The Dynamics of Online Games

I'm afraid I must confess that I have found myself mesmerized by a game or two on the Internet. I won't say which games, but I'll bet many of you have played one yourself. This post is not about pointing fingers at those that might play, but the general psychology of this pastime. I have found it to be a most intriguing phenomena. So here are some of my thoughts on the subject.

Ernest Hemingway once said,  “Write drunk, edit sober.” And that is fine for a writer who knew that his words would not be read until they had been screened, screened and screened by the brightest and the best.  Most of us are not that lucky. We must stay cognizant of the fact that once a word has left our mouth or has been “sent” we can no longer edit. We can apologize, explain, do a tap dance, whatever it takes, but we can’t erase the words.

I see this happening on the Internet. Social media is cruel in that we get only one chance. We have no inflection or facial expression. We see only what was sent or posted, most of the time without the author rereading or editing. I am quite certain that many dramas have been caused by misspelled words, missing commas, and thoughts written and sent without hesitation. What we may find a hilarious statement could be construed by others as an affront or embarrassment.

It is interesting to note that most online games are played with strangers. We don't know them, yet we play and converse with other players as if we have been friends forever. We ask simple questions, "where are you from, what do you do, etc." We play and we banter back and forth. But we don't know these people. We know only what they tell us and in our innocence we assume it to be true. Add to the mix, ongoing conversations with several other unknown players in the same game. If you play long enough you will discover the crowd will fall into cliques: the morning group, the evening group, the higher levels and so forth. But what I have experienced is that because of words carelessly expressed, feelings get hurt at some point. Why? We don't even know each other. It's a game for heaven sakes! But it happens because we are human and the human factor has been added to the game. Generally each player has a moniker, we have something to call each other. We can ask for extra help or tokens. It isn't a mindless game anymore, it has become social, with real people and real feelings. When we type, we type fast and respond quickly. We don't think. We fail to realize that something said could be offensive to others because we come from different backgrounds, countries, ages and life experiences. We are all different.

I am not sure how I feel about the dynamics of online games, but I do know that if we choose to play we must take care not to offend. There are real people on the other end of that game and we really don't have a clue as to their circumstance. This might just be the outlet they need to help them through an otherwise miserable patch or it could just be a fun diversion from a hectic day of reality. But, whatever it is the players play because they want to.  So let's play nice and share kind words and freely give up tokens to help out a new found Internet friend.

And, don't get me started on the topic of the addiction of online gaming!

Back to Blogging!

I haven't written in several months. Life got in the way! To explain it all at this late time would make for an extremely lengthy diatribe so I will give a brief synopsis then cut to the chase.

My last posting was in August. Bill and I had gone out for dinner and what turned out to be an extraordinarily soggy walk. It would be our last date night for awhile. Two weeks later we had a life altering experience. Much to our shock and dismay Bill suffered a serious heart attack. The prognosis wasn't good. Many of his arteries were blocked so, he had emergency  surgery. The surgeon was incredible. Five bypasses later Bill was on the road to recovery. Fortunately the process that seemed to be endless was only two months from the day of surgery then back to the classroom for Bill. We were blessed!

And now I find myself at a place I call my "Emancipation Day" anniversary. It was a year ago, March 5th that I chose to leave my job as a teacher. The timing was shocking to myself and probably others, but it has turned out to be one of the best decisions that I have ever made. I was no longer feeling effective as an educator and in desperate need of further horizons. Though my choice to leave was reactive to an unpleasant event, it was just what I actually needed to have the guts to move on in my life. I will always have many happy memories of my career as an elementary school teacher. But at this time, I find myself in the place that I want to be.

God knew what he was doing. He needed me to stay home to help my husband recover from surgery. He needed me to be there for my mom and her appointments now that she no longer drives (my siblings carry their weight in this effort as well, I am no saint). I am able to help with grandchildren and be available when our new granddaughter arrives in July. And, when Madeleine's and Killian's 1st grade Daisy Scout troop needed a co-leader I was able to step up to the plate.  Many gifts have been granted me in my retirement, and I am most grateful.

I am also thrilled to be reunited with friends that I lost touch with because I was working. They too are blessings. So all in all,  I'm pleased to say that I'm a happy girl, back to blogging and hoping to inspire in any way that I can. And now I am working on by Bucket List! More to come…

The following is a link to the American Heart Association if you would like information about heart attacks and heart disease. It is important to know the signs!
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/WarningSignsofaHeartAttack/Warning-Signs-of-a-Heart-Attack_UCM_002039_Article.jsp

The Dog Days of Summer

Recently Bill and I enjoyed a date night, which included dinner and a walk. This seems so simple and trite, but as it turned out, not so.

We began our evening with dinner at Jakes, a local burger establishment. Being a cool evening, we opted to sit on the patio. This patio also allows four pawed patrons to join their two-footed friends. Overhearing the ladies at the table next to us, I assumed they were speaking with a young girl named Callie. I thought, “How cute, another Callie.” Our youngest daughter is Callie and rarely do we hear of another one. As we continued our dinner, we watched a couple of frolicking dogs run across the golf course fairway. Suddenly there was shrill barking and Callie all but knocked me out of my seat trying to join the fun. It was then that I realized, no, this barking furry friend was not another girl sharing my daughter’s name. She was a dog! Alas, still no other Callie.

We finished dinner and decided to take an evening stroll to burn off those burgers. While it was still overcast, the weather didn’t seem ominous. We walked our usual route. When we came upon an intersection, we saw two dogs dutifully waiting for the light to change. When the light changed they crossed. Once they crossed they decided to join us. Because they had on tags, I thought it would be prudent to contact the owner and report the dogs (Winston and Grayson) on the loose. The grateful owners came to rescue their escapees at once. But before they arrived the derelict pups took off in a different direction. Sadly, we had to bear the unwelcome news that they had given us the slip.

The dog lover in me was going to worry about these dogs all the way home, but I did not get the chance. The weather took a change for the worse. We were about a half a mile from home when thunder, lightning and rain took over the sky. As the thunder rolled, and the lightning struck we walkers became runners. The rain didn’t bother us one bit, but the celestial electricity did! However, we had rescuers. A couple stopped and insisted that we get in their car. Soaking wet, we refused, yet they insisted. As we closed the door, the woman, (who had been on the phone) said to her husband, “Our granddaughter is afraid we may have picked up criminals. Are we sure they don’t have a gun?” Really?

These lovely neighbors that we had never met promptly and safely dropped us off at home. I later learned that Winston and Grayson had been collected. They too, were home, sweet home. It is said that these are “The Dog Days of Summer.” I believe it.

What a date night!

Symbiotic Summer

After having lived some fifty-seven summers, I have learned that they are all too fleeting. This one in particular seems to going by at warp speed. This summer began with my daughter-in-law and grandson coming for an extended stay. While waiting on their house closing in Denver, Amanda mused that they were living as gypsies. I, on the other hand, have never been happier than to have the “gypsies” bless our home with fun and laughter. 

Please note that with Riley and Amanda came two Pomeranian pooches. Include our three furry friends and that expanded the pack to five. In a house with a toddler and five dogs, it is reasonable to assume life can get chaotic and at the same time, amusing.

In the mix of dogs is one large, old, wolf-husky with a heart of gold. But, he is rarely alone. Moses comes equipped with his own symbiotic sidekick, Sadie. Sadie is a little Japanese Chen that adores Moses and is always at his side. Amanda suggested that Moses and Sadie reminded her of a white rhino with his own oxpecker. (Now we all know from elementary school science that symbiotic relationships are beneficial both for the host and the parasite. The rhino stays bug free, and the oxpecker stays full and satisfied.) As it turns out, that is true of these two dogs, as well. They have a companionship like no other. Then here comes trouble in the form of a sixteen-month-old fan of extremely large dogs, Riley Walker Eldridge!

White Rhino and Oxpecker

Sadie and Moses

Much to the dismay of Lady Sadie Sarah, she had to share her best friend with her nemesis Riley. Riley, more often than not, was seen climbing or sitting on a dog much larger than he or trying to pull the ears of Miss Sadie, queen of the house. Sadie’s life changed dramatically, as did that of Moses.

Tormenting Sadie

Best Buds!

The tables had turned. Moses had become the oxpecker to Riley. He tolerated behavior that would send most dogs over the edge, but never the less he protected and followed Riley everywhere. Moses is no fool. He instinctively knew that symbiotic relationships are an excellent thing. At some point, a baby will spill, leaving behind a snack for a devoted and loyal friend!

Thoughts on Endings and Reunions

Now that the “Three Weeks to the Suit” mission has ended, I have renamed my blog “Happy to be at Home.” That’s because, I am. I have had several months to ponder the reasons that I left teaching, a career that I loved. I know I did the right thing in doing so. One’s priorities and dignity must come first. I left my students abruptly, and it was certainly one of the hardest things I have ever done. I let them down. They are too young to understand adult issues, and I understand that. But we must prioritize. God first, then family, and finally, career. This time family trumped career. I’m at peace with my decision, and that’s what matters. Thank you for indulging me for a moment. Now I shall move on.

It seems as though we are celebrating our 40th high school reunion next week. I have not committed to going, but probably will attend. One of my best friends is coming from Virginia and has managed to shame me into making an appearance. I think her words were something like, “I never used to HAVE to talk you into playing and laughing.”

The reunion has possibilities. I was in a class of about one thousand students. I was only average, and I don’t think I will be remembered. But, as it turns out, I remember many faces and too much of what happened in those days. I don’t know why I have this silly gift (or curse), but I do. It will be fun to see who else is able to remember the class of 1972!

Top picture, my sophomore year. Bottom picture, my fifth grade class. I am first row first student. 

The Aftermath!

My goddaughter's wedding was as beautiful as I knew it would be. Jenny sparkled like a fairy tale princess and her smile lit the world on fire. God smiled too and made sure it was a perfect evening on the Gulf Coast Beach.

Jenny's wedding was held at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Long Beach, Mississippi. The beautiful church is new, as Katrina, in her fury, took the original structure, but the love and memories are still there. It is a place that will always be treasured by the families of the coast, and our family, as well. Not only, was Jenny baptized at St. Thomas, so were our four children. Our two oldest children also made their First Communion there. I was so excited to be part of this parish and to return and share it with Callie, my last to be baptized there. She was too young to remember much of Long Beach, but was amazed at how God has His hand in this place!

"What about the "suit?", you ask. I am sorry to say that the "suit" didn't make the cut. I thought that it was the epitome of my style, my flair if you will. It wasn't at all. Let's talk tacky. It was too shiny, too tight at the top, too long and baggy at the bottom (how the hell did that happen?), and what about those buttons? Thank goodness for Anne Taylor. The problem was resolved with a truly flattering navy shift and a pair of wedge, ankle strapped sandals. I fit right in. It turns out we have all aged. It is not a terrible thing. The twenty years I missed in Mississippi not only changed me, it had changed my friends. And I'd like to add, though we are now twenty years older, we are twenty years better. Ah, the gift of time!

So all of my days of running and dieting were good for my health, but not necessary for lasting friendships. What I learned from "Three Weeks to the Suit" is in the immortal words of Dr. Seuss, "Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." And these lovely friends from long ago don't mind, they matter!
This isn't the end of the "Suit." Keep following.

More Three Weeks to the Suit

Today, considering "the suit," I was planning to step out of my comfort zone and ride my bike to work off those pesky famous five pounds. When I walked into the garage to get my bike I saw a horrific mess. I thought,"a little clean up prior to my bike ride?" I had to decide. Not a difficult question for me. Did I mention that I am intimidated by the bike, scared of the bike, terrified of the bike? I know I need to dominate the bike, but the garage clean up was necessary and it won!

I removed all the junk from the garage and took it to the front yard for trash pick up. That little clean up lasted several hours. Though I found many memories (that I treasure), I also found and a lot of stuff that should have remained with their owners (my children), not in my storage. But that's another story and okay with me.

Boxes are now organized and labeled. Each of my offspring may pick up their belongings and remove them from my garage at their earliest convenience.

My quest for "the suit" will continue.  Perhaps, tomorrow I will ride the bike…maybe!