Recently I got to do something that I have wanted to do in a long time.... No! Not that! I finally got to game, and I mean really game, with my son. I have, since the day he was born, wanted to teach him some of my favorite games and have him has my gaming bud. Well, now that day has finally come. At the urging of a friend of mine, we endeavored to teach our boys the newest version of the classic game of RISK. It is RISK 2210AD and it is a fantastic reworking of a great game. Happily, the boys took to it very quickly and even were able to remind us of rules that we told them about but were forgetting to adhere to at times. It took a bit of hand holding to get them through and I won't say we didn't help them with strategy but in the end, the way they played the game was up to them and win or lose, it was their choice. I did win the game and Julian came in third, but for me it was better just to see him enjoying it and saying how cool the game was and that he wants to play again!
And over the Christmas break I introduced Julian to D&D, a game that is very dear to me in more ways that just one. This too he took to very well. I have since played another game with him and another younger player and her family and we had a great time. At times I hear him talking to his friends about this game in tones of excitement and anticipation. It makes me feel good to know that he likes it and that the game can create fun and excitement for him too. (However, I must remember that he is 10 and 10 year olds tend to get tired after few hours of battling blood thirsty monsters) I hope the game sticks for him and that he eventually takes off on his own with it and starts it up with his friends. I remember the good times that game created for me and my buds and hope that it does the same thing for him.
I love my kids and want to be their friend as much as their father. Maybe this will be one way to insure that relationship. Now that I think of it, being a dad is kind of like being a DM for a D&D game. You get to be the person who showers rewards, controls their environment, and becomes their worst nightmares...
Anyway, go out and play a game with your kids. You might find that you like it!
Later!
Wednesday, January 26, 2005
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
What's up with the way we identify couples..?
Have you ever wondered why when we name a couple, be they married, dating, brothers, sisters, or whatever make s them a "couple" of people, one person's name alway comes first. Well, if you haven't, too bad! I have and I am going to let you know what I think....
Anyway, lets take a fake couple, and call them Bob and Dave. When introduced to new people, you always say Bob and Dave, not Dave and Bob. Why?
Here's what I think. I think it is one of three reasons:
The first is that it just rolls off the tongue easier in certain combinations. This is probably what most people would say is the reason why we identify couples in a certain way.
The second reason is familial. Let's say one person in the couple is blood- relation to you. Almost always, I bet you say the relatives name first. Maybe not in every instance, but more likely than not. Try it out and identify the couples you know that has one person that is related to you and see what you come up with. (If you have known one of the persons longer or have a strong friendship with that one person, it acts alot like a relative.)
The third reason is a bit more subtle, and maybe a bit more insightful into your opinions or feelings about the people in the couple. Could it be that the person named first in the identification could be the person that you care for the most or like the most and the second person is a bit farther down, if only slightly, on your friendship scale? Think really hard about it and see how you feel about the couples that you often identify with their first names. And if you find some couples that you don't name one person first more frequently, maybe they are new to your circle of friends or family. Makes you think don't it. The next time that someone identifies you (as a couple) to a person and your name is second, do you think they care less for you than the other person in your couple, or could the above two factors be more accurate? Makes you wonder!
later!
Anyway, lets take a fake couple, and call them Bob and Dave. When introduced to new people, you always say Bob and Dave, not Dave and Bob. Why?
Here's what I think. I think it is one of three reasons:
The first is that it just rolls off the tongue easier in certain combinations. This is probably what most people would say is the reason why we identify couples in a certain way.
The second reason is familial. Let's say one person in the couple is blood- relation to you. Almost always, I bet you say the relatives name first. Maybe not in every instance, but more likely than not. Try it out and identify the couples you know that has one person that is related to you and see what you come up with. (If you have known one of the persons longer or have a strong friendship with that one person, it acts alot like a relative.)
The third reason is a bit more subtle, and maybe a bit more insightful into your opinions or feelings about the people in the couple. Could it be that the person named first in the identification could be the person that you care for the most or like the most and the second person is a bit farther down, if only slightly, on your friendship scale? Think really hard about it and see how you feel about the couples that you often identify with their first names. And if you find some couples that you don't name one person first more frequently, maybe they are new to your circle of friends or family. Makes you think don't it. The next time that someone identifies you (as a couple) to a person and your name is second, do you think they care less for you than the other person in your couple, or could the above two factors be more accurate? Makes you wonder!
later!
Monday, January 03, 2005
New Years Resolutions?
Does anyone make them anymore or are we just to unreliable and irresponsible to follow through with them? No one I met made any, or at least did not tell me of them if they did. (why?)
I however, always make resolution or two and certainly try to stick to it. This year I have a few more than normal. Here they are.
1. To do things on my time and say NO more often. (this one is the third year in a row for it and it has been working out very well for me.)
2. To game more. Especially with my kids. (I love games and games love me, so why not...?)
3. To continue going to the gym on a regular basis. (this one is easy as it has become a sort of habit.)
4. To own a new (new-used) motorcycle before the spring.
5. To order from the appetizers and dessert menus more often. (Life is short...)
So did you make any resolutions? I hope so, because people need goals, otherwise they just exist and don't create, or improve, or help, or simply have fun.
Happy New Year!
Later!
I however, always make resolution or two and certainly try to stick to it. This year I have a few more than normal. Here they are.
1. To do things on my time and say NO more often. (this one is the third year in a row for it and it has been working out very well for me.)
2. To game more. Especially with my kids. (I love games and games love me, so why not...?)
3. To continue going to the gym on a regular basis. (this one is easy as it has become a sort of habit.)
4. To own a new (new-used) motorcycle before the spring.
5. To order from the appetizers and dessert menus more often. (Life is short...)
So did you make any resolutions? I hope so, because people need goals, otherwise they just exist and don't create, or improve, or help, or simply have fun.
Happy New Year!
Later!
A wonderful Holiday Vacation
Wow! I don't know about anyone else, but I have had the best Christmas Break Vacation in a long time! Starting on the 22nd, I attended the Monty Python stage musical of "Spamalot." It was great and the limo drive with a bunch of my good friends was the crowning of a great night. The Christmas holiday was as I wanted it! The kids were ecstatic over their gifts, the gifts I gave were appreciated, and I loved all the ones I got. (My wonderful wife even considered a new motorcycle for me...it did not appear under the tree, but the fact that she even considered it should be proof enough of how cool she is.) My whole family was present for the holiday and we had a great time! We hosted a large party of 53 people at our home. It was a blast too! (this party has been going on for 50+ years by the way) In the down time, there were games, XBOX, shopping, sleeping in, hanging out, being lazy, working hard, eating good food and generally having not much of a schedule. Even New Years eve was fairly relaxed and easy going! It was great! A great way to end the year. To all those involved in making it happen, Thanks!
Later!
Later!
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