{"id":7883,"date":"2016-02-12T09:21:37","date_gmt":"2016-02-12T14:21:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=7883"},"modified":"2016-02-12T17:13:15","modified_gmt":"2016-02-12T22:13:15","slug":"5-friday-faves-video-games-nfl-man-of-the-year-hospitality-writing-and-animal-courage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/debmillswriter.com\/?p=7883","title":{"rendered":"5 Friday Faves – Video Games, NFL Man of the Year, Hospitality, Writing, and Animal Courage"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Blog<\/a><\/p>\n

It’s that glorious Friday again. Here are my favorite finds of the week:<\/p>\n

1) Video Games <\/strong>– What is the appeal of video games for our boys and men? It is a mystery to me. I do understand the gaming camaraderie between players – some friends, some strangers who become friends, kinda sorta. The cutting-edge graphics designed mostly for the eyes of our guys are clearly appealing. And levels…oh, the levels keep our boys and men coming back for the challenge –\u00a0the competition on an even playing field –\u00a0without judging from outsiders. Well, except for the occasional\u00a0run-ins with wife or mother. Lastly, it’s the welcome mindlessness, I’m thinking. The momentary\u00a0escape from organic chemistry, or frustrating job, or Master’s thesis, or [fill in the blank].<\/p>\n

We all have indulgent time-wasters, and I battled with my boys over video games more than I should have. My regret over that\u00a0transformed into joy this week, as the guitarist son of mine<\/a> actually\u00a0turned a video game theme into a lovely work on classical guitar. Who would have thought it? To see Nathan smile (at minute 1:40 in video) makes me wonder at the sweet memory he has of that game’s music. Hello again, Legend of Zelda<\/em>. Don’t remember you like this.<\/p>\n