Tuesday, March 14, 2006

I Need a New Travel Agency

Next week I'm taking vacation time. I've already informed both my jobs, put in the required forms, and wrapped up all the loose ends. I'm ready for my week off. I'm ready to explore the countryside, visit exotic locales, meet fascinating new people, and embark on fantastic journeys. The place I've chosen to visit on my vacation in Cyrodiil, the Imperial Provence of Tamriel. There's only one slight problem: It doesn't exist.



Well, not in the real world, anyway... you see, I've taken time off to play a computer game. "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion" hits store shelves on March 21st, and I plan on being there first thing. Now before you scrunch your collective eyebrows and judge me, let me explain myself.
This is my hobby. This is what I do in my spare time. Some people go fishing, some people travel, some people play sports. I like to marvel at wonderful 3D graphics, pit myself against cunning AI enemies, and team up with friends to outwit the opposition. Yes, today's society views computer gaming somewhere between D&D gaming and being a trekkie, especially at my age, but the truth is, I enjoy it. Sure, I'd love to travel the world, meet 'actual' fascinating people, and go off on real-life adventures, but that costs considerably more money than my $50 game. $50, mind you, that gives me an average of 20-30 hours of enjoyment, compared to say, a movie which is $10 for +/- 2 hours of questionable enjoyment.



So, yes, I took off to play a computer game. Why a whole week?? Why not just a day or two? Well, simply put, this is a very unique game. It's the sequel to Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind, which in my book is one of the all-time greatest RPG's of all time. It's completely open-ended, which means that you have total freedom to go exploring throughout the world without being restricted by a linear storyline. I've been anticipating this game since it's announcement back in 2004, and once I have it, I know myself well enough to know that I'd be way too preoccupied to actually get any work done, and the hour or so I'd manage to squeeze in after work every night would only serve to frustrate me. So when you think about it, I'm actually being a RESPONSIBLE adult by taking off! At least, that's how I'M rationalizing it.

Besides, I do plan on doing other things during my time off… I plan on getting through a ton of DVD's that I have yet to watch, like the Matrix Trilogy with it's 10 discs of bonus materials, and possibly start my first season of Oz which I've had since Christmas. I'd also like to throw some things up on eBay, to contribute to my "Get Paul Out Of Debt" fund. And if I'm lucky, I might even get a blog or two written and posted. So, you see, it's not all fun and games.

Mostly, yes, but not all.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

"I'm actually being a RESPONSIBLE adult by taking off! At least, that's how I'M rationalizing it." Yeh, whatever helps you sleep at night there buddy. ;-)

I'll be irresponsible and stay up all night playing and then call in sick. The only thing missing is it being online. =(

Steve said...

Video games are major cool! Have you ever heard of this one called Pac Man? It's this guy...he eats the dots...it's just...wow. Incredible.

Hey, I have some news on that front: I was getting ready to do some vinyl-to-digital recording two weekends ago, including your "Pac Man Fever" LP, and what did I find? I found that my turntable is BROKEN! It's just not working right. Dude, this SUCKS. I now, in 2006, have to go out and buy myself a turntable. That wouldn't be so bad if I was one of those dance music DJs—but you know well that me and Joe B. are the absolute kings of the anti-electonica movement. But I still have too much cool vinyl that hasn't been digitized—and there's too much great vinyl never released on CD—for me to go through the rest of my life without a turntable,

Dang.

So, I will get you your "Pac Man Fever" album still. But there have been more set backs. If I had recorded it when I said I would, everything would probably still be fine. I think the turtable seized up, mechanically, from a lack of use.

Toni said...

Blogger ate my comment.

I had left a witty and silly comment yesterday, and while I told it to post, it appears it never did. Since I can't remember what I said, given that I am in a fog from lack of slep and spending three days in the company of the heads of the business, this will have to serve in its place. Sorry.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled blogging.

Yllek said...

When I first read this I was think, "Oh! I can pick on Paul about it!" But then, I realized, that I can't.

Because, I would do the exact same thing. And, half of the people I know on campus would do the exact same thing.

...

Paul G. said...

(((Dude, this SUCKS. I now, in 2006, have to go out and buy myself a turntable. )))

Yes, but you see Steve, that's my point..... That is your hobby, so it's perfectly acceptable for you to spend money on a brand new piece of antiquated equipment, just like going out and buying a PC just for gaming is necessary to support MY hobby. OK, so I may go a little overboard, getting an Alienware system with Dolby 5.1 surround sound speakers and looking into a 32" Samsung HDTV for a monitor, but DAMMIT, it's not like I don't USE the stuff..... =)

Paul G. said...

((( Yeh, whatever helps you sleep at night there buddy. ;-))))

Dude, go buy your memory and new video card, THEN tell me you won't be thinking about Havok physics, Radiant AI and HDR lighting all day.... =)

Anonymous said...

haha, I truly enjoyed this!
Found you on the fallout 3 forum, and yeah, I did the same thing- but with GTA IV. Do regret it now, since it wasnt that good. Will do it again, with Fallout 3, and I will not be honest with my Boss. He's a stubborn Scotsman, and he woudlnt understand ^^