We're past the celebrity baby births and news of Paris Hilton's new hip hop album, leaving only the seas of blood to complete the disaster trifecta, but I'm remaining optimistic because my youngest son has found true love and it's a wonderful thing to see.
James is 13-almost-14 and the change in him has been remarkable. Where once he was mainlining DVDs and living on Long John Silver's while playing Worlds of Warcraft for weeks at a time, now he has let those childish things fade away as he takes that next step towards manhood and focuses with laser-like intensity on the new love of his life: the Xbox 360.
I was astounded when he bought one a few weeks ago, mostly because he had managed to keep from spending any money since Christmas to afford it. This is roughly akin to a tree deciding to save its leaves until spring; James isn't usually aware that he's spending his money. It just occurs, the way a dog sheds. But this time he held onto every dollar with an iron fist, begging to do chores for some extra bucks (while still avoiding the usual chores he ostensibly gets an allowance for, of course) and selling everything he could bear to part with. It was inspiring to watch, and a little frightening.
The image of someone holding a cardboard box, petting it, and making comforting noises was just great. My parents must have thought similar things back in the day.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
Chris, that was perfect.
Seriously.
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
Do you have enough columns published to release a book of them?
Cause I'd buy that in a second.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
<Cheer>
That made me laugh out loud at work, DONT DO THAT! That was a very good entry. I fully plan on making my kids do the same thing for (we should be at PS5 by then) their gaming consoles. Then watch their frustrated faces as I massacre them in every game we play (who am I kidding, they will probably destroy me, they just have way more time to play then I will.)
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Sadly the newspaper owns 'em all. I could prolly get permission to publish but I dread the hoops I'd have to jump through. You can read 'em all here, though. Thanks!
Used to be that game systems were what my kids would ask for around Christmastime, but the last few have cost too much for a present so they've been on their own. I was honestly impressed he managed to save $250. Then he traded in his old systems for $60 each and bought a used (but still under warranty) 360 for $350. Not bad.
[ May 31, 2006, 12:02 PM: Message edited by: Chris Bridges ]
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:Do you have enough columns published to release a book of them?
Cause I'd buy that in a second.
Even if a publication isn't feasible, I have to say: I second this sentiment.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Good. When I finally finish a novel I expect mindless, instinctual sales, do you hear me? Ignore those silly reviews...
Posted by Anna (Member # 2582) on :
Are you seriously considering to write and publish a novel? If so don't forget to tell when it's done, I want my copy!
Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
The paper owns them, huh? How to guys like Rick Reilly and Dave Barry publish compilations of their columns? Give huge chunks of the royalties to the paper/magazine? Just curious, as I'm woefully uninformed in this area.
Posted by Kwea (Member # 2199) on :
Those guys are popular enough to work out sweetheart deals, that's how. Posted by pooka (Member # 5003) on :
quote:And you have to admit, tossing your old loves up on a counter to get credit towards a new one is pretty cool. Try that with girlfriends and they just get mad at you.
Actually, this is called "dating within her circle of friends". But yeah, pretty risky.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
I'm always seriously considering writing and publishing a novel. My hard drive is loaded with half-novels, including several I started during NaNoWriMo and one I keep coming back to. Right now I'm trying a novel-length fanfic to see if I can finish a book by writing in a familiar universe (note: not a jumping off point for a fan fiction pro and con rant).
Posted by The Pixiest (Member # 1863) on :
Chris, when you write a novel it will go on my shelf next to my OSC collection.
So get off your butt, lazy-bones! =D
Pix
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
Actually it would be before OSC, between "Bradbury" and "Brust"...
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Good. We have both of those authors, so there's a space for it. Get going!
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
It may be possible -- though difficult -- to maintain a relationship with both an Xbox 360 and a real, live woman. Time will tell if a liberal dose of two-player Joust is a suitable glue.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
Is that like the old Joust where you fly on ostriches?
Posted by Stan the man (Member # 6249) on :
My brother-in-law was saving up for one of those last year. I don't know if he got it yet or not.
Posted by twinky (Member # 693) on :
quote:Originally posted by dkw: Is that like the old Joust where you fly on ostriches?
Not only is it like that Joust, it is that Joust. Posted by Juxtapose (Member # 8837) on :
You know, as a kid, I played Joust for several weeks before I even figured out how to attack the opponents.
There were birdies that I could control!
Posted by romanylass (Member # 6306) on :
I am the only person in the family who doesn't play Joust.
Once I returned from Trader Joe's to see that my husband and 9 year old were playing Master of Orion on the computer, but whoever was not playing their turn was playing Joust on the PSwhatever.
Uh, that was totally OT.
Chris , that was so funny, and yes, I would most certainly buy any book you wrote.
Posted by Celaeno (Member # 8562) on :
I loved the article, Chris. Your son sounds just like my baby brother. He's too shy for girls, so he cultivates his relationship with his gaming systems. The biggest difference is that he keeps multiple systems around and he doesn't mind borrowing his neighbors' too. My brother's such a player.
Posted by andi330 (Member # 8572) on :
I'm seeing a Super Nintendo and all the birthday and Christmas money my brother saved to get it. Your son is more determined however. He (my brother) still has every gaming system he ever owned all the way back to the Atari 2600. If you were to go to his house you'd find the NES, Super Nintendo, N64, Game Cube and PS2 (he never got the PS1 and the Atari actually belongs to my parents). I'm not sure he'd be willing to trade in one system for another, let alone two.
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
We had all the old systems laying about until he discovered that he could trade them (and old games) in for credit at a local store and at Blockbuster. Finally, the concept of recycling means something!
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
quote: When we drove home he carried his new prize in his arms, cooing to it softly,
I have totally done this with new electronics. Ummm, and I'm not just talking about "when I was a kid" either.
Great column, Chris!
--Enigmatic
Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
quote:Originally posted by El JT de Spang: Do you have enough columns published to release a book of them?
Cause I'd buy that in a second.
I would, too.
Posted by Mrs.M (Member # 2943) on :
Very funny.
I will buy everything you publish.
BTW, any time your son fusses at you, tell him that you know a woman who won't let her children have any video game system, ever. Not even if they buy it with their own money or receive it as a gift.
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