game girl advance: games = play? games = work.

games = play? games = work.

I've been stricken with some kind of weird illness that has me lethargic. I spent most of last week plugged into an IV machine, having anti-viral meds pushed into me. This week I'm taking pills five times a day. I've been a captive audience for hours at a time, stuck on my couch. But I seldom pick up a controller.

One errand a day has me tired, my normal productive self is mostly motivated to return to low-impact sitting. Once safely returned to my couch, I stare my game machines in the face. They dare me to pick up the controllers, to re-enter Knights of the Old Republic and practice being evil in the midst of familiar mythology. Or Tony Hawk: Underground - I can build up my top-hatted, pantless custom skater into a worthy pro who might finally out-trick my PhD candidate roommate.

But none of this appeals to me. I've got hours and days of relaxing - self-decreed freelancer's time off, during which time I'm supposed to recover from adult chicken pox. And I'm not eager to play games.

This astounded me, as I often feel like life is too sweet and too short, presenting too little time in which to explore virtual worlds. But now I'm sick, and I'm tired, and I don't want to play games because when I'm playing games I have to make decisions. And I can't handle too much recreational decision-making right now.

Except maybe a little bit of Final Fantasy Tactics for the Game Boy Advance. But really, I can't handle too much. Really, not too much. Maybe just a little.

Posted by justin at November 03, 2003 05:24 PM

sorry to hear that you're sick, I was sick a little while ago and I played a lot of final fantasy tactics...now playing tactics reminds me of being sick, so I play less, I hope the same thing doesn't happen to you. but just in case, you might want to consider playing a game you don't like ;-)

Posted by: Dawud on November 3, 2003 07:00 PM

Sounds like what you need is a video game that plays you. ...I'm pretty sure that would be a movie, though.

Hope you feel better. I've been sick myself lately and anytime I get a full day of feeling accomplished I feel like I just scaled a mountain.

Posted by: Draigon on November 3, 2003 07:26 PM

That's interesting that you mention that, Dawud. When Final Fantasy X first came out, all I did was play it over Christmas and my break from school, until my immune system somehow broke down and I got the flu. I also was constantly listening to the same techno/J-pop album over and over during that time period, so even a few months after that I still felt nauseous when I loaded up that album or sat down for some FFX. With all the great releases planned for the coming months, I better not get sick again like that!

Posted by: Patrick on November 3, 2003 07:53 PM

I'm home sick as well today (granted, I'm in better shape than you, but still), and I didn't dare pick up a game controller.

I've learned from experience that playing games, if you're not healthy, is quite the work-out. I don't know if it comes from mental strain, or just the idea that your body can't do much more than just sit perfectly still, but just the act of holding your arms up and working your thumbs is enough to bring back the fever in most cases.

Posted by: Bowler on November 3, 2003 09:07 PM