Passing time

News Flash. I am a gamer. I play computer games often. Everyday, usually. I look for new games coming out and read with great interest the industry rags that keep gamers informed about changes in technology and gaming trends. So does that make me somehow juvenile or developmentally stunted?

I probably play games somewhere around 10-15 hours a week. This seems to be an issue with the List Keeper. She seems to feel that gaming takes me away from her and the family. Well she may have a point sometimes. If I get a new game I am driven to finish it and will be so focused on it that I do ignore other responsibilities. I admit that, and try to keep that to a minimum. Hey, step one in a 12-step program.

However, when there are not any new games on my shelf, there are plenty of old standbys that have multiplayer on-line components to them. Competition. Friendly, no pressure, competition. Great stuff.

"C'mon. You're competing against little kids. Grow up." you might say. Ummm, no. It's not kids and teens necessarily. In fact, most of the servers I go to are more likely to be populated by young adults. And call it the on-line version of a mid-life crisis, but there is something very satisfying about competing and defeating people much younger and supposedly better at something. It's the same sort of satisfaction one gets on the playing field as an older athlete getting the better of younger ones.

Which brings me back to the family. I generally do not play games while the kids are awake. I may be on the computer, but I am not playing any games. If I am needed then they can just ask, and they know this. In fact, chances are they are the ones playing games and ignoring me. Funny thing is that I can ask them if there is anything they want to do with me and they usually have no ideas. But I am still the parental unit that is most likely to cook dinner. So what's that? Number one or number two on the hierarchy of needs?

As for neglecting the List Keeper, she may have a point. But I don't call it neglect. I simply ask, "What would we be doing if I was spending my time with her as opposed to playing a game?" Answer: Watching TV.

There is nothing I feel any great need to watch on TV. I generally steer towards a sporting event. The List Keeper has no interest in that. Unless it's skating or the Tour de France. Boring! Skating is fixed (remember the French judge!) and cycling is about as exciting as watching golf. Just give me the highlights on the news and I'm good to go.

OK. What about a documentary or History channel? Nope. She'd rather watch Fear Factor. C'mon. Fear Factor? How many times do I need to see somebody drink cow bile? Or chew some crickets? Sorry, but for $50,000 I'm not eating bugs. I'd do the stunts. They look like fun. But eating gross stuff has nothing to do with fear. It has more to do with your gag reflex. Maybe they should call it Gag Factor. The only real plus to that show is the skimpy attire the women usually wear. But I digress.

So if I wasn't gaming I would be watching TV, with the List Keeper (audience response: Awww.). In the words of the Church Lady, "Well isn't that special?" Chances are she isn't just watching TV, though. She's probably doing some cross-stitching or some other hobby. Hmmm, doing a hobby (not doing her hubby :wink: ). Isn't that the same as what I would be doing if I was playing a game?

And that is the main point of all this. Gaming is a means to pass my free time. It is a hobby. It is entertainment. It is cheap entertainment. I am still playing a game I bought in 1998 for $50. Beat that. Not to mention the seemingly endless free games available on the 'net.

I won't be giving up gaming. It's my hobby. It's cheap entertainment. Be thankful I'm not a gambler, drinker or womanizer.