the8bitter
August 24th, 2010, 06:09 PM
Good evening, fellow teens.
What I am going to share with you here is a story of nostalgic wonder- my personal tale of why my childhood had been as magical and enchanted as childhood was meant to be. Being born in the late 90s, I was one of those children who had to have the newest thing on the block. At that date and time, a Sony Playstation was on the get-list... at least to me. Now, this originated as a rough draft for a narrative I am going to use for English class (still in its original, drafty form) and I just want to see your feedback. Grammar-oriented infractions will be analyzed later on in the writing process. I understand that I have used words that are outside the normal vocabulary range for somebody my age, so some of you may have slight troubles comprehending the paragraphs. Either way, I hope you enjoy it!
___________________________________________________________
The date was January 5th, 2001. A time when the media wasn't overflowing with assassinations, terrorists threats, and other pessimistic materials. It had been a time when the intolerable hells of public education had not yet consumed me as a whole. It was a time when true joy could be achieved. After all, my five year old self was amused by the slightest of things (A major contrast to the pubescent teenager I am today). The life-altering gift of the newest technological toy on the market had been given to me on this day, my Birthday. That gift, lovingly secreted in red wrappings, was the Sony Playstation- the one thing I would have traded any other toy in the world to have.
I was awakened early that day, my interior senses sparking the simple thought of "I am five years old now! I am five years old now!" making me leap out of bed the moment I had realized that special day had arrived yet again. Just a few foot-steps from where I had composed this narrative, I had observed lovely red packages of all kinds lying under the family television set. Although all were wonderfully appealing to my fragile young mind, my eyes feasted upon the largest one in the parade. Given I had a bit more intelligence than your average child at this time, I had realized what beloved thing was being held prisoner in the wrappings. I also realized it had meant to be a "surprise", so I swallowed the thought of hopping out of hyperactive-child joy and had acted as if I had not noticed it. I crawled back into bed, knowing it would only be a matter of time before that life-altering present would be in my flimsy little hands. My mother, a woman of 45 at the time, had stepped into my room- presenting to me a few small gifts to serve as appetizers. I quickly ripped them open- and they had revealed themselves to be another face of my childhood. Staring at me dead in the eye on the jewel case of one of the presents was an anthropomorphic lizard. "Gex", I had identified this creature to be- I would always indulge in the vast cartoon worlds of this video game at the lovely-smelling residence of my adopted grandparents. On the other, was another game featuring this childhood-defining character. Whatever doubts I had of that large gift being beyond a Sony Playstation were diminished. Attempting to redirect my route of thinking, my mother had told me that "I could play them at grandma's house.". I played along with this conviction- just to please my mother and not lead her to believe I had known it had been my beloved Sony in that large package.
We had arrived at Chuck E. Cheese, a haven for children in my day, around the evening hours. It is a place where all kids went to indulge in those fascinating arcade cocktails, character-embellished amusement rides, all with the admiring scent of pizzeria accompanying the fun. I recall highly enjoying myself- I was completely glued to a small arcade cabinet featuring a cute, manga-styled frog in a cartoony world (Oh, if I could only remember its name!). However, the persistent though of "I'm going to get a Playstation and my Gex!" had tormented my being until the time came for me to "unwrap my presents". I had not known those few minutes of being around my family, young and elder, would alter my life in the unique way it has today.
I was grateful for every little thing I received- basketballs, action figures, chocolate delights...I had fasted for the entree meal- that Playstation was going to be the most delicious morsel of the bunch. I tore away those wrappings, staring blankly at my new toy- the decorative grey packaging of the Sony Playstation was before me. As I have mentioned above, I had KNOWN this very moment would arrive- but something had taken over that perception of mines for one moment. Replacing the lack of surprise was an instantaneous spurt of infinite joy. Trying my very best not to tear up due to happiness, I had made the jolly child remark of "Ooohhh, a Playstation- just what I wanted" followed by the anxiety of coming home to initiate my first run on it.
After being driven back to my mother's residence, I darted to the door and barged in. Tearing apart the grey sub-packaging, I had presented to my mom the rotund gaming console with all of its components to be hooked up to the television set. In a matter of moments, the controller was in my tiny hands and had initiated the Playstation disc-based game known only as "Gex: Enter the Gecko". Those lovely, polygon smothered virtual worlds had me captive for hours. After gaining the satisfaction I seeked from my new toy, I had lulled myself into the enchanting world of dreams- knowing I would get right back to collecting doo-dads in three dimensional worlds yet again the following day. This was merely a fascination from novelty, and not an obsession that detracted from my other values at the time. I was truly happy- a feeling that has only been artificial to me in these days of High School challenges and stressful situations.
Reflecting on this life-defining alteration in hobbies, a surge of up-most nostalgic pains enter my soul. If it had not been for the Playstation (and, of course, the wonderful mother who put out the two hundred dollar pricetag for it)- I would have never found the key allowing me to enter the incredible world of electronic gaming. Today, I am a hardcore player who is extremely dedicated to his most highlighted of passions. I push myself further and further to solve the puzzles, conquer the hideous virtual beasts in my path and ultimately annihilate the most villainous of pixelated entities. I am an accomplished player- I have cleared numerous video games that have been regarded as "nearly impossible (to beat)" without breaking a sweat. My philosophy ever since that monumental birthday has been "If you are not unleashing skill at a trade, you do not belong in the company of that trade". I do not fall for the silly "motion-sensing" and "casual, family-directing gaming" gimmicks of the now that are currently employed by the gaming industry as a means to treat kids to overpriced, artificial entertainment. Every time I gaze upon the aged jewel cases of my favorite childhood games, I recall a time of when magical things could truly happen. A time when video game developers had yearned to entertain with beautiful 3D worlds, and not to profit off what I would regard as complete, utter garbage. A time when every moment of life was love-able, before I had been confined to the trials and tribulations I now face today.
What I am going to share with you here is a story of nostalgic wonder- my personal tale of why my childhood had been as magical and enchanted as childhood was meant to be. Being born in the late 90s, I was one of those children who had to have the newest thing on the block. At that date and time, a Sony Playstation was on the get-list... at least to me. Now, this originated as a rough draft for a narrative I am going to use for English class (still in its original, drafty form) and I just want to see your feedback. Grammar-oriented infractions will be analyzed later on in the writing process. I understand that I have used words that are outside the normal vocabulary range for somebody my age, so some of you may have slight troubles comprehending the paragraphs. Either way, I hope you enjoy it!
___________________________________________________________
The date was January 5th, 2001. A time when the media wasn't overflowing with assassinations, terrorists threats, and other pessimistic materials. It had been a time when the intolerable hells of public education had not yet consumed me as a whole. It was a time when true joy could be achieved. After all, my five year old self was amused by the slightest of things (A major contrast to the pubescent teenager I am today). The life-altering gift of the newest technological toy on the market had been given to me on this day, my Birthday. That gift, lovingly secreted in red wrappings, was the Sony Playstation- the one thing I would have traded any other toy in the world to have.
I was awakened early that day, my interior senses sparking the simple thought of "I am five years old now! I am five years old now!" making me leap out of bed the moment I had realized that special day had arrived yet again. Just a few foot-steps from where I had composed this narrative, I had observed lovely red packages of all kinds lying under the family television set. Although all were wonderfully appealing to my fragile young mind, my eyes feasted upon the largest one in the parade. Given I had a bit more intelligence than your average child at this time, I had realized what beloved thing was being held prisoner in the wrappings. I also realized it had meant to be a "surprise", so I swallowed the thought of hopping out of hyperactive-child joy and had acted as if I had not noticed it. I crawled back into bed, knowing it would only be a matter of time before that life-altering present would be in my flimsy little hands. My mother, a woman of 45 at the time, had stepped into my room- presenting to me a few small gifts to serve as appetizers. I quickly ripped them open- and they had revealed themselves to be another face of my childhood. Staring at me dead in the eye on the jewel case of one of the presents was an anthropomorphic lizard. "Gex", I had identified this creature to be- I would always indulge in the vast cartoon worlds of this video game at the lovely-smelling residence of my adopted grandparents. On the other, was another game featuring this childhood-defining character. Whatever doubts I had of that large gift being beyond a Sony Playstation were diminished. Attempting to redirect my route of thinking, my mother had told me that "I could play them at grandma's house.". I played along with this conviction- just to please my mother and not lead her to believe I had known it had been my beloved Sony in that large package.
We had arrived at Chuck E. Cheese, a haven for children in my day, around the evening hours. It is a place where all kids went to indulge in those fascinating arcade cocktails, character-embellished amusement rides, all with the admiring scent of pizzeria accompanying the fun. I recall highly enjoying myself- I was completely glued to a small arcade cabinet featuring a cute, manga-styled frog in a cartoony world (Oh, if I could only remember its name!). However, the persistent though of "I'm going to get a Playstation and my Gex!" had tormented my being until the time came for me to "unwrap my presents". I had not known those few minutes of being around my family, young and elder, would alter my life in the unique way it has today.
I was grateful for every little thing I received- basketballs, action figures, chocolate delights...I had fasted for the entree meal- that Playstation was going to be the most delicious morsel of the bunch. I tore away those wrappings, staring blankly at my new toy- the decorative grey packaging of the Sony Playstation was before me. As I have mentioned above, I had KNOWN this very moment would arrive- but something had taken over that perception of mines for one moment. Replacing the lack of surprise was an instantaneous spurt of infinite joy. Trying my very best not to tear up due to happiness, I had made the jolly child remark of "Ooohhh, a Playstation- just what I wanted" followed by the anxiety of coming home to initiate my first run on it.
After being driven back to my mother's residence, I darted to the door and barged in. Tearing apart the grey sub-packaging, I had presented to my mom the rotund gaming console with all of its components to be hooked up to the television set. In a matter of moments, the controller was in my tiny hands and had initiated the Playstation disc-based game known only as "Gex: Enter the Gecko". Those lovely, polygon smothered virtual worlds had me captive for hours. After gaining the satisfaction I seeked from my new toy, I had lulled myself into the enchanting world of dreams- knowing I would get right back to collecting doo-dads in three dimensional worlds yet again the following day. This was merely a fascination from novelty, and not an obsession that detracted from my other values at the time. I was truly happy- a feeling that has only been artificial to me in these days of High School challenges and stressful situations.
Reflecting on this life-defining alteration in hobbies, a surge of up-most nostalgic pains enter my soul. If it had not been for the Playstation (and, of course, the wonderful mother who put out the two hundred dollar pricetag for it)- I would have never found the key allowing me to enter the incredible world of electronic gaming. Today, I am a hardcore player who is extremely dedicated to his most highlighted of passions. I push myself further and further to solve the puzzles, conquer the hideous virtual beasts in my path and ultimately annihilate the most villainous of pixelated entities. I am an accomplished player- I have cleared numerous video games that have been regarded as "nearly impossible (to beat)" without breaking a sweat. My philosophy ever since that monumental birthday has been "If you are not unleashing skill at a trade, you do not belong in the company of that trade". I do not fall for the silly "motion-sensing" and "casual, family-directing gaming" gimmicks of the now that are currently employed by the gaming industry as a means to treat kids to overpriced, artificial entertainment. Every time I gaze upon the aged jewel cases of my favorite childhood games, I recall a time of when magical things could truly happen. A time when video game developers had yearned to entertain with beautiful 3D worlds, and not to profit off what I would regard as complete, utter garbage. A time when every moment of life was love-able, before I had been confined to the trials and tribulations I now face today.