My group at work was treated to an afternoon at Dave & Buster’s today. We got a fajita buffet and two hours with a pool table, though most people spent the time eating. After sufficiently stuffing myself, I played a couple games of pool and came out 1 for 2. I won the first game by default and lost the second ‘cause I played horribly. The food was good and I enjoyed hanging out with my co-workers in a non-work environment. It’s always good to know the people you work with think about more than work and like to drink beer and hang out and be goofy.

Being goofy seems to be a prerequisite for working in software. I find that my co-workers are advanced versions of me. Smarter, funnier, goofier (if it’s possible), and more experienced.

We had the area reserved from three to five in the afternoon. Everyone but myself, two contactors from India and Nepal, and my project manager left at five. We played shuffleboard for an hour and head a great time. I’ve played shuffleboard before but never knew the rules and never knew what the hell I was doing. This time, my project manager showed us how to play and it instantly became competitive. Concentration focused, voices raised, beers emptied.

I soon developed a deep appreciation for the game of shuffleboard. It takes a very light touch. It’s as challenging a game as you can have indoors. And best of all, it only gets better with alcohol.

Next time you have the opportunity to engage in a game of shuffleboard, I highly recommend you give it a shot. It’s like darts, only a lot safer.