Adam Nelson is a “game designer and systems thinker” who started a nonprofit called City of Play with the specific purpose of “making people happier and cities more fun.”
The group organizes games — from barroom games to backyard games to city-sized games — unearths old or obscure games and designs games for businesses and communities. There's an annual festival of games, Come Out & Play, in Oakland's Schenley Plaza. The group also has a Pub Games event at Hambone's in Lawrenceville every Wednesday night and Rec Room: Winter Games at Spirit Lodge in Lawrenceville every two weeks — the next one is Feb. 21.
Members will be teaching and playing Circle Rules Football — a team sport combining basketball, soccer and volleyball — on March 6. (The location has not yet been announced.)
Details: cityofplay.org
The star who would play me in the movie version of my life:
I've been told I look like Christian Bale, but I think my personality matches better with Ewan McGregor.
The piece of memorabilia from my childhood I wish I still had:
My dad's baseball glove
The superpower I wish I had in real life:
Flight — it's a dream I've had since I was a kid.
Favorite app:
Toggl, a time-tracking app
Favorite season:
Autumn
Favorite ethnic food:
Thai
I spend the most time on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other:
Show I have or want to binge watch:
“Battlestar Galactica”
The dessert that matches my personality:
Apple pie
My favorite TV or movie villain:
This is one of my favorite questions to ask others. Mine is Vandal Savage, an immortal caveman from the DC comics universe.
Movie I could watch every time it appears on cable:
“Rushmore”
The movie that always makes me cry:
“It's a Wonderful Life”
Something I would do over if I could:
College. I wish I'd taken a gap year and worked a bit before going to school — I think I would have gotten a lot more out of it.
Favorite lunchtime spot:
Conflict Kitchen in Schenley Plaza
My favorite sandwich, plus fixings:
Muffaletta — or a turkey sandwich made with leftover turkey meat and mayo
Pick one: Pirates, Penguins, Steelers or other:
Pirates
Top thing on my bucket list:
Build my own house
I wish I had more time to:
Build things
My favorite thing about Pittsburgh:
Agency
My quirkiest inherited trait:
Singing while washing the dishes
When I was 10, I wanted to be:
A magician
In high school, I was:
Unpopular
If I could go back, I'd tell my teenage self:
Not to worry so much
I'm deathly afraid of:
Being hit in the eye
My most treasured fashion accessory:
Earbuds
The last book I read:
“The Well-Played Game” by Bernie DeKoven
My favorite website:
If I could live my life as someone else, it would be:
Astronaut
The overused phrase I hate most:
“Awesome”
People would be surprised to know that I:
Am actually a bit of an introvert; I need quiet time to myself to recoup after one of City of Play's events.
