Take these gadgets, for example. I bought a Wii system about five years ago, thinking that Madame Padre would enjoy it, especially the fitness board. Sadly, I overestimated her enthusiasm for technology. The idea of playing Wii together in the evening was also appealing, but we soon found that watching films together or playing Scrabble was more entertaining and less irritating than trying to remember all the motions to the various Wii games.
Or this. In my last posting, I would have junior officers over quite often, and video game sessions over beer were quite a lot of fun, especially as they enjoyed shooting me repeatedly in Call of Duty games. I never really got the hang of first person shooters, and would blunder around all confused and vulnerable. I had thought I might stay in touch with those guys by playing video games with them online, but we were all too busy for that. I did enjoy playing through the PS3 version of XCom a few years back, but never felt the need to revisit it.
So all this lot is going. I have a nephew with a young family, and my hope is that he will want it as a gift. If not, I'll try to flog it online or bequeath it to the church rummage sale if they promise not to give it away for a fiver and try instead for at least $100 per set.
One of the benefits of middle age is that I now realize that there is a finite amount of time left to me to pursue things. I could paint more, game more, read more novels, spend time with my wife, rather than sit in front of a screen. So out it goes. Simplify, simplify.
Not that getting rid of this lot will mean less clutter in my life. I have a line on a friend's 15mm WW2 Soviet army, fairly cheap, which will mean even more toys to pack for the move. But at least those toys won't need power cords and batteries.
Blessings,
MP+
My XBOX360 got the same treatment a while back for the very same reasons. I get SO MUCH MORE hobby work done without me spending hours a week wasted on video gaming.
ReplyDeleteDai, that was just the realization with me. I found that each evening after work it was so much easier to sit down with the controller in my hand, and yet, at the end of the evening, I had NOTHING to show for it. Even the thrill of solving a difficult level or finishing a game to the final cut scene was dissatisfying, like waking up from a dream. Wasted time, I found.
DeleteMichael, your priorities look well-positioned to me.
ReplyDeleteNever could get into reading fiction with so much history left unread.
Well, the blessing and curse of an undergrad in literary studies is that I judge myself on how much good fiction (as opposed to paperback genre fiction) I read. My normal default is non-fiction, especially history, but I haven't read a quality novel in a long time. Besides, after a while, with history, I find I know the basic narratives, and start judging books based on whether I agree or disagree with the historian's approach. Fiction often feels, well, more novel when you don't know the ending.
DeleteGetting rid of electronic crap and buying more toy soldiers looks like a sound plan to me. Well done!
ReplyDeleteGlad you approve, Tim. A coveted seal of approval. :)
DeleteThis is a man of sound judgement. The Wii is long past its day anyway.
ReplyDeleteI had high hopes for the Wii at the time but it started to seem clunky and awkward very quickly. I don't hear anyone talking about it now.
DeleteNever been tempted to go down the online gaming path, thankfully, though we have got netflix recently, which seems to be a new timewaster keeping me from the painting desk!
ReplyDeleteIf you're after some good historical fiction, I can recommend the Charlie Berlin series of detective novels set in post-WW2 Australia. The main character struggles with PTSD while coming to grips with civilian life and the bureaucracy of the police force, while solving crimes everyone else puts in the too-hard basket, expecting him to fail and be the scapegoat for. Very evocative of post-war Australia. https://www.goodreads.com/series/77499-charlie-berlin
Thanks JR. I;ll look for the Charlie Berlin books, they sound interesting.
DeleteGood skills Mike. I think you are wise beyond your years mate.
ReplyDeleteYes, let it all go Michael!
ReplyDeleteBeing also in the process of preparing a house move, I can relate to your desire to simplify. Fortunately, I never got into computer gaming, but there's other stuff to get rid off. And I've got too many books!
ReplyDeleteI have got to agree about them being time sapping. I spent all to much time on my pc gaming online with buddies all over the world. I then stopped after my second daughter arrived for lack of time. But found painting and gaming far more rewarding. I have been tempted by one or two games namely Fallout 3 but can't justify cost for the time spent on them. I must admit I do prefer painting its far more relaxing.
ReplyDeleteThanks all. Paul, I could just be a wise fool. :)
ReplyDeleteWargaming raft, can you have too many books? The just may be out on that.
Simon, PC gaming is another time sink. There are some awesome historical wargames for the PC and Mac out there. A few years back I put a lot of hours into a game for the iPad called Battle Academy from Slitherine and had to force myself to let it go. The temptation just takes new forms.