Mourning the Monopoly

jar of money

I abandoned my cherished Safeway Monopoly weeks ago. Asking clerks to endure another exposure to a stranger to hand me tiny blue gambling slips felt petty and selfish. They deserved to reserve their patience and strength for people with genuine check-out problems. Giving up Monopoly – anguishing, and necessary. There’s nothing wrong in seeking out…

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Safeway Monopoly – Easier… or Harder? You Decide.

Once again, the devils designing Safeway Monopoly have demolished my expectations. The board – half the size it was last year. MAKES ME WANNA SHOUT.  No more draping it ooooo sooooo lovingly over the back of the coach, forlornly hoping to ward off vindictive creases and tears. Players are even more precipitately pushed careening over…

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Safeway Monopoly – Fighting Spirit

Monopoly pieces

Safeway Monopoly is back one week from today. This year, I’m ready. My calendar is marked, my strategy honed. But there’s been something missing, and I finally know what it is. My lucky tradition. Athletes wear their lucky shorts and socks. Actors tell each other to “Break a leg” before treading the boards. I believe…

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Safeway Monopoly – LEVEL UP!!

I write this on Wednesday 2/20/2019. Safeway Monopoly started Wednesday 2/6/2019. So, two weeks in, I feel emboldened to discuss the whack-your-head-with-the-iron differences in the game this year.   You’ve still gotta buy stuff and win paper sets. One side is still all the little slips that will litter your house for months. The slips still yield…

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Safeway Monopoly – Surprise!

Safeway Monopoly started Wednesday 2/6/2019. Which I discovered 2/5/2019. NOOOOOOOOO. I thought it started next month. I haven’t had Spring Training: no run through all the aisles to remind myself what’s where; no eating down the staples. No making room for the frozen pizza. I wasted a purchase when I bought the chocolate on 2/5…

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Gaming Monopoly, Safeway Style

Monopoly pieces

I play the Market Street, Tom Thumb, Albertsons, Safeway, Shaws, Jewel-Osco, Vons, Amigos, United Supermarkets, Carrs, Star Market, Pavilions, Acme (MEEP MEEP), Randalls Monopoly Sweepstakes to WIN. It’s the only competitive sport I play. So, my rules:   (1) Never, ever switch stores. Me, I play Safeway. I know what I’ll be able to find,…

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