THE HONEYCAKES DIARIES (an Ellen Baker Blog)

Archives:  December 2004-March 2005

March 14, 2005

My Eberron Character, PIRATES Update, and Other Random Stuff

To the people who read this (and I know you are out there, despite the fact that most of you are too shy to write to me):  I am sorry I didn't make an entry for six weeks.

I don't know if I have a coherent theme for this entry, so I thought I'd just mention a bunch of things in no particular order:

Firstly, I have played PIRATES only a small amount since I got the game--probably a smaller amount than I should, considering how much Keith spent on it!  The thing that struck me hardest was how little the core of the game has really changed since the 1980's.  Sure, the graphics are a million times fancier, it's much less monotonous to steer the ship across empty waters, and there's more of a back-story (it's nice to actually understand the reason you are searching for all those long-lost relatives).  But the plot is remarkably similar--and that's as it should be.  The game's a classic, and hey, if it ain't broke. . . but that probably explains why it has failed to pull me in a second time.  Maybe I've just had enough PIRATES for one lifetime?  I know addictions aren't really supposed to be that way, but perhaps computer games are in a different category from street drugs.   Then again, I'm sure many of you would disagree with me on that one. 

Next--the number one question I am asked when I am out and about meeting the Eberron crowd continues to be: "Do YOU play?"  I know I've answered this one before, but I though I might go into a little more detail about my Eberron character.  He's a neutral good human cleric of the Sovereign Host (emphasizing Olladra).  He has some questionable behavior in his past and is now trying to redeem himself.  He's great at fast talk and charm, but he is careful not to do anything sleazy (at least for now--definitely a one-day-at-a-time type of guy).  I'd love to play a Warforged or Kalashtar at some point, but I'm afraid neither will allow me to express my uncontainable goofy sense of humor--which would probably be a problem for me.  On the other hand, maybe it's good to stretch yourself sometimes.

My spouse continues to be very patient regarding my persistent navel-gazing regarding being a celebrity's wife.  I hear you out there saying we should all have such problems as to suddenly find oneself the wife of someone famous.  And I continue to say that it's a psychologically complicated state of affairs.  But--an interesting and fun one most of the time.  Especially when people read your blog.  And even better, send you email about it!  (hint, hint)

I'm turning 39 next month.  That's a pretty scary age for women, in case you male readers out there weren't aware.  We suddenly find ourselves contemplating things we haven't before, such as hair dye, Botox, and plastic surgery--not that I've actually done any of these things yet, of course.  They are just suddenly a little less incomprehensible to me.  Which in a way is as scary as the number 39 itself. 

I just finished organizing our taxes, and I have to say that translating all of our Australian expenses into US dollars was a pain in the neck.  Being in business for oneself definitely has its down side.   The pile of tiny little receipts looked pretty daunting at first, but I finally plowed through it.  Then I bought myself a bunch of stuff on ebay as a reward.

Now on the topic of my addiction to ebay . . . actually wait, that's worthy of an entry of its own.

What's going on in YOUR lives??

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January 26, 2005

I Am a Recovering Computer Game Addict

Well, one game in particular.

What brings this to mind is that I am currently holding in my hands a copy of the latest edition of "Sid Meier's PIRATES!," thoughtfully provided by Mr. Baker as one of my many Christmas gifts. 

Mr. Baker is FULLY AWARE that I played this game CEASELESSLY in the winter of 1990.  (When I say ceaselessly, I mean I ate, slept, worked, and played PIRATES.  Period.  I am not exaggerating).

I played this game on my old boyfriend's Mac Classic.  It was his game, and I basically hijacked it.  And his computer.  (And Tom Green, if you are still out there somewhere, I AM SORRY!)

PIRATES, for those unfamiliar with it, is a swashbuckling game of high seas adventure, complete with romance, sword-fighting, mysteries, fortune, and complicated things to keep track of, such as whether your crew has enough food (they will mutiny if you let the food run out).  I found it much more intellectually stimulating than I thought; my previous exposure to computer games mostly involved arcade games which require rapid reflexes and good eye-hand coordination--both things I lack.

This obsession went on for about 4 months, I think.  After I realized I had played out the game as far as I could, I got kind of a hangover. You game addicts out there know what I am talking about--the feeling that you've lost several months of your life, and you're not really sure what you were doing.   Or who you might have pissed off by doing it!

So, despite all of this, Keith goes and buys me THE LATEST, NEWEST VERSION of my former addiction.

He is a brave man.

Despite having had my hands on the game for a month, I have yet to start playing.  I think I am scared.  Will I be like the recovering alcoholic who thinks he can start having a glass of wine with dinner again, thus beginning a cycle that will lead to certain doom?  Or will I try it again and find that it no longer holds any wonder for me?

What do YOU think, dear readers?

Stay tuned.  Keith just left town for a week and I can feel my resistance fading. 

Plus, he keeps threatening to take it for himself if I don't start playing it soon.

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December 12, 2004

Why Geeks Make the Best Husbands

I'm so serious about this one!

Last summer I was at a wedding shower for a friend of mine.  We had all had a bit to drink, and one of the guests was discussing a recent marriage proposal she'd received.  She wasn't sure what to do.

So Mary weighed in.   Mary is one of my favorite co-workers.  She's a salt-of-the-earth, call 'em like she sees 'em kind of woman.  And she's been happily married for 25 years.

"Marry a nerd!" Mary said, with great conviction. 

I agree!  One of the things that has perplexed me over the past few months are the semi-humorous condolences I receive on a regular basis about my husband being a gaming geek.  The sentiment seems to be, "Geez, it's so nice of you to put up with Keith being a gamer.  What a drag!"

Hmmm, what do I prefer?  I've had previous non-gaming boyfriends who were into heavy drinking, college basketball, skydiving (which wouldn't have been so terrible if it hadn't resulted in a very badly broken leg), chain smoking, dating as many other women as possible, obsessive TV watching (it didn't really matter what was on), new age rebirthing rituals . . .  so, at BEST, I was often bored stiff.  And at worst . . . well, you can probably use your imagination on that one.

Now let me just say, I LIKE games and gamers.  But even if I didn't, I'd probably still advise marrying a gamer. 

I've found they tend to be loyal, affectionate, intelligent, hard-working, creative, funny, interesting. . .  They also seem to be more of a clean-living crowd in terms of drugs, alcohol, and smoking.  

Most tabletop gamers really have good social skills--which comes from having to work on problems as a team. 

So ladies, get out there and date some gamers, and FOR GOD'S SAKE STOP FEELING SORRY FOR ME!! 

I assure you I've got it made.  :-)

And no, I wasn't paid to write this--it was entirely voluntary!

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