When I saw the first few words of Kanye’s latest blog entry on WeSmirch (a gossip news aggregate where I get a lot of stories) I thought he was talking about a video game. He said “When I was in Europe I would play this game for hours and hours… it helped me zone out.” It sounds like he’s talking about World of Warcraft, but he’s lauding how relaxing and mind-numbing it is to play the classic board game Connect Four, in which you take turns with another player dropping colored discs into a grid until one of you gets four in a row.

West blogged for the first time since the tragic death of his mother, Dr. Donda West, after plastic surgery in early November. He titled the entry “Thank you all for your support,” but didn’t mention the tough time he went through or his mother’s passing. He just talked about how he loves to play Connect Four. He also included these pictures playing with Beyonce, and said she kicked his ass in the game nine times in a row. He did beat her once though.

Ironically, Kanye and Beyonce were at the opening of Jay-Z’s 4040 club and casino in Las Vegas. There were plenty of high stakes games, gourmet food and expensive drinks these two millionaires could have enjoyed that night, but instead they were involved in a marathon Connect Four game outside of the action.

When I was in Europe I would play this game for hours and hours… it helped me zone out. Everybody would get envolved… Derrick Dudley (Common’s manager) and Consequence were the best other than me… I beat Lexi… Don C beat Jay… Tony Williams beat Common… but every now and then people would speak of this legendary connect 4 champion……….. BEYONCE!!! I had 2 play her!…so last night at Jay’s new 40/40 club in Las Vegas (which is sidebar, crazy big w/ 24krt gold flooring, Black Jack tables, $500 slot machines,the biggest projection screen in the universe and the best turkey burgers I’ve ever had in my life) she beat me 9 times in a row! (and I didn’t even spaz lol) here’s a photo of the only game I won!

[From Kanye West’s Blog]

Kanye has also performed since his mother passed, openly breaking down on stage when singing “Hey Momma,” but hasn’t said anything about it publicly except to issue a statement asking for privacy. He seems to be moving on with his life and enjoying the simple things again. Welcome back Kanye. Oh and Wikipedia says that you can win Connect Four if you place your first chip in the middle column, but it seems more complicated than that.

There’s a rumor that Kanye, 30, plans to marry his fiance Alexis Phifer, 31, after the holidays.

Update: Here’s the Connect Four commercial from the 80s. I remember this so well! (Yes, I’m old.) Thanks so much to commentor Max for mentioning it: