Today was the March for Life in D.C. Darren has attended the last four or five years, but had pretty much decided to sit this one out. Until Addi informed him last week at church that she was planning to go in with him.
So, complete with a new umbrella and backpack, she walked with Darren. She held a sign that she'd gotten from someone else ("I am the pro-life generation") and apparently thoroughly enjoyed herself. It's possible that Darren was pretty proud to have his daughter at his side.
**
Oh, right, the backpack. I mentioned the backpack on Facebook, and forty-one of you liked it. Forty-one! I was exclaiming over the number, and Addi agreed that it was a big number "... for one of your posts. I mean, I bet rock stars get forty-one Likes in an hour." Thanks for the perspective adjustment there, darling.
Here's the post that so many people Liked:
Addi needed a new backpack for her library books. I found an LL Bean one for $7. I figured we could overlook the fact that it's already monogrammed. Until we all realized that the monogram "ALB" obviously stands for "Addi's Library Bag." A happy accident that makes me smile every time I look at the backpack.
**
Pip has come a long way since his second birthday (in June) when he could say two words: Mama and Dada. Now he says quite a lot, and some of it is even understandable. Most of his conversation deals with choo-choos, for which he has a deep and abiding love. He watches me put together puzzles, and remarks that the linked pieces are "choo-choos." He also loves "twucks." He also loves starting his own Netflix shows, usually ones that deal with choo-choos and twucks.
But the single most important concept in Phillip's life is: turns. More specifically, his turn. It's his one weapon of power against three older siblings. In Pip's world, it's always "Pup's tuhn."
**
For Christmas, we got Daphne a tea set made up of real, mismatched dishes from the thrift store. It turned out to be hard to find a good time for a tea party because it is, after all, always Pip's turn to have the teapot. So most nights a week, Daphne and I have a tea party before bed. We take turns being the shopkeeper and customer in a magic tea shop, where you can get any kind of tea you think of. There's a set script, and she and I have a good time trading roles. For the record, Daddy also has tea parties with her, following the same script, but he forgets to be charmed with the experience.
**
While Darren and Addi were at the March for Life, and while it was Pip's turn at the computer, Stuart and Daphne and I held a simplified D&D campaign. As usual, I struggled to keep all the numbers in order. But Stuart didn't mind, because while I was trying to keep straight which dice scored damage and which one to use for a difficulty check, Stuart's creativity was on a joyride. "I yank off the spider's leg to use as a club!" "You can't carry around a spider's leg! Look, okay, you can have the spider's fang. It's poisonous." "Yeah! So it gives extra poison damage, right?" Or, "You've defeated the evil skeleton!" "Yeah! Awesome! I take one of its bones to use as a club!" He scored a pretty good shot on a dragon when he set an arrow on fire, attached it to a shovel, and whacked the ice dragon's underbelly with it. It's a wild ride through a labyrinth with Stuart.
Daphne participated, too. Mostly she was pleased that her character name was her birthstone, Peridot, and that she paid 50 gold pieces for a horse halfway through.
***
Darren got me some chocolate wine for my birthday (in two days). It's good.
Showing posts with label Games. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Games. Show all posts
Monday, January 23, 2012
Saturday, May 07, 2011
Repost: Titan Quest
Because Darren mentioned Titan Quest in his 7 Quick Takes (#4 below), I repost the following from April 2008. Just to give two sides to the story here.
Not to criticize something that my husband enjoys, but Titan Quest is pretty much the dullest game ever created.
Here's how you play Titan Quest. You choose your character and name him or her. That's the fun part, and it all goes downhill from there. (The male characters measure about fifty-five inches around the chest. So do the female characters, for that matter.) Your character sets off on a quest. He talks to villagers. He fights enemies. He collects treasures. He sells treasures. He talks to villagers. He fights enemies. He collects treasures. He sells treasures. He talks to villagers. He fights enemies. Then, to make things even more exciting, he fights BIGGER enemies, and gets BIGGER treasures. This goes on until he gets to the tip-top boss of all boss characters, Typhon. He defeats Typhon. Hoo-ray!
At which point he unlocks "Epic Mode." You know what happens then? He STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. The enemies are stronger, he's stronger, the treasures are stronger. But it's the SAME DARN GAME.
The only thing remotely interesting are the names of the treasures, which score points for novelty. Just tonight Darren added to his inventory:
The Electrified Totemic Staff of Acuity
Charged Jewel Staff of Strength
Grim Raider Bow
Enfeebling Hatchet of Feasting
"Oh, come on," I say, looking over his shoulder as the character runs through the countryside laying waste to satyrs and carrion crows. "Can't you go explore those ruins over there?"
"You don't explore in this game."
Or, "Hey, weren't you in this labyrinth the last time I looked?"
"No, that was the labyrinth in Egypt. This is in Knossos."
Today I had an inspiration. "You know what would make that game more fun? If you picked up a magical trick staff that when you waved it, it turned into a rubber chicken."
I was the only one who laughed. After a moment, I suggested, "Or a magical staff that turns the Minotaur into a rubber chicken."
"Now that would be okay," Darren said.
"Oh, I get it. Losing a battle isn't okay, even if it's funny?"
"No."
I just don't get that game. I wouldn't mind seeing one of those hatchets, though.
-- SJ
Titan *yawn* Quest
Here's how you play Titan Quest. You choose your character and name him or her. That's the fun part, and it all goes downhill from there. (The male characters measure about fifty-five inches around the chest. So do the female characters, for that matter.) Your character sets off on a quest. He talks to villagers. He fights enemies. He collects treasures. He sells treasures. He talks to villagers. He fights enemies. He collects treasures. He sells treasures. He talks to villagers. He fights enemies. Then, to make things even more exciting, he fights BIGGER enemies, and gets BIGGER treasures. This goes on until he gets to the tip-top boss of all boss characters, Typhon. He defeats Typhon. Hoo-ray!
At which point he unlocks "Epic Mode." You know what happens then? He STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. The enemies are stronger, he's stronger, the treasures are stronger. But it's the SAME DARN GAME.
The only thing remotely interesting are the names of the treasures, which score points for novelty. Just tonight Darren added to his inventory:
The Electrified Totemic Staff of Acuity
Charged Jewel Staff of Strength
Grim Raider Bow
Enfeebling Hatchet of Feasting
"Oh, come on," I say, looking over his shoulder as the character runs through the countryside laying waste to satyrs and carrion crows. "Can't you go explore those ruins over there?"
"You don't explore in this game."
Or, "Hey, weren't you in this labyrinth the last time I looked?"
"No, that was the labyrinth in Egypt. This is in Knossos."
Today I had an inspiration. "You know what would make that game more fun? If you picked up a magical trick staff that when you waved it, it turned into a rubber chicken."
I was the only one who laughed. After a moment, I suggested, "Or a magical staff that turns the Minotaur into a rubber chicken."
"Now that would be okay," Darren said.
"Oh, I get it. Losing a battle isn't okay, even if it's funny?"
"No."
I just don't get that game. I wouldn't mind seeing one of those hatchets, though.
-- SJ
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Mundania 29
Addie has been wanting me to write a blog post. Her request came in the form of hints: bringing my netbook to me while I'm sitting on the porch watching the little ones play on the driveway; opening up a new blog box and typing in the title; suggesting that it's been a long time since I've written a post called "Kid Bits."
She's been so anxious for me to write because she wants to read about their recent artistry with chalk. She, Mollie, and Stuart mixed sidewalk chalk with water to "make cosmetics." Mollie assigned herself the role of "maker" and designated Stuart the "mixer." Addie was the only one brave enough to try the new line of makeup, though. She painted her cheeks pink, her eyelids blue, and under her eyes lime green. She looked like something out of a science fiction movie.
***
Addie's budding fashion sense also includes wanting red hair. By "red" I mean "as in stop signs." I told her that when she's older (and can pay for it), she can get her hair colored at a salon. She doesn't see why we have to go through all that trouble: there's food coloring in the cabinet, right? I finally agreed that when we color eggs next week, she can dip some of her hair into the color to see how it looks... and how easily it doesn't wash out.
***
All Daphne wears all day, every day are leotards. She's collected two or three hand-me-downs and named them: Regular Pink, Dark Pink, Light Pink. She refers to them as "she," as in, "I looked for Regular Pink and I found her in the bathroom!"
Yesterday, a box full of clothes arrived from from Nana. Among the beautiful new shirts and dresses and shorts, there were three new leotards.
Daphne is delighted with the expansion of her wardrobe.
***
For school, I assigned Addie and Stuart to write sentences with pairs of homophones (words that sound alike but have different spellings and meanings). Their schoolwork is absolutely in character. Addie wrote four sentences:
1. Sally found a pin and a pen.
2. Joe put a sail on sale.
3. "I found a 2!" "Hey, me too!"
4. The wind blew under a blue sky.
Stuart wrote one sentence, in all caps, no spaces between his words because he was thinking too fast:
A pale maid had a pail on a horse that was hoarse and they saw a farmer whose genes forbade him to wear jeans and he went with them and the horse stepped on a broken window pane which caused him much pain.
***
As Stuart posted, we've ventured into the world of Dungeons&Dragons. The basic game is much more innocuous than its reputation suggests. As a fighter, wizard, rogue, and cleric (with her pet kitty, Daphne), we've battled a few goblins and a dragon. Darren has run the two games we've played, which means he can't do much as a character, so I'm going to be the Dungeonmaster next time. My cleric is pretty useless in battle anyway, but that's because I'm more interested in naming her, writing her background, and coming up with her religious symbols.
It probably goes without saying that the whole family is geeking out over this game.
***
Phillip says one recognizable word these days: "Da-da!" Life isn't fair.
-- SJ
She's been so anxious for me to write because she wants to read about their recent artistry with chalk. She, Mollie, and Stuart mixed sidewalk chalk with water to "make cosmetics." Mollie assigned herself the role of "maker" and designated Stuart the "mixer." Addie was the only one brave enough to try the new line of makeup, though. She painted her cheeks pink, her eyelids blue, and under her eyes lime green. She looked like something out of a science fiction movie.
***
Addie's budding fashion sense also includes wanting red hair. By "red" I mean "as in stop signs." I told her that when she's older (and can pay for it), she can get her hair colored at a salon. She doesn't see why we have to go through all that trouble: there's food coloring in the cabinet, right? I finally agreed that when we color eggs next week, she can dip some of her hair into the color to see how it looks... and how easily it doesn't wash out.
***
All Daphne wears all day, every day are leotards. She's collected two or three hand-me-downs and named them: Regular Pink, Dark Pink, Light Pink. She refers to them as "she," as in, "I looked for Regular Pink and I found her in the bathroom!"
Yesterday, a box full of clothes arrived from from Nana. Among the beautiful new shirts and dresses and shorts, there were three new leotards.
Daphne is delighted with the expansion of her wardrobe.
***
For school, I assigned Addie and Stuart to write sentences with pairs of homophones (words that sound alike but have different spellings and meanings). Their schoolwork is absolutely in character. Addie wrote four sentences:
1. Sally found a pin and a pen.
2. Joe put a sail on sale.
3. "I found a 2!" "Hey, me too!"
4. The wind blew under a blue sky.
Stuart wrote one sentence, in all caps, no spaces between his words because he was thinking too fast:
A pale maid had a pail on a horse that was hoarse and they saw a farmer whose genes forbade him to wear jeans and he went with them and the horse stepped on a broken window pane which caused him much pain.
***
As Stuart posted, we've ventured into the world of Dungeons&Dragons. The basic game is much more innocuous than its reputation suggests. As a fighter, wizard, rogue, and cleric (with her pet kitty, Daphne), we've battled a few goblins and a dragon. Darren has run the two games we've played, which means he can't do much as a character, so I'm going to be the Dungeonmaster next time. My cleric is pretty useless in battle anyway, but that's because I'm more interested in naming her, writing her background, and coming up with her religious symbols.
It probably goes without saying that the whole family is geeking out over this game.
***
Phillip says one recognizable word these days: "Da-da!" Life isn't fair.
-- SJ
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Winners!
Not, as I originally typed, "Winders."
With the assistance of my three small assistants -- who chose the random numbers without much hesitation because they wanted me to go away so they could continue watching "School House Rock" -- Keeping Up announces the following lucky commenters:
#1 Cute Little Pitcher: Liane! I hope Keith isn't too upset that he didn't win it.
#2 Music: C! Maybe TGM will like L'Angelus as much as Wee Sing, but don't count on it.
#3 Nancy Drew game: the Dozen Halls! And yes, Geni, I WILL come for sweet tea one of these days.
#4 Book: Darcy! DJ liked the Mr Norrell book; I tried it but the characters' situations were too distressing for me.
So, there you have it. Winners (or, winders, if you like), email me at exaltedwater at comcast dot net or on Facebook so we can get your prizes to you.
Thanks for celebrating with us!
-- SJ and DJ
With the assistance of my three small assistants -- who chose the random numbers without much hesitation because they wanted me to go away so they could continue watching "School House Rock" -- Keeping Up announces the following lucky commenters:
#1 Cute Little Pitcher: Liane! I hope Keith isn't too upset that he didn't win it.
#2 Music: C! Maybe TGM will like L'Angelus as much as Wee Sing, but don't count on it.
#3 Nancy Drew game: the Dozen Halls! And yes, Geni, I WILL come for sweet tea one of these days.
#4 Book: Darcy! DJ liked the Mr Norrell book; I tried it but the characters' situations were too distressing for me.
So, there you have it. Winners (or, winders, if you like), email me at exaltedwater at comcast dot net or on Facebook so we can get your prizes to you.
Thanks for celebrating with us!
-- SJ and DJ
Monday, October 25, 2010
Giveaways Not Forgotten!
I've been without a computer for the past week, hence the bleak, empty cybersilence in this sector. We'll choose our giveaway winners this week. So you've still got a chance to comment and enter. You should do so.
-- SJ
-- SJ
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Blogging (or, The Lack Thereof)
This morning I started a long, meditative post about why I've not been blogging as much lately. Three paragraphs in, I got bored with it.
So instead, here's the brisk and breezy version as to why my blogging has trickled off lately:
1. I'm *not* pregnant, so it's not like that is a contributing factor. I just thought I'd mention it sort of as a celebratory thing.
2. I've been channeling what writing energy I have into writing Pieces (as we journalists call it) that I can sell.
3. I've been researching markets that might buy my writing.
4. I hate researching markets.
5. I got my first rejection back yesterday. I'm a little discouraged, because my pool of potential markets isn't very big. The "pool" is more like a "puddle." On the other hand, the only way to become a successful writer is to submit, which involves collecting rejections, so I consider myself well begun.
6. I'm homeschooling. Now, I'm not the do-it-all homeschooling type. I read the advice articles for first-year homeschoolers that said, "Don't try to do it all!" and thought, "Okey-dokey!" In some ways, my natural low-key approach is good. We don't get keyed-up, burned-out, or overwhelmed. But this year I'm having to ratchet things up to get the kids up to speed in a couple of subjects. It's mostly going fine, except on Mondays when I am a living, breathing bundle of inadequacies.
7. I have a one-year-old.
8. Want a list of the one-year-old's current favorite activities? Standing at the kitchen sink while the water is running; pushing chairs up to the counter and eating leftovers from lunch; pushing the water dispenser on the fridge; letting himself out the front door; banging on the computer keyboard; and pushing buttons on music toys and SINGING LOUDLY. The last one isn't destructive, but it's not very tuneful, either. All of what he does is awfully cute. Lucky for him.
9. I've got three things in the planning stage: anniversary festivities, an upcoming party, and aforementioned giveaways.
10. I hate planning things.
11. When I have something to plan, I seize up and don't get anything done until the deadline sneaks up behind me and shoves me into action again.
12. I've got four articles lined up for the next year. Articles that, if I write them well, bring in money.
13. I love getting money for my writing.
14. I just finished two Nancy Drew games. Nancy Drew games are cool. They siphon off a lot of blogging (reading, praying, eating, breathing...) time. I recommend the following games:
The Secret of the Old Clock
The Secret of Shadow Ranch
The White Wolf of Icicle Creek
The Ransom of the Seven Ships
Warnings at Waverly Academy
I also recommend Universal Hint System because otherwise you'll never solve the games and will be reduced to a creature slobbering frustration and shrieking, "What do those stupid hobo symbols mean? How do you beat the coyote game? What do I do after I find the T-rex bone?"
15. Is it disturbing that I wrote more about Nancy Drew games than I did about homeschooling?
16. It's suppertime, and I made green chile quiche, and I'm hungry. So, um, the end.
-- SJ
So instead, here's the brisk and breezy version as to why my blogging has trickled off lately:
1. I'm *not* pregnant, so it's not like that is a contributing factor. I just thought I'd mention it sort of as a celebratory thing.
2. I've been channeling what writing energy I have into writing Pieces (as we journalists call it) that I can sell.
3. I've been researching markets that might buy my writing.
4. I hate researching markets.
5. I got my first rejection back yesterday. I'm a little discouraged, because my pool of potential markets isn't very big. The "pool" is more like a "puddle." On the other hand, the only way to become a successful writer is to submit, which involves collecting rejections, so I consider myself well begun.
6. I'm homeschooling. Now, I'm not the do-it-all homeschooling type. I read the advice articles for first-year homeschoolers that said, "Don't try to do it all!" and thought, "Okey-dokey!" In some ways, my natural low-key approach is good. We don't get keyed-up, burned-out, or overwhelmed. But this year I'm having to ratchet things up to get the kids up to speed in a couple of subjects. It's mostly going fine, except on Mondays when I am a living, breathing bundle of inadequacies.
7. I have a one-year-old.
8. Want a list of the one-year-old's current favorite activities? Standing at the kitchen sink while the water is running; pushing chairs up to the counter and eating leftovers from lunch; pushing the water dispenser on the fridge; letting himself out the front door; banging on the computer keyboard; and pushing buttons on music toys and SINGING LOUDLY. The last one isn't destructive, but it's not very tuneful, either. All of what he does is awfully cute. Lucky for him.
9. I've got three things in the planning stage: anniversary festivities, an upcoming party, and aforementioned giveaways.
10. I hate planning things.
11. When I have something to plan, I seize up and don't get anything done until the deadline sneaks up behind me and shoves me into action again.
12. I've got four articles lined up for the next year. Articles that, if I write them well, bring in money.
13. I love getting money for my writing.
14. I just finished two Nancy Drew games. Nancy Drew games are cool. They siphon off a lot of blogging (reading, praying, eating, breathing...) time. I recommend the following games:
The Secret of the Old Clock
The Secret of Shadow Ranch
The White Wolf of Icicle Creek
The Ransom of the Seven Ships
Warnings at Waverly Academy
I also recommend Universal Hint System because otherwise you'll never solve the games and will be reduced to a creature slobbering frustration and shrieking, "What do those stupid hobo symbols mean? How do you beat the coyote game? What do I do after I find the T-rex bone?"
15. Is it disturbing that I wrote more about Nancy Drew games than I did about homeschooling?
16. It's suppertime, and I made green chile quiche, and I'm hungry. So, um, the end.
-- SJ
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Anniversary Giveaways
Next week is our anniversary. Our tenth anniversary. Of course, y'all knew that because you've all got it marked on your calendars, but I thought I'd record it for blogging purposes.
In celebration of our tenth anniversary, we'll be hosting a giveaway. Giveaways. Plural.
So stay tuned! (A phrase whose origin is almost obsolete.)
-- SJ and DJ
In celebration of our tenth anniversary, we'll be hosting a giveaway. Giveaways. Plural.
So stay tuned! (A phrase whose origin is almost obsolete.)
-- SJ and DJ
Thursday, August 05, 2010
Kid Bits
Phillip is taking wobbly steps on his own now. He doesn't really need to walk: he's a crawling, climbing machine of destruction. Forget the Terrible Twos; Year One runs me ragged.
Today he got into the fridge, as he always does anytime anyone opens it. (He also climbed on the table, spilled water all over my BH&G magazine, let himself out the front door, pulled pie pans out of the cabinet, and inspected the garbage can, to name a few of his other activities today.) Daphne had eaten some of a bowl of pudding, then put it back in the fridge with the spoon still in it. By the time I got into the kitchen, Phillip was helping himself while Daphne exclaimed, "Phillip is learning how to like pudding!"
He isn't saying any words yet, but when his siblings pretend to fall down for his amusement, he remarks, "Oh!"
***
Stuart found a game on Addicting Games.com called Doodle God. You're given three or four different elements, like air and fire and earth and birds and whatever, and you have to combine them to make new things. Somehow I managed to create "humans." Then discovered accidentally that when you click it twice, you get "sex." The icon shows two small figures in a compromising position. Of course Addie and Stuart were looking over my shoulder, and of course I couldn't hide it quickly enough. "Oh, sex," Addie said. "Yay! Babies!"
Um. Yes! SexEd going along just fine in this household, thanks very much! (I hold it against the game, by the way, that babies do not seem to result no matter now many times you click the humans. Addie apparently has a better grasp of the natural order of things than the doodle god does.)
***
Daphne loves playing on Starfall.com. She likes to find the parts that talk about composers and their music. She recognizes a couple of Beethoven's themes from Baby Einstein videos, and now can identify them by symphony because Starfall tells her the name and plays a clip. It's pretty funny to hear her three-year-old voice explaining that "this is Beethoven's fourth symphony! And here is Beethoven's fifth symphony! I used to think it was scary but now I like it."
So there you have it.
-- SJ
Today he got into the fridge, as he always does anytime anyone opens it. (He also climbed on the table, spilled water all over my BH&G magazine, let himself out the front door, pulled pie pans out of the cabinet, and inspected the garbage can, to name a few of his other activities today.) Daphne had eaten some of a bowl of pudding, then put it back in the fridge with the spoon still in it. By the time I got into the kitchen, Phillip was helping himself while Daphne exclaimed, "Phillip is learning how to like pudding!"
He isn't saying any words yet, but when his siblings pretend to fall down for his amusement, he remarks, "Oh!"
***
Stuart found a game on Addicting Games.com called Doodle God. You're given three or four different elements, like air and fire and earth and birds and whatever, and you have to combine them to make new things. Somehow I managed to create "humans." Then discovered accidentally that when you click it twice, you get "sex." The icon shows two small figures in a compromising position. Of course Addie and Stuart were looking over my shoulder, and of course I couldn't hide it quickly enough. "Oh, sex," Addie said. "Yay! Babies!"
Um. Yes! SexEd going along just fine in this household, thanks very much! (I hold it against the game, by the way, that babies do not seem to result no matter now many times you click the humans. Addie apparently has a better grasp of the natural order of things than the doodle god does.)
***
Daphne loves playing on Starfall.com. She likes to find the parts that talk about composers and their music. She recognizes a couple of Beethoven's themes from Baby Einstein videos, and now can identify them by symphony because Starfall tells her the name and plays a clip. It's pretty funny to hear her three-year-old voice explaining that "this is Beethoven's fourth symphony! And here is Beethoven's fifth symphony! I used to think it was scary but now I like it."
So there you have it.
-- SJ
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Pip Plays Ball
The title says it all. Phillip can amuse himself for hours (read: fifteen minutes) with a ball and open spaces. This is mostly for the grandparents and other family, as usual, but the rest of y'all are welcome to think it's wonderful too.
-- SJ
P.S. The out-of-focus experience bothers me, but you can hear the clickle-click of the lens as it is constantly adjusting so I guess you can't accuse the camera of not trying.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
XP in the Garden
This appeared in my newly-planted flowerbed:
And it had everything to do with ChoreWars.
I stumbled on ChoreWars from a Facebook friend's comment. I was caught by the tagline: "Finally, you can claim experience points for housework!" Then I noticed the Quest Party with cleaning tools, and knew that this site was made for the Joneses.
The concept is simple enough: you write up everyday chores as "adventures," assigning each one experience points (XP) and gold pieces. You can also throw in treasures, monsters, and character statistics if you want to. When a party member does that chore, he or she "claims" it, earning the XP and gold points.
What you do with your points, pieces, and monsters is up to you. In our house, we have rewards for every 500, 1000, or 2000 gold pieces. Since you "level up" with each 200 XP, I'm going to create a reward for whoever reaches Level 10.
Anyway, what does all this geekiness have to do with empty raisin and Nerds boxes on twigs?
Anyone who has followed this blog will be absolutely unsurprised to find out that ChoreWars is the ultimate motivation for Stuart. All I have to say is, "You'll get XP for this," and he transforms in to the Industrious Whirlwind of Cleaning (which sounds like something from Titan Quest).
A few days ago, I created an Adventure called "Making the Garden Pretty." Stuart was off playing with his friend Evan, but I invited Addie and Daphne to help me weed the garden and plant our new flowers. We were finished by the time Stuart came home. As soon as he saw all the work we did, he was visibly upset. "I didn't know you were going to be doing that adventure."
Very shortly, he came inside and said, "Mama, I helped make the garden pretty. Can I get XP for it?"
As I stared at the boxes and sticks, he explained, "I didn't have any real flowers, so I made some. Doesn't it kind of look like flowers in tiny flowerpots? Can I get XP for that?"
That, folks, is motivation. No, he didn't get XP for it. Yes, it's still in my garden.
-- SJ
P.S. Stuart's character is currently the highest-ranking member of the Questing Party.
P.P.S. As I was finishing this post, Stuart appeared and announced, "I brushed my teeth. Can you please claim that for me?" Well yeah I award XP for brushing teeth.
And it had everything to do with ChoreWars.
I stumbled on ChoreWars from a Facebook friend's comment. I was caught by the tagline: "Finally, you can claim experience points for housework!" Then I noticed the Quest Party with cleaning tools, and knew that this site was made for the Joneses.
The concept is simple enough: you write up everyday chores as "adventures," assigning each one experience points (XP) and gold pieces. You can also throw in treasures, monsters, and character statistics if you want to. When a party member does that chore, he or she "claims" it, earning the XP and gold points.
What you do with your points, pieces, and monsters is up to you. In our house, we have rewards for every 500, 1000, or 2000 gold pieces. Since you "level up" with each 200 XP, I'm going to create a reward for whoever reaches Level 10.
Anyway, what does all this geekiness have to do with empty raisin and Nerds boxes on twigs?
Anyone who has followed this blog will be absolutely unsurprised to find out that ChoreWars is the ultimate motivation for Stuart. All I have to say is, "You'll get XP for this," and he transforms in to the Industrious Whirlwind of Cleaning (which sounds like something from Titan Quest).
A few days ago, I created an Adventure called "Making the Garden Pretty." Stuart was off playing with his friend Evan, but I invited Addie and Daphne to help me weed the garden and plant our new flowers. We were finished by the time Stuart came home. As soon as he saw all the work we did, he was visibly upset. "I didn't know you were going to be doing that adventure."
Very shortly, he came inside and said, "Mama, I helped make the garden pretty. Can I get XP for it?"
As I stared at the boxes and sticks, he explained, "I didn't have any real flowers, so I made some. Doesn't it kind of look like flowers in tiny flowerpots? Can I get XP for that?"
That, folks, is motivation. No, he didn't get XP for it. Yes, it's still in my garden.
-- SJ
P.S. Stuart's character is currently the highest-ranking member of the Questing Party.
P.P.S. As I was finishing this post, Stuart appeared and announced, "I brushed my teeth. Can you please claim that for me?" Well yeah I award XP for brushing teeth.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Mundania 26
* I've lost count of these Mundanias and am not sure whether this is actually 26 or not. Probably the fate of the world will remain unchanged.
* Yesterday evening, Darren came home and let me retreat to the bedroom for a while. I ate supper there, and then decided to lie down. An hour and a half later I woke up. Then I slept till 9 this morning.
* I'm thinking that five months of twice-a-night feedings caught up with me this weekend.
* Smoothies always disappoint me: they look appetizing, but they always taste thin or too tart. Well, we finally found a smoothie recipe that the whole family likes. It has bananas, berries, pineapple, milk... and sweetened condensed milk. Yum.
* Darren borrowed a card game from his co-worker, Dave, called "Mag Blast." The concept is simple enough that Stuart and Addie can both play, but gameplay is varied enough that Darren and I can play against each other. Since it involves spaceships attacking each other, the rules state that you must make sound effects when playing a card. The rules don't state that if you play all your cards in one turn, you get a kiss, but we do that too.
* Stuart is a very good gameplayer. It helps that he has an overlarge serving of Game Luck, which lets him get good numbers and good cards. (My friend Debra has Game Luck also, and by the time I was sixteen I stopped playing card games with her.) Whenever he makes a good play, he giggles. He seems well on his way to developing a maniacal laugh.
* Another synesthesia thing I remembered last night when Daphne asked me how to make a 5. When I was teaching Stuart, I was pregnant with Daphne. It made such sense to tell him, "Make a straight line across, a straight line down, and then a round baby tummy like Mama's!" But I couldn't bring myself to teach him that 5 was pregnant because 5 is, after all, male.
-- SJ
* Yesterday evening, Darren came home and let me retreat to the bedroom for a while. I ate supper there, and then decided to lie down. An hour and a half later I woke up. Then I slept till 9 this morning.
* I'm thinking that five months of twice-a-night feedings caught up with me this weekend.
* Smoothies always disappoint me: they look appetizing, but they always taste thin or too tart. Well, we finally found a smoothie recipe that the whole family likes. It has bananas, berries, pineapple, milk... and sweetened condensed milk. Yum.
* Darren borrowed a card game from his co-worker, Dave, called "Mag Blast." The concept is simple enough that Stuart and Addie can both play, but gameplay is varied enough that Darren and I can play against each other. Since it involves spaceships attacking each other, the rules state that you must make sound effects when playing a card. The rules don't state that if you play all your cards in one turn, you get a kiss, but we do that too.
* Stuart is a very good gameplayer. It helps that he has an overlarge serving of Game Luck, which lets him get good numbers and good cards. (My friend Debra has Game Luck also, and by the time I was sixteen I stopped playing card games with her.) Whenever he makes a good play, he giggles. He seems well on his way to developing a maniacal laugh.
* Another synesthesia thing I remembered last night when Daphne asked me how to make a 5. When I was teaching Stuart, I was pregnant with Daphne. It made such sense to tell him, "Make a straight line across, a straight line down, and then a round baby tummy like Mama's!" But I couldn't bring myself to teach him that 5 was pregnant because 5 is, after all, male.
-- SJ
Friday, August 08, 2008
JAMBOG Awards Coming To You
Well, to six of you.
It's taken a while (no surprise), but the six Participant Awards for JAMBOG are ready to go. Which one will be yours?
Queen of Carrots, Amy Sita, Wendy, Charlessa, Zana, and Joanna... please send your mailing address to the comcast address over to the left (above the picture). Your awards will go in the mail as soon as I'm certain I know where to send them!
-- SJ
It's taken a while (no surprise), but the six Participant Awards for JAMBOG are ready to go. Which one will be yours?
Queen of Carrots, Amy Sita, Wendy, Charlessa, Zana, and Joanna... please send your mailing address to the comcast address over to the left (above the picture). Your awards will go in the mail as soon as I'm certain I know where to send them!
-- SJ
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Nancy *cool* Drew
(I already had this post written and ready to transfer to the computer when my niece's TQ comment gave me the perfect cue. Thanks, Katie.)
So if you live in this household, and you play the computer, but it's not Titan Quest, what do you play?
What you do is play way more interesting games that actually have a story, a point, and good voice actors: the Nancy Drew games. (Also no combat.)
It sounds cheesy to say that I love the ND games, but I do. Although I never was an ardent Nancy fan growing up, I read my share of the books. Obviously the makers of the games did, too: Nancy is perky, resourceful, smart, and nice without being cloying. This is in contrast to the Nancy Drew movie that just came out, where the filmmakers couldn't conceive of a modern-day Nancy taken seriously, so they made her a joke to everyone else in the movie. Plus they got rid of Bess and George within the first fifteen minutes, and turned Ned and Carson Drew into, respectively, an idiot and a jerk. Not that I felt betrayed or anything. Not that I actually finished the movie or anything.
But back to the games. Darren hates them. They're full of puzzles to solve, or clues to uncover, and lots of dialogue. (Bess, George, and Ned usually show up by phone, as do Frank and Joe Hardy in some games.) The games also rely heavily on sequence: before you do this, you have to find that; but before you find that, you have to solve this; but before you solve this, you have to complete that. I should find this type of game maddening -- after all, that's my whole life with young kids -- but instead I'm intrigued (to use a good Nancy word).
Not, mind you, that I solve these games all on my own. No, my best friend during my Nancy sessions is the Universal Hint System. Instead of a walkthrough with spoilers, UHS just gives you a hint at a time to get you unstuck. Without UHS, I'd still be trying to solve my first game instead of finishing my seventh.
I do try to limit the time I spend on it. But I and my neighbor Nina (who's also a puzzle-game fan) agreed that if there's ever a Nancy Drew for the new Wii they just bought, then she and I will pretty much cease to exist in the real world.
-- SJ
So if you live in this household, and you play the computer, but it's not Titan Quest, what do you play?
What you do is play way more interesting games that actually have a story, a point, and good voice actors: the Nancy Drew games. (Also no combat.)
It sounds cheesy to say that I love the ND games, but I do. Although I never was an ardent Nancy fan growing up, I read my share of the books. Obviously the makers of the games did, too: Nancy is perky, resourceful, smart, and nice without being cloying. This is in contrast to the Nancy Drew movie that just came out, where the filmmakers couldn't conceive of a modern-day Nancy taken seriously, so they made her a joke to everyone else in the movie. Plus they got rid of Bess and George within the first fifteen minutes, and turned Ned and Carson Drew into, respectively, an idiot and a jerk. Not that I felt betrayed or anything. Not that I actually finished the movie or anything.
But back to the games. Darren hates them. They're full of puzzles to solve, or clues to uncover, and lots of dialogue. (Bess, George, and Ned usually show up by phone, as do Frank and Joe Hardy in some games.) The games also rely heavily on sequence: before you do this, you have to find that; but before you find that, you have to solve this; but before you solve this, you have to complete that. I should find this type of game maddening -- after all, that's my whole life with young kids -- but instead I'm intrigued (to use a good Nancy word).
Not, mind you, that I solve these games all on my own. No, my best friend during my Nancy sessions is the Universal Hint System. Instead of a walkthrough with spoilers, UHS just gives you a hint at a time to get you unstuck. Without UHS, I'd still be trying to solve my first game instead of finishing my seventh.
I do try to limit the time I spend on it. But I and my neighbor Nina (who's also a puzzle-game fan) agreed that if there's ever a Nancy Drew for the new Wii they just bought, then she and I will pretty much cease to exist in the real world.
-- SJ
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Titan *yawn* Quest
Not to criticize something that my husband enjoys, but Titan Quest is pretty much the dullest game ever created.
Here's how you play Titan Quest. You choose your character and name him or her. That's the fun part, and it all goes downhill from there. (The male characters measure about fifty-five inches around the chest. So do the female characters, for that matter.) Your character sets off on a quest. He talks to villagers. He fights enemies. He collects treasures. He sells treasures. He talks to villagers. He fights enemies. He collects treasures. He sells treasures. He talks to villagers. He fights enemies. Then, to make things even more exciting, he fights BIGGER enemies, and gets BIGGER treasures. This goes on until he gets to the tip-top boss of all boss characters, Typhon. He defeats Typhon. Hoo-ray!
At which point he unlocks "Epic Mode." You know what happens then? He STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. The enemies are stronger, he's stronger, the treasures are stronger. But it's the SAME DARN GAME.
The only thing remotely interesting are the names of the treasures, which score points for novelty. Just tonight Darren added to his inventory:
The Electrified Totemic Staff of Acuity
Charged Jewel Staff of Strength
Grim Raider Bow
Enfeebling Hatchet of Feasting
"Oh, come on," I say, looking over his shoulder as the character runs through the countryside laying waste to satyrs and carrion crows. "Can't you go explore those ruins over there?"
"You don't explore in this game."
Or, "Hey, weren't you in this labyrinth the last time I looked?"
"No, that was the labyrinth in Egypt. This is in Knossos."
Today I had an inspiration. "You know what would make that game more fun? If you picked up a magical trick staff that when you waved it, it turned into a rubber chicken."
I was the only one who laughed. After a moment, I suggested, "Or a magical staff that turns the Minotaur into a rubber chicken."
"Now that would be okay," Darren said.
"Oh, I get it. Losing a battle isn't okay, even if it's funny?"
"No."
I just don't get that game. I wouldn't mind seeing one of those hatchets, though.
Here's how you play Titan Quest. You choose your character and name him or her. That's the fun part, and it all goes downhill from there. (The male characters measure about fifty-five inches around the chest. So do the female characters, for that matter.) Your character sets off on a quest. He talks to villagers. He fights enemies. He collects treasures. He sells treasures. He talks to villagers. He fights enemies. He collects treasures. He sells treasures. He talks to villagers. He fights enemies. Then, to make things even more exciting, he fights BIGGER enemies, and gets BIGGER treasures. This goes on until he gets to the tip-top boss of all boss characters, Typhon. He defeats Typhon. Hoo-ray!
At which point he unlocks "Epic Mode." You know what happens then? He STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. The enemies are stronger, he's stronger, the treasures are stronger. But it's the SAME DARN GAME.
The only thing remotely interesting are the names of the treasures, which score points for novelty. Just tonight Darren added to his inventory:
The Electrified Totemic Staff of Acuity
Charged Jewel Staff of Strength
Grim Raider Bow
Enfeebling Hatchet of Feasting
"Oh, come on," I say, looking over his shoulder as the character runs through the countryside laying waste to satyrs and carrion crows. "Can't you go explore those ruins over there?"
"You don't explore in this game."
Or, "Hey, weren't you in this labyrinth the last time I looked?"
"No, that was the labyrinth in Egypt. This is in Knossos."
Today I had an inspiration. "You know what would make that game more fun? If you picked up a magical trick staff that when you waved it, it turned into a rubber chicken."
I was the only one who laughed. After a moment, I suggested, "Or a magical staff that turns the Minotaur into a rubber chicken."
"Now that would be okay," Darren said.
"Oh, I get it. Losing a battle isn't okay, even if it's funny?"
"No."
I just don't get that game. I wouldn't mind seeing one of those hatchets, though.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
JAMBOG entries
Excellent idea, Kelly, to have readers vote on the best entry. I'd thought of it in passing before, and it just sounds like more fun. Plus less work for us, which I'm always in the market for. ("I love work. It fascinates me. I can sit and watch it for hours.")
Below are links to each of the entries, in no particular order. Read each one, and then vote in the poll to the left. Which one did you like the best? Feel free to comment here on what you most enjoyed. Feel free to do so anonymously if you don't want to risk straining a friendship. :)
On that note, a reminder: Opinions are valuable. Tact increases the value thereof. Please make your opinions priceless.
Meanwhile, Darren and I will be awarding more specialized prizes, to be announced at least by next week. Honest.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
Below are links to each of the entries, in no particular order. Read each one, and then vote in the poll to the left. Which one did you like the best? Feel free to comment here on what you most enjoyed. Feel free to do so anonymously if you don't want to risk straining a friendship. :)
On that note, a reminder: Opinions are valuable. Tact increases the value thereof. Please make your opinions priceless.
Meanwhile, Darren and I will be awarding more specialized prizes, to be announced at least by next week. Honest.
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
JAMBOG: A Word From Our Judges
In keeping with the traditions of the Games, we are officially announcing that... We're not going to get to the judging this week.
As you recall, last year the awards were delayed because Daphne was in the hospital with RSV. This year, the delay is because California is wreaking havoc with homeschooling freedoms. Darren would be shut up in the office with the rest of the litigation department, frantically preparing a brief... except that this week, of all weeks, he's on jury duty.
It might even be after Easter before we can settle down and do a proper judging. My cursory skim-overs assure me that the entries are great, and we want to be able to devote all our attention to them.
In not-very-related news, I did finish The Ria Story. Once I get time to catch my breath (see above), I've got a lot of blogging to catch up on.
-- SJ
As you recall, last year the awards were delayed because Daphne was in the hospital with RSV. This year, the delay is because California is wreaking havoc with homeschooling freedoms. Darren would be shut up in the office with the rest of the litigation department, frantically preparing a brief... except that this week, of all weeks, he's on jury duty.
It might even be after Easter before we can settle down and do a proper judging. My cursory skim-overs assure me that the entries are great, and we want to be able to devote all our attention to them.
In not-very-related news, I did finish The Ria Story. Once I get time to catch my breath (see above), I've got a lot of blogging to catch up on.
-- SJ
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
JAMBOG - Phase 2
It would have been enough fun just seeing what everyone "found" from the list. But wait, there's more!
Welcome to Phase Two!
Below are three scenarios. Your mission: Choose one of the scenarios. Then solve the crisis... using the four items you chose.
Judging Criteria
* You don't have to write it up in story form. (In fact, considering that I'm spending every evening writing cobbled-together scenes and hasty dialogue, I don't really WANT to read anything in story form right now.) Bullet points work just fine. The point here isn't your literary skill, but your, shall we say, MacGyver qualities.
* You don't have to use every item to foil the bad guys. (Obviously, more points if you do.)
* You don't have to use JUST those items. (The fewer extra items, the better.)
* You have to use the specific items you chose.
* Winners announced in a week.
* You do know who MacGyver is, right?
Grand Prize Winner... gets the grand prize. :) Smaller tokens of appreciation go out for creativity and entertainment.
Here are the scenarios.
Scenario #1: The president has just been kidnapped by terrorists. You, as the special agent, are transported to their stronghold. How do you rescue the president?
Scenario #2: You're at a kids' soccer game and stay late to help pack everything up. After you've seen absolutely everyone off, you get in your vehicle and turn the key. Nothing happens. How do you get home?
Scenario #3: You're imprisoned in an old castle dungeon. Guards stand outside your cell. A moat surrounds the castle. How do you escape?
Joanna, Rose, Amy, Linds, C, Zana, QoC, and Wendy... Get cracking!
Welcome to Phase Two!
Below are three scenarios. Your mission: Choose one of the scenarios. Then solve the crisis... using the four items you chose.
Judging Criteria
* You don't have to write it up in story form. (In fact, considering that I'm spending every evening writing cobbled-together scenes and hasty dialogue, I don't really WANT to read anything in story form right now.) Bullet points work just fine. The point here isn't your literary skill, but your, shall we say, MacGyver qualities.
* You don't have to use every item to foil the bad guys. (Obviously, more points if you do.)
* You don't have to use JUST those items. (The fewer extra items, the better.)
* You have to use the specific items you chose.
* Winners announced in a week.
* You do know who MacGyver is, right?
Grand Prize Winner... gets the grand prize. :) Smaller tokens of appreciation go out for creativity and entertainment.
Here are the scenarios.
Scenario #1: The president has just been kidnapped by terrorists. You, as the special agent, are transported to their stronghold. How do you rescue the president?
Scenario #2: You're at a kids' soccer game and stay late to help pack everything up. After you've seen absolutely everyone off, you get in your vehicle and turn the key. Nothing happens. How do you get home?
Scenario #3: You're imprisoned in an old castle dungeon. Guards stand outside your cell. A moat surrounds the castle. How do you escape?
Joanna, Rose, Amy, Linds, C, Zana, QoC, and Wendy... Get cracking!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
JAMBOG
It's time again for the Joneses' Annual Midwinter Blues Online Games! (Also known, as of this sentence, as JAMBOG.)
This year's game is played in two phases. Let me pull out my file here where I put the paper... Here we go!
Phase one: Send us money.
Phase two: Come here to read all about our cool vacation to Europe.
Oh, wait. Wrong file. That was from the "Really Gullible Friends" file. Let me try again.
JAMBOG 2008
Phase One: Below is a list of fifteen items. Your job is to collect four of them -- only four, that's all you have to do. Find a picture or description of each item somewhere online, and post the link on your blog. When you've found all your items, leave a link to your blog in our comments section. (If you don't have a blog, you can put your "item links" in our comment section.)
You must be specific. For instance, you can't link to Amazon.com and say you've found "Book." You have to link to one specific book. Which one, of course, is entirely up to you.
Phase One will end in one week. At that point, we'll announce Phase Two.
As before, prizes are involved! One Grand Prize winner (think along the lines of gift cards, not 2008 Mercedes), and smaller prizes for creativity, speed, and making us laugh.
Here are your items:
a Book
a Tool
a Chair
a Light
a Food
a Drink
a Toy
a Picture
a Mode of Transportation
Something Yellow
Something Old
Money
Something Electronic
Something Cold
Curtains
Let JAMBOG begin!
This year's game is played in two phases. Let me pull out my file here where I put the paper... Here we go!
Phase one: Send us money.
Phase two: Come here to read all about our cool vacation to Europe.
Oh, wait. Wrong file. That was from the "Really Gullible Friends" file. Let me try again.
JAMBOG 2008
Phase One: Below is a list of fifteen items. Your job is to collect four of them -- only four, that's all you have to do. Find a picture or description of each item somewhere online, and post the link on your blog. When you've found all your items, leave a link to your blog in our comments section. (If you don't have a blog, you can put your "item links" in our comment section.)
You must be specific. For instance, you can't link to Amazon.com and say you've found "Book." You have to link to one specific book. Which one, of course, is entirely up to you.
Phase One will end in one week. At that point, we'll announce Phase Two.
As before, prizes are involved! One Grand Prize winner (think along the lines of gift cards, not 2008 Mercedes), and smaller prizes for creativity, speed, and making us laugh.
Here are your items:
a Book
a Tool
a Chair
a Light
a Food
a Drink
a Toy
a Picture
a Mode of Transportation
Something Yellow
Something Old
Money
Something Electronic
Something Cold
Curtains
Let JAMBOG begin!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Watch This Space...
...for our second annual Midwinter Blues Online Game.
It probably won't be the same scavenger hunt as last year. Right now what I'm thinking is that it will be a all-out, high-energy race to "Send donations to Sara so she can hire a babysitter, a maid, and a cook." Not that anybody here is going midwinter stir-crazy or anything.
Official announcement soon!
-- SJ
It probably won't be the same scavenger hunt as last year. Right now what I'm thinking is that it will be a all-out, high-energy race to "Send donations to Sara so she can hire a babysitter, a maid, and a cook." Not that anybody here is going midwinter stir-crazy or anything.
Official announcement soon!
-- SJ
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
