Thoughts from a Bald Man

I might need a 12 step program.  No, not for alcohol, drugs, gambling, or any of the traditional vices; I’m beginning to become addicted to Guitar Hero, one of my Christmas presents from my wife.  Ironically, it is she who is telling me that I’m addicted and in need of help.

I’ve never been a real gamer.  I played a little Duck Hunt, Pit Fall, and Donkey Kong when I was a kid (am I dating myself here) but I was much happier playing outside, creating my own adventures.  In high school I moved on to Sonic, Road Rash, and John Madden but I was never as good as any of my friends.  This makes them LOVE to play against me but holds no real interest for me (“Sure, hit me again.  I like it!”)

Then came Tiger Woods.  I played my friends TW game from like 2002 (of course, he was better than me) but was hooked.  Last year I convinced my wife to get me a PS2, telling her “Don’t worry, I’m not much of a gamer.”  I tried a couple other games but kept coming back to TW08 – my true love.  Until this year when I got Guitar Hero.

I’ve already made it through the Aerosmith game on easy and am getting ready to move up to medium.  I also got World Tour (minus the drums and mic) and am working on getting ready for the move to medium on that as well.  I’m having so much fun and my fingers are getting a workout.

My hope is that my friend who is a gamer, we’ll call him “Jerry,” hasn’t played it much and I can get to the point that I can destroy him when he comes over to play Guitar Hero.  It will make up for all those years he used to smash me over the head with his club when we were playing Road Rash.

And isn’t that the true meaning of Christmas?

Two days left till Christmas; one till my wife’s family arrives.  There is still a lot left on my list of things to do.  Not the least of which is still buying my wife a present.  Most women are easy to buy for, simply get some diamond jewelry and you can pretty much coast buy with stupid little filler gifts (“He went to Jared!  He went to Jared?  He went to Jared!!!)  But my wife isn’t big on the whole jewelry thing and that limits me greatly.

Her dislike of jewelry is more from my wife’s wonderful vein of practicality (why spend that much money on a necklace), but yet practical gifts don’t work well either (here Honey, pots and pans).  So every year I beat my head in trying to come up with the perfect gift for the woman who doesn’t like jewelry.  I’d love some ideas but make it snappy.  I’ve got two days left!