Chillin'

Everyone has their own way of winding down.  Some grab a cool beer, some might put in a workout, while others settle down with a book.  When I manage to find some time I enjoy planting my ass in a comfy chair and playing a few games of NHL '11 on the PlayStation.  My wife will argue that at times this doesn't appear to be entirely relaxing given the nature of my swearing and hand gesturing.  Don't judge me I say!  I've seen you talk to the computer, and to your dog, and for your dog!  Despite this seeming contradiction I do in fact find the process enormously relieving.

I have enough challenge in my life, but this is in no way a complaint.  It simply means I am challenged at work, at home, and at the rink.  Often in between those places too.  I am challenged physically and mentally in different ways at almost all times of everyday.  The alternative would be stagnation, complacency, and boredom - overall a lower quality of life.

So when I need a break I grab the controller and set the game difficulty to I-paid-$50-for-this-game-and-right-now-I-just-need-to-hit-guys-and-score-goals-without-too-much-effort.  I think they abbreviate that as Rookie.  I don't need the challenge.  I need to hit guys and score goals without too much effort.  I need to feel like a pro for the skills I've already learned, not for stretching myself to the pinnacle of my gaming craft.  I'm a fucking average Joe and I don't care to be a gaming legend.  I think the designers of this game get that.  They let me just hit guys and score goals.

Now that being said I played only one game tonight before turning on the Wild game.  This way I can let them hit guys and score goals with even less effort on my part.  Then I pulled out the laptop as I also feel better when I write, which I haven't done much of lately.  All kinds of things have been going on in our house these past couple of months.  So much in fact that I've had little time to spend writing them down, but that hasn't stopped me from thinking to myself how I should be writing them down.  While these may be lost opportunities I have to marshal on.  Oh well.  Hockey season has started in our house and we'll be busier than ever but I hope to make some time for blogging here.  I really need it.