I have never been a gamer. All these years, my children, specifically my sons, have tried to get me interested in playing 'video' games. It started with my older son. He wanted me to try everything he played, like Runescape and World of Warcraft and others. My daughter tried to get me hooked on every version of Sims. Then my younger son tried once again with ZooTycoon and, later, Rockband and GuitarHero.
All to no avail. I couldn't see the point. Why sit and play a game for hours while my to-do-list became more delayed and eventually longer? In the end, the effect would be pandemonium in my life and the life of my home and family.
Sure. I would politely try. After all, I didn't want my children to learn negative patterns from me. The burden was on me to teach them not to be quitters, poor sports, or, worse yet, somehow learn from me not to engage at all. But it would end there. I would go politely on my way and let them play their games, happy for the silence.
I realized that part of my fear of learning to play the games didn't stem so much from the fear of wasted time, but the fear of all the buttons on the game controllers. As the games evolved, the settings and options increased and became confusing to remember and manipulate.
Not too far fetched if one considers that my first 'video' game was Pong. It consisted of two long vertical dashes down each side of a very small television screen. In the middle of the screen was a horizontal dash. Many of you reading my blog may recall it. Pong led to PacMan. PacMan was originally designed in the same linear fashion; all of which occurred before the advent of our current age of outstanding video graphics.
Video games have continued to evolve to those one can play on a phone. I have tried to stay away from them, for some of the same reasons I stayed away from my children's games many years ago. Time consuming and confusing.When I got my Android, though, my younger son showed me how to go to the Marketplace and download free apps. The first game I found was Solitaire, obviously. He then tried to talk me into a game called Angry Birds. My daughter concurred and showed it to me. But it was too confusing, too fast moving.
Recently, a friend turned me on to Words With Friends. Now I am hooked. Addicted. Constantly drawn. Multiple games going on; two with the same person (not suprisingly the same friend who introduced me to it!). I find myself continuously checking back for updates, or just to review the board to see what moves could possibly be made on my next turn.
It wasn't until today that I realized just how obsessed I am. I was in the doctor's office, waiting for the doctor. Somehow, between turns, I forgot to pay attention to what the nurse said as she walked out the door, so engrossed was I in figuring out my next 30-point word. Before I knew it, the doctor walked in, only to find me engrossed in my phone and not having changed into the robe. OOPS! But, I didn't stop there. As I left the exam room to go get my blood drawn, and continued through the rest of my appointment, I realized I wasn't all there. I was missing directions and even left my receipt at the nurse's station. The receptionist had to call me while I was driving home.
This game has invaded my empty time: the times when I am sitting at a light, or waiting in a doctor's office, or in a line, or just watching TV. The many small free moments in my day when I review my to-do list in my head and mentally check things off or plan for tomorrow. All of the time I normally just spend letting my thoughts and feelings ramble, as I am wont to do, have quickly been consumed by the pursuit of the next big word and the next win.
I am slowly figuring out how to play the game in the most effective manner, and earn more points. But, what remains elusive is corraling how much of my rambling thought time is consumed in the process.
The constant playing of Word With Friends has not done much for my record. Right now 1 win, 6 losses. Not great for an SAT instructor and technical writer. So, out of pride alone I will keep playing until I start winning....more.
So, download the app, find me, and invite me to a game. My user is kimb111.
See you in the game!
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