Jason Griffey

Returned from the Big Apple on Monday, and immediately entrenched myself in work. The trip to NY was really interesting…I’m not quite sure what to think about it. First time there, and it was a bit overwhelming. I’ve been to many big cities…LA, New Orleans, Chicago, Washington DC…but this was my first big northeast city. I caught myself trying to imagine what it would be like to grow up there, to raise children there, what kinds of influence the surroundings would have.

Having spent 18 years of my life in a town with a population of 2000, it was really odd. At the same time, it was exciting and vibrant…I can totally see why people who leave a city like that go into withdrawl. It was easy to believe that I could literally leave the hotel at any time and get anything I wanted. Really need to buy a DVD at 4am? No problem. Need a new pair of shoes at 3am? Can do. That sort of availability has to tweak your expectations a bit.

This was even more interesting given that Bets and I are moving back to rural america, more or less, by going to Sewanee. I can’t ever, ever, ever see myself living in a big city, but I think I have a better idea why people might want that now. NY had a vibe unlike that of any other city I’ve visited.

Well, New York has certainly been interesting. I’m in the Hotel New Yorker, in Chelsea. Within pretty easy walking distance of a LOT of downtown, including Times Square, and right across from Madison Square Garden. Very cool to see a lot of the stuff that I’ve only thus far seen on TV. The flight in was honestly the best, landing in La Guardia, and seeing the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building and such. Very, very cool.

However, Times Square gives me Blader Runner flashbacks. I keep expecting a blimp overhead spouting “…can be yours in the outer colonies…”

Here’s a quick look at what I’m doing today: going mano a mano with Ian Taylor in New York. For giggles, here’s a look at two versions of my superstar card for the game Raw Deal:

On an amusing note (to some) I’ll be in New York this weekend, attending the world championships for Raw Deal, the game that I playtest, run, and play. Ian Taylor and I have a bit of a score to settle, and I’ll be playing in all the random events throughout the day. Should be much fun, and is my “spring break.”

After this, back to the grind…must get paper done….