The 110 rules of Uno

What do you get when you put seven adults around the table with the game UNO? Why of course! Seven (deeply rooted) childhood traditions of rules and regulations that all collide at the same time.

Although it created for a few moments of confused tension, it was extremely fascinating to me how there are truly SO many ways to play UNO. The most intriguing part of it all was how dibilitating it was when none of us were on the same page. We all had a different way of going about each step, and held on to it like it was the very fabric of the UNO game.

1. When you don't have a card, do you pick up just one or keep picking?
2. When you don't say UNO when you have one left, do you pick up two cards or the whole discarded deck?
3. When someone lays a card against you (draw-2 or draw-4) can you stack it with the same card?
4. After an action card is played against you, do you still get to play a card?
5. If you have two of the exact same card, can you play them at the same time?
6. Can you lay a card out of turn if it is identical to one that was played?

These were just a few of the questions that humorously roadblocked our efforts in playing a simple game. With so many perspectives colliding at the same time, it was nearly impossible to continue playing without a pause in the game to clarify how something is played. The irony of it all is that when someone actually looked at the directions, NONE of us followed them! Every single "rule" that was mentioned during the game was created down the line one way or another. So very intriguing. I almost think that the simpler the game, the more people put a twist on it with other add-ons and rules. But hey, why not make a game more interesting?

The Best of Both Worlds

Last night was the infamous Chinese New Year celebration. All of China comes together with their celebratory firearmor and simutaneously lights them one after another. The result you might wonder? Let's get this mental picture: You're seeing and hearing the finale to the 4th of July firework performance and everyone is clapping and cheering. Yet after 10 minutes of exhuberant applause, everyone looks at each other realizing the same thing "Let's save our voices and energy, this is not stopping anytime soon".

This is my second year of marveling at the firework display. The awe factor of the "never-endingness" of the celebration was a bit less dramatic, yet my experience was given a new perspective. Since the tradition of staying at the hotel was still alive and well, we were able to get the best of both worlds. We could watch from the 10th floor witnessing the fireworks literally at point of explosion while getting a more "ear-protecting" muffled sound. Or we could run out onto the street in an adrenaline rush filled with "on the scene" energy and excitement. I felt like a little kid running from one activity to the next "Now let's do this! And now that!". Even when you give adults a variety of stimulating activities, we all react the same....unless we are so tired from trying to stay awake until midnight that the only energy left is "Wow......cool."

I was able to actually capture a few pictures of the fireworks that were hitting our window that night. While you may think to yourself that it is just a picture with the flash glaring off from the window, it is actually the middle of the firework exploding inches from our faces. Enjoy!

I took quite a few videos from the night, but the internet is being stubborn and won't upload them. Once I figure that out, I will share with you all!