Boardgames

You like using dice, cardboard, wood cubes and plastic bits to pummel your friends, smash their plans and stomp their self-esteem into dust.

Boardgames are full-ahead awesome. This may come as news to many of you, particularly those who only shop at department stores. How excited can you get about a Winnie the Pooh version of Sorry? No, I'm talking about a new generation of games--games that are fast-paced, strategic and fun (www.boardgamegeek.com lists all of them).

Now, I'm not going to pretend these boardgames are an easy sell to Grandma Gertie and the retard twins. People with the attention spans of guppies and the imaginations of bricks will have a tough time believing something called Puerto Rico is worth learning to play (lame name, granted, but terrific game). Some games are an easier entry point than others. Newcomers to the hobby might check out these titles: Carcassonne, Ticket to Ride or Settlers of Catan (personally don't like that last one, but most beginners do). Tougher--but more interesting--entry points would be Puerto Rico, Agricola or Dominion.

If none of these games win over your friends or family, your friends and family are stupid.