brain rest. He finds that sometimes when we try to read and practice and read, practice there’s a dip in performance at the table, and we can use a little time to rest our brains.

So, with Dan's blessing I took a break from Hardy, which is nice because I've been trying to find time to read Sabine Auken's I Love This Game.

I have such hero worship for Sabine. You know, it's easy to explain why you think something, but much harder to explain why you feel something. What is my fascination with great women players? I cannot define it in a way that makes sense. But maybe it's not so unusual, really.

On Sunday, I went to the museum with my family. My father, who is getting older, I suppose, was very fascinated by the fact that there were two paintings by Miro that were done in his seventies and eighties. Maybe we like to see proof that greatness is possible, regardless of our age or gender or whatever. Maybe I just want to be Sabine when I grow up. Of course, it's too late for that, and I'm far more likely to turn out to be Mrs. Guggenheim than Ms. Auken at the table. But I can dream.

I'm surprised at how accessible the book is. I can follow it, I can understand it, and I'm excited by the exciting parts. She's a wonderful writer, and storyteller. If you haven't read this book, you might take a look.