Plot Monkeys

NOTE - I am on my way home from Florida … I probably won’t check in until late, so HAPPY NEW YEAR’S EVE, everyone! I’m going to have dinner with family and friends back in New York and probably be asleep by midnight! Just wanted to update you all … and now for the blog:
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My neighbors/friends have taken up Mahjong. I’ve never played. I never wanted to learn. For one thing, when would I have the time? For another, if I had time, shouldn’t I be writing? So they learned, they play on some afternoons and evenings, and I am not a part of the group. This doesn’t bother me. I’m more a do my own thing kind of person anyway. Then there was someone’s birthday luncheon, and there were seating cards, and I wasn’t at the table with my usual group of friends, because I wasn’t one of the Mahjong group. That was okay too. I caught up with people I haven’t seen in awhile and I had a lot of fun.

My mom, who like me, is also a do her own thing kind of person, has become a Mahjong fanatic. She plays in Florida with two different groups of women, and it has left me scratching my head. If my mother, who is more like me, has joined the group, what’s wrong with me that I don’t want to? She assured me that she hasn’t changed, she just enjoys the game. OK, I thought. she enjoys the game, I enjoy writing.

Then, I started to worry, what happens when I get older and everyone has a Majhong group and I don’t? Yes, this is a stupid thing to worry about, but I’m Jewish. I worry. (oy vey!) But still, I didn’t want to learn.

But a funny thing happened on vacation in Florida. My mom had already taught my eleven year old daughter. My sixteen year old wanted to learn. Mom set up the bridge table and four chairs and they pulled me over to learn. I’m here to tell you, folks, IT WAS UGLY. I am NOT a quick study. I can’t visualize well. The Mahjong card stumps me. Why do Flowers have numbers when you don’t call out numbers? That’s just STUPID. And if it’s a Chinese game, why do they have something called Charleston?

And yet … I don’t remember the last time I laughed so hard. The four of us had an absolute blast. We left the table set up and played when we could. But I still can’t imagine giving up writing time for Mahjong. But maybe if anyone needs someone to fill in and they don’t expect too much brain power from me, I can substitute sometime. Maybe.

What about you? Have you ever played? Wanted to? Are you a group person? Or more of an individual solitary person like me? Do you think it’s an old person’s game? Because I’ve changed my mind …
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FYI I AM HOME FROM VACATION. I AM FINISHED WITH MY MANUSCRIPT! HURRAY! NEARLY KILLED ME, but I am sooooooooo happy! HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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