(Image used without permission from Savage Chickens)
Returning to work after the holidays always feels like coming down off of some strange sugar buzz. I've had a week and a half of no responsibility, no deadlines, and little stress. I've had time to read comics, play games, visit family, relax. And while the time off has not been free of busy-ness, it has been free of a lot of the structure that I live on.
So going back to work feels like a big downer. Winter has me depressed, and the year, while shiny and new, is a long road ahead. But I'm being self indulgent and depressing. No one wants to read about how blah I feel (not even me!). Better to look back at the fun I just had and all the good things that happened. Like how I got my Mom to play Mario Party.
Actually, I had a couple of nice successes with the Wii this Christmas. Just before the office closed down for the break, we decided that the last Friday (the 21st) would be a short day, followed by pizza and relaxing. Morgan and I were planning to be on the road early the next morning, so packing for a week in Saskatchewan had already begun a couple of days before. I planned to take the Wii with me, so I packed it up on Thursday and schlepped it to work on the bus with me for our Friday Fun Day.
We didn't get a lot of time to play with it, due to an abnormally busy day, but play we did. Bowling and Mario Party on a projection screen. And I got a bunch of people, all a fair bit older than me, to play. I got to show them that all video games are not quite beyond them.
Then the trip to the middle of nowhere, where my parents live. We brought the Wii with us the last time we visited, in the summer. I got my Dad to do some bowling then, but my Mom was a staunch holdout, preferring the safety of the couch. But after a little pleading, and a bit of bullying, we got her playing too. First it was a bit of bowling (which seems to be the ultimate gateway game), and then some Mario Party 8. I think that once the controller was in her hand she realized that it was easier to use than she had thought. I wouldn't be surprised if she gets a DS in the next year.
I also got to play Guitar Hero (3) for the first time. Not my own copy, but a friend's. Took on a few songs on easy, and even managed to 3-star a couple of songs on medium. I get the appeal, and I had a good time with it. I just wish I could justify the price-gap. Perhaps my birthday will yield the gift cards required.
There was also some board games, and card games. I tried to play something at every chance I got, and I got a few chances. I don't think I'll ever get tired of playing games, or learning how to play new ones.
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I suppose with it being a new year and all, I should be reflecting on 2007 and speculating on 2008. Except that last year was a blur, and a fairly unproductive one for me. And I have no idea what I want for 2008. Too much introspection makes me antsy, and I don't want to get lost in the woolgathering. It's time to get back to work, and make the next year as full and worthwhile as possible. Here's to getting over the holiday hangover.
"Nowhere?!?"
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