I don’t like video games. I don’t. Growing up, we never had a gaming system (even an Atari, because YES, I am that old). The only time I played Super Mario Brothers and Duck Hunt was when I babysat a family that had a Nintendo – and only rarely, because it was super embarrassing to be beat by kindergartner.
They got to practice all the time, okay?!
Mark and I have never owned any sort of gaming system, although we’ve had plenty of arguments over which particular system is the best and which one we’d like to own someday. These days we’re looking for the one that will let us watch Netflix on our TV as well as play Just Dance, that Madden game and something with princesses. That shouldn’t be too hard, right?
Anyway. I don’t like video games.
And I’m including games on my phone and our Kindle Fire in that category. Sure, a few puzzle or reading games here and there keep Annalyn busy in the doctor’s office or DMV. And I can’t deny that it’s pretty cute watching Mark and Annalyn compare scores on Temple Run and discuss ways to get wings or magnet power or whatever it is they do.
And FINE, so I play Words with Friends, but seriously – if you’ve ever played against me, you know that my skills leave much to be desired and can barely be described as “playing.”
Other than that, though, I don’t like video games.
So when my friend Josh introduced Mark to the world of Candy Crush on vacation, I was a little annoyed. We don’t have a whole lot of family time, so another distraction is the last thing we need. Still, when Annalyn asked him to download it on the Kindle for her to play, I didn’t argue.
I did, however, refuse to play the game myself. At first.
It turns out that we couldn’t actually find the official Candy Crush game for the Kindle, so Mark downloaded something called Candy Swipe instead. It’s a simple game, a dumb game – like all video games. And when Annalyn asked me to play, over and over, I said no.
I didn’t want to play. I don’t like video games. I didn’t want to play.
But she wore me down. She explained the rules and asked me to play, pretty please, Mommy, just one time?
AND THAT WAS ALL IT TOOK.
You guys, I am totally and completely hooked on this stupid game!!!
I CAN’T STOP PLAYING IT.
Well, that’s not completely true. As I told Mark last night, I don’t play it in bed. I might play it in the bathroom [“What?!” he said. “We aren’t supposed to have the Kindle in the bathroom! THAT’S YOUR RULE!”], but I have boundaries. Okay? OKAY???
*sigh*
This. THIS is why I don’t like video games. They are addictive as M&Ms (and you KNOW how I feel about those).
If you need me, I’ll just be in the corner, playing one more round of Candy Swipe, saying, “Yeah, baby, you can have a turn in a second. IN A SECOND! Just…one…more…second!”
Do you play any video/phone/tablet games? What’s your weakness favorite?
Photo by Julie @ Frugally Retro
My kids play this but I’m the addictive sort so I have been trying to avoid it at all costs. I got WAY sucked into WWF and had to delete it from my phone. I don’t play video games because I either hate them or love them WAY too much. Once exception is Tetris that I’ll play when I’ve exhausted all my social media apps in the doctor’s office or something.
Mark plays Tetris (it’s a good fit for a FedEx guy who has to load boxes into a trailer), but I’ve never gotten the hang of that one. As for WWF, the people I play probably WISH I’d get a little more hooked. I only play every couple of days!
I avoided Candy Crush Saga for SO long. I have friends that are at level 300+. But you know how facebook goes… my son clicked on it, so it will now overwhelm my news feed with updates and requests, because I’m now a “player.” I figured that I would try it out anyway, since I wasn’t going to be able to get rid of it now.
Oh gosh, I’m so glad my Candy Crush Knockoff doesn’t have levels like that. I’d be even worse off!
I purposely avoided Candy Crush for a long time, then last week (for whatever reason) I downloaded it…to see what the fuss was about. Now I can’t stop playing it…lol
Well, at least I’m not alone in this ridiculous problem! :)
I haven’t tried Candy Crush yet either, but ive been tempted! Lots of people I know love it. My favorites are Where’s My Water? and Cut The Rope. I was totally addicted to those for awhile (until I completed every level and didn’t have any more to do!) It’s so sad. I was ignoring my son for a video game. Mom of the year, right here!
Don’t try Candy Crush! Don’t do it!!! ;)
I too hate video games. My husband on the other hand loves them. I remember dates at Show Biz pizza just for him to play Pacman ect…. We still have Atari packed away in the garage along with a multitude of others. He refuses to part with them. I will never play them BUT he is addicted to Angry Birds and the game is fine but I hate the noises. Drives me crazy and he finds it hysterical.
Oh, I know what you mean. My daughter played Angry Birds for a little while and that music put me up the wall.
I had a similar problem with Snood a few years ago. Now I don’t let myself get started on games like that! I never had a gaming system growing up either, but something about those Tetris-y games just sucks me in.
Yep, exactly – I never should have gotten started!!! Now I just wait until I get tired of it, I guess – or, you know, grow some discipline… ;)
This is only the second post of yours that I have read (I was just introduced to you through Holly Gerth’s blog) but I think we may be kindred spirits! Loved your post “Talking Big and Dreaming Big” as I too am experiencing a big dream that is tugging at my heartstrings and causing crocodile tears more frequently than I would prefer.
I have ALWAYS had a gaming addiction so I try hard-ish to stay away but Candy Crush Saga has got me beyond hooked. It’s ridiculous and totally toys with my sanity yet I crave it…a little like I crave M&M’s!
Hi Jen! Thanks so much for coming over and commenting! Yes – big dreams, candy video games and M&Ms – sounds like we have more than a little in common! :)