Say again?
I'm sorry, what's that last thing you said? You didn't have all my attention, because I was playing:
I made the purchase yesterday, and I intend to play gobs and gobs of it over the next several days. The effects of this annual purchase typically do not wear off for several months. Some of you understand (high five, Jon!). Others, just know that playing Madden is like injecting a shot of happiness directly in my veins. And the cost of decreased hygiene and damaged social skills is totally worth it to me.
In an effort to head off any potential questions or concerns from the blog community, please refer to the list of questions and answers below:
Does this mean you won't be blogging or commenting at all over the next few days?
There's not enough computer time per day for me to blog AND play Madden. And don't ask me to choose unless you're prepared to hear the answer. I'll blog when my thumb needs a break, and on lunch breaks at work.
Your Blogger profile says you're 28. Shouldn't you have kicked the video game habit like 10 years ago?
Shouldn't your mom have told you not to go outside with your face looking like that? (Hopefully that taught you a lesson about why you shouldn't equate maturity to age. Besides, Madden is really the only game I play. And play it I shall, in spite of your misguided notion that video games are for kids.)
How are you going to continue to be a "Father of the Year" award candidate and great husband if you're intending to play so much Madden?
Life is all about making sacrifices. Of course I will not be sacrificing time with my child or with my wife. But sleep? Showering? Shaving? Eating? All expendable.
Of course I don't want any of you to forget about me or stop coming by, so I'll leave you with part 1 of this quick story. One time, I was out skinny-dipping, and... (to be continued).
Comments
X said:
I remember playing the very first John Madden game because I had it on the Megadrive (Sega Genesis for you 'Mericans). It came on a double cartridge with the first NHL game. That Madden game was awesome and taught me the rules of 'Merican football.
I haven't played any of the new ones with the fancy graphics and such, though. You know what I'm like with new-fangled technology.
---X
Nadia said:
A post about a video game eh? *wanders away*
(From a distance)I'll be back when you start acting your age. Poo-poo head.
Tayster said:
I justify my Madden playing the same way. I make sure the kids and wife are in bed, and then I play Madden until 3 or 4 in the morning.
Who needs sleep when you have an undefeated season going on?
Sarah said:
When I read your words about video games, in my head it sounds like the teacher from the Peanuts cartoons...
"wah wah wah wah, wah wah"
The Wife said:
So it's that time of year again when I become a Madden widow? *sigh* Well, I will miss you and all I can say is that the only thing that's worse than a dropped pass is a dropped pass that leads to 4th down.
Anonymous said:
Still eating cereal your mommy wouldn't let you buy?
I just finished playing Need for Speed Underground 2 so I really can't say anything.
cadiz12 said:
ah, madden. how is it that this particular game seems to magnetially attract all of the y chromosomes in my world? personally, i have to say i've given up and will most likely be buying the brother said madden 06 for his birthday, but am very thankful that he will be several states away for most of the playing time so big john's commentary won't constantly be grating on my very last nerve.
Stephen said:
Couldn't resist commenting on this topic. To me, Madden is the best video game franchise of all time. With every new installment, the improvements always remind me of how simple the original versions were.
Remember the ambulance that came and ran over any player in its way to get to the "man down" on the field in Madden '92(ish)? And the blood leaking from a player's head after a fight in NHLPA '93(a.k.a the best game ever according to Double Down Trent (Vaughn, Vincent) in "Swingers")? Good Stuff.
jasmine said:
hello wife!!!
i love that the wife is commenting. that rules.
this football thing, on the other hand, does not.
however, my brother introduced me to the most awesomely funny video game while i was home. i gotta get the name of it from him...
Glo said:
*harumph* Fine. So we're not a priority. I'm not gonna pout or anything. *pout* *sniffle* *harumph*
Cate said:
Are we going to be seeing a missing person report on you soon, Omar?
Nadia said:
I think the Wife is great.
Omar...not so much at the moment.
mep said:
So is Madden 06 really that much better than 05? I am asking because if so I will become a "Madden widow" (so to speak) also. The wife: I feel your pain.
I said:
X - Yes, I understand your feelings on the new-fangled technology. And on an unrelated note, I did get the demo for EA sports Cricket game a few years ago. My parents were so proud.
Nadia - Think of it less as a video game and more as a happiness drug.
Tayster - High five to you also! I knew there were others who would understand.
sarah - It's not about the video game. It's about happiness. Don't you want me to be happy?
Wife - I'll see you in October! Tell the boy that daddy loves him!
jym - Yes, what's it to you?
D'oh! My ride came early. I'll be back to comment on the rest after a short trip out and several hours of Madden.
Viking054 said:
I've never been a fan of sport-inspired video games... I realize I'm a minority in that respect, at least among the male population, but I don't care. They bore me.
Jon said:
High Five, followed by a chest bump!!! Followed by a “Hey, lets go create a superstar!!! No way, that mom is too dumb… ain’t no way my superstar’s momma is going to be a truck driver with an IQ of 87!!! Next set of parents!! Watch out little superstar, TD is a bit of a stalker… I’m sure he means well, but keep an eye on him, that’s all I’m saying…” oh the greatness!!! The greatness!!! (at this point I assume most commentators are lost, but that’s ok, this is a guy thing) This game must be played in excess (which is actually a felicitous statement to any true Madden fan. There is no such thing as excessive playing when Madden is concerned.).
Allow me a metaphor that might appeal to the masses… You know when HP book 6 came out and you had to have it immediately and then you, in turn, devoured it’s contents as fast as you could? Well, Madden is a lot like that, only it doesn’t end vaguely with no sense of closure, you win the Super Bowl and then, when you think it couldn’t get any better? You get to review the draft class, draft new talent, sign free agents, work through training camp and do the whole next season and repeat to your hearts content… (sigh… gaze off at the PS2 and smile…)
Omar, you take as much time as you need. I’ll back you 100% (probably because I’ll be playing too)
Viking054: you’re dead to me. Just kidding :) … no but seriously, you’re dead to me.
Also Omar, don’t know if they make it for your platform, but Winning 11 is probably the best soccer game I’ve ever played. I thought it was better than FIFA… if you’re into that sort of thing anyway…
I said:
cadiz - It's because it's a fantastic, fantastic game. You're a good sister.
Stephen - Welcome! Madden is the best video game franchise ever. I fondly remember the ambulance, yes. I didn't own any NHL games back then though, so I have only heard about NHLPA '93.
jasmine - Yes, get the name! I'll try it out in three months when I finally do something other than play Madden.
glo - I didn't say you guys aren't a priority. I just said you're not my top priority. Chin up. Besides, remember when you ditched us for Harry Potter? (thanks jon, for reminding me of this!)
cate - Luckily, that won't be necessary. I'll save anyone the trouble of looking for me and just say I'll be in front of my computer.
nadia - Hey, this is my blog, not the wife's! But I think she's pretty great too.
mep - I'll let you know after the first weekend. But so far, it's everything I'd hoped and dreamed.
viking - I... I don't even know what to say. I'd think harder about how to put into words the way your comment affected me, but that would cut further into my Madden time.
jon - Thank you for that HP comparison, and for having my back. A buddy of mine plays Winning 11 all the time, I haven't yet. I stopped liking FIFA a few years back, because there was always one thing you could do to score 100% of the time.
And, back to my franchise I go.
Viking054 said:
Hey, it took a lot of courage to open up like that! That's the last time I confide in omarphillips.net! :p
I said:
viking - You're right, I want omarphillips.net to be a place where anyone can be free to say what they like (unless I don't like it, then I'll edit your comment and not even apologize). This was just shocking, that's all. Now that I've had some time to process it, I understand that it is your prerogative to play whatever games you like. But seriously, you don't like Madden? I don't get it.
me said:
Skinny dipping . . . what?
We've been left hanging for long enough now ;)