About a week and a half ago I went to the library to get some DVD’s. I don’t normally go to the library, usually I buy books or read ones my sister has bought. Plus my parents have a room they call the library, cuz the walls are lined with built-in book shelves spilling over with books, most of which I have yet to read. Someone in my family has read every single one of them though. So the last time I’d even gone to the public library was maybe 4 months before when I woke up one morning and suddenly realised I’ve never read Proust. I checked out one of his books and read the first chapter, got busy with work and returned it.
So this time I decided to get some educational DVD’s that I could watch (kinda) while folding laundry and packing for my trip to Cuba. A funny thing happened when I was there though. The library has clubs, something I didn’t know until the libary lady showed me! Book Clubs, different kinds of book clubs, a scrabble club (yes, really) and…a CHESS CLUB! If you’re thinking chess club is lame, let me assure you of your lapse in judgement. Video Games are indeed lame. Chess RULES. People who play are smart. I’ve watched searching for Bobby Fischer, I know this. Plus, I absolutely suck at it. I used to play with my ex husband when I was feeling very patient. On our trip to Greece he bought himself some fancy marble chess pieces and we’d play at night instead of dancing. Yes, I wish we’d been dancing. But still, chess is cool. Especially for someone such as myself, who would surprise people by playing well.
And so tonight is my first chess club at the library. I can walk there, although I have some stuff to do tonight so I probably won’t. But I CAN, which is very nice. And I’m sure I’ll make a lot of old people friends, maybe even some crazy library people. It’s a group I’d never know otherwise. This past week in Cuba I saw some groups of people playing chess out in the town squares and parks…and Cubans are awesome and smart, all the more so for their love of chess. I know I’m in for a good time with any nationality of chess folk.
Brianna Carson's Blog 