Zee Germans beat me at my own game!

About a year ago when my boyfriend started working in social video gaming I came up with a really great game idea: A homeless game (it didn't have to be for social sites). The bf was intrigued and wanted to learn more.

Over a romantic dinner we talked all about the details: As the gamer, you are a bum living on the street. Your goal is to stay alive, but you'll have a hard time reaching any success. You can do things like try to avoid drugs, or score drugs, find and keep a dog companion, make sure your possessions don't get stolen while you sleep, find and keep sleeping arrangements, figure out how to make money, etc. you get the picture. I provided the ideas and he relayed how it can be practical in relation to game theory. In the end this was a strategy-driven game and a social-commentary on how the other half live.

Well, turns out that the pessimists are right: no one has a unique thought.

To my dismay, a new hobo game has been released by some German company. It's a social role-playing game called "Street Rivals" where you're a bum and you can fight other bums, recycle bottles, and go dumpster diving.

Ugh. I'm so BUMMED! I wish the bf and I produced my game first! Well, maybe there's a chance since the two aren't exactly alike but have similar premises? What do you think?

I think on vacation

You know how you go on vacation and you typically sight-see, party, chill whatever...
You know what I do? I go to networking events and talk to local politicians, that's what I do, sukka!

But it's a better story than that:

My longtime friend from college, who now lives in the UK, is in charge of finding the funds for this one rich socialite power lesbian's new political campaign in London called, "The Commons." The politician is a highly motivated 25-year-old who has no idea what she's really doing, but she has the courage, verve, and optimism to do it anyway. You know the kind? ugh.

I spent that afternoon visiting my friend, doing the typical vacation things (drinking, eating, catching up on life stories) and before too long she has to head to a networking event for work and I decide to join her. She sneaks me in, and I make my way around the cocktail hour telling people that I can't do anything to bolster their careers because I'm an American on holiday. It seemed to break the ice on small talk at least.

After chit-chat, we made our way into the adjacent auditorium where there is a panel of speakers. The topic is how internet's social networking sites (i.e. Twitter, Facebook) are being used in their elections. One panel speaker is an American from the Obama campaign, the rest are Brits, two of whom are MPs (The equivalent of our US Senators, but much more outlandishly rude in the House of Commons).

While the panel is talking about things like "Social sites hold public figures more accountable because the public is watching and tweeting about them" there is this giant back screen displaying a live tweet feed happening and NO ONE is paying attention to the speakers. The audience is posting insults about everything on the feed! it was really distracting and rude but really, kinda funny and entertaining because the Brits are major trash-talkers.

This one speaker, Tom Watson, was the first MP to blog and he loves playing games on facebook and says some rad stuff like this is actually the first TV campaign for Britain! Literally, they never had tv debates before!!! it's insane~ ok, while he's talking I get a BRILLIANT idea:

1. My friend is fundraising for her politician
2. Tom mentions he plays videogames on facebook
3. My boyfriend's social gaming company makes money on microtransactions from facebook videogames

So all of that lead me to think why don't these politicians fund raise via microtransactions from their supporters on social networking sites? BRILLIANT!!!

I want to ask Tom this, but I freak out in public speaking. So I'm sitting there pressuring my friend to ask my question since that's her job...she won't.

So I wait until the presentation ends to go up to Tom Watson and I ask him my question/tell him my brilliant idea he lights up! He said no one does that and that's a great idea and I should use it.

So I said I would love to and told him to give me a job.

No, I just said that I don't work in politics, but I'm proud to meet a politician who gives me and validates my good ideas. In the end, we both are obviously stupidly happy with this epiphany, he shakes my hand, and I leave thinking he'll use this on his campaign and satisfied with what I accomplish on my vacation.