Santa knows best after all these years.

Weeks after Christmas I am still stoked about about a toy Santa gave me.
In fact I don't remember having been this excited about a gift since I got the Beatle's Red Album-- a 2 record compilation that was actually red!
That was the 5th grade and Michael Jackson had not yet released Off the Wall, and I had not yet heard of the Police, the Clash, Prince, U2 or any of the other bands I would play too loudly in my room ad nauseum.  I suppose a Beatle's record was the perfect gift a parent could give at that age... it kept me out of the way and they knew where I was and the music was pleasant.  This year's gift was also perfect.

This year it was a French Chess set with legs and drawers that hold the heavy wooden pieces.  I can only describe it as SEXY.

Each move feels so decisive as the hardwood knight clip-clops down or the deeply carved rook or bishop slides with gravitas across the wooden veneer.

It sits just over a foot high-- perfect view when played from the floor with a pillow, preferred beverage and tasty morsels within reach.  Family time is good time.

I've played some amazing white knuckled games cleaning house versus my Dad and pal Chris.  (To be fair Chris wooped my hyde the first game and there was a stalemate with Dad).

I so prefer the classic quiet games to the frenetic and strobed computer games available now.  Chess on the floor by the fire having selected sublime background music, pausing for conversation and stories if not strategy is so nice.  In contrast the action film Avatar which I enjoyed despite a 3D induced headache has a matching video game.  I can only imagine the migrainic and seizure inducing effects of the technicolor gun battles in flight and through forrest.  Chess can't be beat in my book.

Except by Backgammon and as it turns out the chess board flips over to reveal my other favorite classic game.  Looking forward to dominating over good music, conversation and food when friends come over to play.

What a good boy I must have been.