Just need someone to play with?

It's great learning about new, fun games. Each is yet another invitation to play. But then, sooner or later, you run against the inevitable truth that no matter how good the game is, it's a lot more wonderful when you can find someone to play it with. That's why I find myself writing you today about Meetup and its virtual cornucopia of games groups.

There are groups devoted to playing Bunco and Boggle, Charades and Crosswords, Pinball and Pokemon. Thousands of groups, all around the country. And if you can't find the group you're looking for, you can make your own. For free. For fun.

Living in the LA area, I've been able to take advantage of a similar service, called the "LA People Connection." The success of my Major Fun Games Tastings is due largely to the active, fun-seeking audience of this rather remarkable, and constantly growing community, listing over 3,000 events since its founding in 1999. As it gets used more and more, it becomes a deepening resource for a remarkable variety of events, connecting you to a similarly remarkable variety of people. Again, it's free (though donations are sorely needed and deeply welcome and even earn you a gold star), and for fun. And soon, it'll be national!

(I just learned that the new, national version of LA People Connection is now online, and has officially become My People Connection. Go, then, my people, and connect!)