I love words. And wordplay. And there are endless possibilities for wordplay in this post.
So pretend I wrote something wordplay-ish and witty. But I’m not going to play that game. I’m going to skip all that and cut to the chase.
I need help.
Not help playing the game.
I need help NOT playing the game.
With no other known addictions, I never thought I had an addictive personality. (Chocolate is NOT an addiction; it’s a lifestyle.)
But I’m hooked. It is all my son’s fault started as a game that turned into a habit that is verging on obsession. Even typing these words I’m thinking, how many points for “verging” played on a triple word space.
My closest friends have better things do with their time don’t even know about my little secret; I haven’t publicly looked for opponents on Facebook or Twitter. Mostly I play with my son and HIS friends…who have a built-in advantage at the rate I’m losing brain cells.
So what’s the problem with a friendly game among friends?
It seemed harmless. Even better than harmless. I figured it was my best defense against getting Alzheimer’s.
The problem is that it’s available anytime, anywhere.
I do it first thing in the morning; and last thing at night. I do it on the toilet and on the sly in restaurants when my husband is reading the menu.
The other day I was in a store, playing a word while waiting for my sale to be rung up. Hearing the telltale ping, the salesgirl gives me a pointed pitying look: “Words with friends?”
And she didn’t even offer to play.
But it got worse. When my partners didn’t give me enough action, I stooped lower.
I started asking to be matched up with Random Opponents.
Random people, people.
You’d be surprised to know how many of us are out there cruising in the middle of the night.
That’s seriously desperate.
It’s called Words with Friends, so I figure I need to have a word with my friends, who are supposed to be there for me. All I’m asking is this: get the app on your phone and play with me just one word among friends : intervention.
D/
Assuming that I can get the Words With Friends app on my Blackberry ( and that you ever get so hard up for a game that you would settle for someone who poses so little competition ), then I will happily step into the breach to satisfy your WWF ‘Jones’. What are friends for…right ?
You should know though, that I am just now recovering from ‘Sporcle’ – another insidious gift from Daniel.
Love,
V/
PS Loved your rationalization about chocolate
This post was so timely because my son just showed me the app on his IPhone and we downloaded it on my phone. Now I am totally hooked. So far I just play with him, and I love it. I guess I am not addicted to the point of picking a “random” player, but I would love to play with you. I am “marinmarla” and I’ll play anytime! I was laughing with my son about playing with a random person and that if the person didn’t get back to you with a move for days on end, you would worry that somebody in Iowa had a terrible accident! Anyway, I believe that anything that makes you visualize words and use your mind in different ways can’t be a bad thing. In that spirit, you need to download another word game, Whirly Word, which you play alone, but it is quite challenging. I played it on the ferry yesterday coming back from the SF Marathon to Marin, and didn’t once look outside to see the beautiful sights passing by! That’s probably not good!
cute. loved reading V.’s response. you two are so witty.
I too, am hooked. The thrill of a 72 point play is something no one in my real life can understand. Being able to use a Z in a triple word? Leaves me breathless. And while rationalize by explaining that I’m keeping my brain active and fluid, my kids role their eyes and tell me to put away my phone at dinner.
(elissastein – if you want to play)
Oy. I’m happy to rationalize that words games are a good thing for the brain. I’m going to ignore the part about Whirly word–all I need is ANOTHER addiction–but I won’t ignore your offer to play . Your story about the ferry makes me think of family dinners where everyone is looking down at their phones instead of talking to each other. One of the real hazards of the electronic world. Meanwhile, enough words here. Haven’t even looked at Words with Friends yet today! A small victory. haha
Be careful what you wish for, D! You may get so many requests, your head will be whirling with words. I’ve been playing Facebook Scrabble with Marcella Werblow — do you know her? She’s 90 and taught me everything I know. Now I have about six Words with Friends games going. Sometimes, the obligation of answering makes me a little crazy, but it’s just another cool way to “touch” people you wouldn’t ordinarily.
Do I want to play? You’ve left me breathless at the idea of playing with you instead of random people. Not surprised as a writer you too are hooked. I have to say at least my son understands the thrill of playing a 72 point word. He played one for 150 points one time—luckily not against me.
6 games sounds pretty reasonable to me; I have at least twice that; and I know people who have way more. But you have lots of balls in the air–I don’t know Marcella Werblow but would love to for several reasons; that was my mom’s name and I always like meeting people named Marcella Also anyone who is 90 and playing Facebook Scrabble is a winner in my book.
thanks, Stacy. I always love reading his comments; though sometimes feel kind of odd talking online with my husband. Especially when he’s in the next room. haha
V–
I’m not sure we should go there–considering that competition during nightly Scrabble games almost destroyed our marriage. You would definitely be my stiffest competition.
And I never fell for Sporcle—but maybe it could be a cure for Words with Friends.
Darryle, I haven’t stopped laughing because my kids got me into it too and I do it every morning and every night and every time I can. My username is gpinky…
Gail
Hilarious. And Do you see the theme going here in all the comments? Our KIDS are the ones getting us hooked. If you can’t beat them, join them! About to join you in a game,too! 🙂
Well, my son asked to play with you 🙂 Although he wants you to go easy on him. I did find one way to stop…international roaming charges 🙂 Except now I see we’ll soon be able to play on facebook.
I’m addicted too! 1 have 10 games going and i do it in am and into the night. I’m in Fl and I play with 4 strangers ,who I’ve played with for over a year, they are in CA.
I also play with my nephew and brotherinlaw and his friend, who insists on 3 games. HELP!!
Try this?
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/a6a4ca82d8/words-with-friends-intervention