- 8:53 AM, Saturday,
               September 23rd, 2017:
 
               
               -  
 
               
               - Yes nearly 2 weeks
               have passed. I'm in healing mode after getting the
               record and truth be told - I'm just playing a bunch of
               video games with my kids because holy shit I can play
               video games with my kids.
               HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
 
               
               -  
 
               
               - I'll be honest, I
               owe it all to Nintendo's iPad/iPhone game: Mario Run.
               Cam hadn't even turned 3 yet, but because of the
               simple controls, he was able to play. And play really
               well. It lead to some YouTube rabbit holes for him
               where he just watched gameplay videos. I noticed he
               could scan the screen and understand multiple things
               happening at once.  Games are no longer just
               eye-hand coordination, you have to have the mental
               ability to multi-task incoming information that is
               faster than ever. Now that I've gotten back into
               gaming with the Switch? I see that my skills in
               that area have fallen off. I mean, I can still
               beat the shit out of everyone in the house and even
               playing Mario Kart online - I'm kind of a badass...
               but whew. Rayman is giving me a run for my money. And
               since Cam is already a music fiend - the fact that
               several of the Rayman levels are timed to music? That
               creates this awesome video...
 
               
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               -  
 
               
               - Cam is absolutely
               MARIO CRAZY so this game is to hold is over until
               Mario's new game comes out, but since you can dress
               Rayman up in a Mario costume? It's close enough.
               LMAO.
 
               
               -  
 
               
               - What's weird for
               me however, is that it's even time for this. I
               literally put my games away when I got the
               CBS gig in 2006. Kinda played the music/rockband
               stuff - but those aren't really games. Had the wii for
               a heartbeat and gave it away... I just didn't
               have time and had too much to accompish.
               I figured someday when I have kids there
               will be a new Nintendo and it'll be fun through their
               eyes. And, well, it really is 2017. That much time has
               indeed passed. And he gets it! Like, he really
               understands what's going on - can play a bit - and
               we're having a LOT of fun. Like "really hard to want
               to do anything else EVER AGAIN" kind of fun.
               There are moments Cam is so happy he turns to me and
               kisses me and then keeps watching. I know parents
               freak out about screen time with kids but it really
               does depend on how they're processing it. What they're
               doing. I had the same arguments with my mom when
               I was a kid and gaming taught me everything in
               the world about accomplishing your goals, preparing
               yourself for failing... it's a massive life lesson
               every time you play. We're obviously not playing the
               violent stuff (nor do I think he'd have any
               interest), so it's pretty much about balance. The kid
               goes to school every day, is always running around
               doing shit - playing videogames after dinner makes him
               happier than I've ever seen him. Almost to the point
               that if I ever see Mario I might punch him in the
               face. I mean, holy shit this kid talks about
               Mario 24-7...
 
               
               -  
 
               
               - ...but I love
               him. And I love our bond. :-)
 
               
               -  
 
               
               - Adam
 
             
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