Thank you, spreadsheet.
A friend of mine likes to hassle me about my use of spreadsheets to track various things, particularly as they relate to gaming. I, however, argue that gaming as an adult is a complex situation that necessitates thorough, exacting, and long-term planning for success. I can’t throw something together and then ask if anyone wants to play next week. The answer will almost always be no because people are busy.
One time, we even got into a discussion that gave rise to this poem:
In columns and rows, I chart my days,
With dates and times in neat displays.
Each session planned, each game in line,
A spreadsheet keeps my world in time.From Black Hack quests to Rōnin nights,
I list the games that spark delight.
With players counted, schedules set,
No clash or chaos do I let.With every cell, my plans unfold,
Adventures waiting to be told.
A careful guide through quests unknown,
In spreadsheets, I have clearly shown.So praise the grid that keeps me straight,
My gaming life, it orchestrates.
For every story yet to start,
A well-kept sheet’s a work of art.
I have gaming dates scheduled into the first half of next year, and while the specifics will likely change as schedules become clearer, I at least have a better understanding of what I want to play and when I can play it. And that’s what planning is all about: putting a shape to an idea.
So, baby, don’t fear the spreadsheet.