from Go Fish to Farmville 2
I waked from my nap today, popped out of the bed to rush to my computer. I almost missed the time! My sunflowers should be mature, I could pick them and have enough food to feed the sheep which have the last piece of wool that I need to make a blanket. If I have one more blanket, I can get a bonus. Now if this is not crazy, please tell me what is?
I started thinking about games and gaming. I was amazed what a role that gaming plays in my life. How about yours?
I tried to do something of a time line of my personal gaming history. I had fun remembering sitting at the dining room table on Sunday playing Monopoly with grandmother trying to keep me occupied because we lived so far away from friends. When I visited my other grandmother, MeMe, we would play Chinese checkers for hours on end. I can remember her laughter. Actually, outside games were another issue. Every single day, outside or in, school was a wonderful place to play games. I so looked to recess and the challenges of Hop Scotch, Red Rover, Dodge Ball, and later softball. When not in school when I had a friend over it was Jane and Tarzan or other alone imaginary games.
College brought to me an awareness of Bridge. We would have a constant game that lasted for weeks Yes a table for four. We kept it going. And then there was golf and tennis that were required courses. Such fun on dates. I don't think they are required any more.
I learned to play Cribbage after I got married and met my father-in-law who was avid. I soon graduated to penny poker and even a few games of strip poker in those early years of marriage. Canasta with the girls was a special time.
Then along came video games..oh my goodness!!! I have played games every since we bought our first ATARI system. Pong was the game that everyone had to have. The rush we got from watching the one ball, then more ....what was the objective? Pac-Man was soon to come on the scene. I would come home and play to get rid of the stress. For just a few minutes I was transported to another world.
Then I really got busy. No time for frivolity. But I began using games as soon as I started teaching. In the beginning it was simple scavenger hunts and moved on up to complicated day long games to teach management and cross cultural issues. People told me that men, and especially doctors just would not participate. But they loved the games. Men love competition. BaFaBaFa is particularly great and very complicated.
I do not remember any game playing except golf, which I miss to this day...when I was married to Ralph. Especially playing with the kids when they were little. But when I retired, I found myself with time on my hands. It was not long before my nieces Nancy and Suzie introduced me to Ultima Online. The fantasy began. I could be anyone I wanted to be. I took on the persona of a little five foot tall, chestnut haired WoodNymph. I played so many hours that I will never admit how many. I took a time with StarWars and a few other games, but my Ultima account stayed active for over 12 years. As Facebook became part of my life, I quickly signed on to the games available. I spend a few minutes a day playing Bejeweled but lots of minutes playing Farmville2.
Daily, I shall not mention where, I pick up my Sudoku book and do a game or two. Not so long ago, I was given my first Kindle and now I can play anywhere I go and do not need to rely on my iPhone for Solitaire, and a bunch of others. Bubble games are such fun to play before I read at night.
I feel somewhat vindicated in that prestigious institutions of higher education are teaching gaming. I took a Coursera https://www.coursera.org/#courses course recently on Gamificaton taught by Wharton Business School at University of Pa. I am taking another beginning in a couple of days. Game Theory taught at Berkley.Yes they have a courses at the graduate level. They are all free. If you don't know about them, I think they are well worth your time. From higher math to who knows what else. All Free.
The question is... Am I addicted to just any game?
Oh I forgot to tell you about my memory games from Lumonsity.com. Gotta keep your mind exercised!
And I do eat, bathe, sleep, paint and have wonderful conversations with my friends. Isn't life one Big Game?
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