Usually December is a season of red and green for everyone. But with all the events that have been going on in my life right now, I feel like I'm in a winter rainbow (and it's not even winter yet, we still have 6 more days)! My gaming life has been mostly on hold due to a few facts: A) The holidays, B) My sister's wedding, and C) A ridiculous work load at Mindfly. Boy are we busy, and that's not a bad thing!
I can't think of a Christmas in years past that I haven't been really busy. This is the first one, though, that working a retail job hasn't been my main priority, and I have to admit that it's been delightful to actually be able to enjoy the season even while running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I love the holidays, the warmth of time with my friends and family, and all the lights, laughter, and colors.
Yesterday, before I left my parents' house on the way home from my sister's wedding, I watched Hallmark's modern version of A Christmas Carol. It was a little cheesy, and far too heartwarming for this action movie lover. Still, I sat through the whole thing, which must say something, right? So, to stay in the vein of the Holidays, let's visit a few topics that are at least mildly related to gaming...
Ghosts of the Past
In my first post here, I mentioned the fact that my dad used to have the old Super Mario Bros. 3 guide, how he'd taken all the pages out, put it in a binder and put all the pages in plastic wrap. He responded saying that he still has it, and it turns out that he wasn't lying! I have pictures as proof:
I fondly remember the days when I used to spend all my cold winter afternoons huddled in front of the television far too closely with that book spread open on the floor in front of me, trying to navigate the various koopa-land. We never had very many games for our old Nintendo, so SMB3 was pretty much the pick of the party. My mother was so addicted to tetris that she made us get rid of it because she wouldn't get her work done and would only play it, although she nagged Dad enough about SMB3 that I'm surprised they never got rid of it either.
Unfortunately some 6 years ago or so, the old thing finally died. I've been informed that if I had a Wii (I could always try to beg a borrow from Kyle) then I could probably play it again, but for now I guess I'll just have to settle with the memories. Still, I wonder if I gave Mom a copy of tetris for Christmas if she'd be happy or angry...
Ghosts of the Present
On a form of traditional (or perhaps not so traditional) gaming, I want to speak a little bit about this year and one of my co-workers. Gabe, our newest addition at Mindfly, is deaf. At first I thought that this would be a large challenge to communicate with him (and I wasn't wrong), but I had hopes that with modern technology and an office full of Instant Messengers, that it wouldn't be a problem. I hadn't really thought about learning much ASL but I did dredge up the alphabet from way back when I used to do pageants at church. I still get d and f confused, and Gabe laughs at me a lot, but that's what friends are for after all.
Last week, we went to lunch at the Daisy Cafe with Whimsy and Kyle, and ate our fill of delicious soups, salads, and sandwiches (oh my!). I was a bit intimidated by the situation as I wasn't sure how well we'd be able to communicate without our slew of gadgets and I was mildly worried that the lunch would be eaten in an awkward sort of silence... or what Whimsy, Kyle, and I would all yammer while Gabe was left out.
Instead, we ended up with what I'm calling a charming game of charades. I'm sure the waitresses thought that we were ridiculous, but it was fun! Gabe would act something out and we would start to learn the words (he says the fastest way to learn ASL is by drinking beer, and that definitely got a laugh!). Then we would act something out and he would show us what it meant. We spent more time talking with our hands than we did eatting (much to Kyle's dismay), but it was a lot of fun and we're all resolved to do it again as soon as we can. It definitely gets that creative brain working!
Ghosts of the Future
On notes of the future, I can only say that this is a bit of a whine of dismay. I ordered my Xbox, as I posted a few back, and it came all bright and shiny and new. Unfortunately, it doesn't play any discs, whether it be games (and I already bought two. I know what you're wondering... was one of them Ninety Nine Nights? How could you doubt it?!) or DVDs, so I'm going to be returning it to get a replacement. I doubt that it will be here by Christmas, so one of these days, perhaps tonight if Melbonia has anything to say about it, I'll drag my games over to her place to tinker with. I really want to see them, and I'm mildly disappointed.
On other thoughts regarding this coming Christmas, Winter Veil in World of Warcraft starts tomorrow and I'm determined to get the Acheivement done so by next year I can get myself that purple proto drake! Long term goals, my friends, long term goals.
I'm sure you'll hear from me by the time the season is over, but... if for some reason I get bogged down by all that holiday cheer...
Merry Christmas!