Against my mild protestations, we got the boys a Switch. They've only had an old Wii that garnered some but not a lot of attention, and I was pretty fine with that. I'm worried we're opening a door that can't be closed as we've heard stories from parents of their kids turning to zombies once a console was introduced in the house. I see (hear?) a lot of arguing and screaming in our future.
We've had a switch for about 2.5 years now, and it hasn't been too bad. A lot of that is the nature of the games we have - mostly lighter fare with short engagements (Mario Kart, Smash Bros.), with a few more epic quest style games (Zelda, Pokemon). The short ones are multiplayer and generate interaction. The epic ones they turn a bit into zombies, but since they're not almost at the end, we just flatly tell them to save and turn it off, and they do. We also don't let them play online, which probably helps.
My perception is that the switch leads to a lot less zombification than some of the other consoles. That might just be a function of more cartoony games and less online play and worse graphics and such? Maybe the things people rag on Ninetendo for are actually the things that make it better for these types of situations?
This is nearly exactly our experience. I will say sometimes Minecraft sucks them in more than I would have expected, but it is also leads to a lot more creativity than I thought it would.
Yeah, I thought the Switch would be better than other consoles for the reasons you mentioned. The portable nature of it raises some issues, but we'll just try not to get into the habit.
My son (17) will bring his to his friend's house when a bunch of them get together. There are worse things they could be doing.
That would certainly be acceptable. I'm just saying I don't want it to be integral to every single car trip.
Yes. Can go overboard.
Then you find out you get motion sickness from the
GameGearSwitch or even a book.That's never been a problem for me thankfully. I lived on buses through high school and college and would have been so bored without books in the pre-cell phone era.
I used to get most of my homework done on the bus home.
More time for playing
I never got motion sickness from a bus. It only every happened when in a car. Different motions and different ages.
The portable nature is nice for long car rides. I've also found that I have a hard time not being a big hypocrite in telling the Bauble he can't play a ton of video games, especially with Baldur's Gate 3 being extremely good.
Yeah, it might join us for trips up north.
Aquinas is currently getting braces put on. This is my first "direct" experience with braces. I never had them, nor did Philosofette.
I'm sitting back with him during the procedure and the amount equipment has me experiencing secondary trauma from claustrophobia. Modern medicine/dentistry is amazing and horrifying all at once.
We're talking to the ortho next month. Both kids will need it, but the bauble will need them sooner because his jaw just didn't grow with his head like it should have. I'm not looking forward to the cost, but I did have braces when I was 15-17 and it's not that bad. The worst part was getting sore from adjustments.
I never had, but had siblings who did, and from what I remember the worst thing is the cavities from not cleaning well.
I seem to have some sort of genetic aversion to cavities so that wasn't (and has never been) a problem for me. Now, my kids both have had some already so eh, we're already there.
God, yes. I got braces in third grade and had them through sixth. Monthly adjustments.
I was at the orthodontist this morning so the peperoncino could get an expander put in. I likewise have zero experience with this. He did great with everything, but there's a "key" we need use to give it one turn every day and my practice turn was horrible--I couldn't get the key in properly. I'm hoping I get better at it real quick or he's going to hate me.
The jalapeno seems to have taken after me and doesn't need braces, thank goodness.
Newbish just got done with his expander. The key gets much easier.
He's been really good about putting on the headgear, which is good, because he needs to wear the thing every night for over a year.
Interesting, I would have thought head gear was a thing of the past. I had a severe under bite that was looking like surgery would be needed, but the Ortho in Stillwater was just starting some new technique that fixed it, no head gear or surgery needed.
I didn't need braces and am a bit bummed my wisdom teeth didn't cooperate so I could keep them too. The kids, and my wallet, however will not be so fortunate. All three will eventually need braces. The dentist gave the oldest one more year until he gets some hardware.
I'm very glad I remembered that my local library system has a large number of Switch games for borrowing. Haven't had to purchase any games so far.
If anyone wants the alumni presale code for Drake vs. SDSU football at Target Field, it's DRAKEALUM
On my way home from the Gigantes game with friends. Stop me if this sounds familiar: GIDP, GIDP, failure with bases loaded, GIDP. Also, the Giants gave up an inside -the-park HR when a fly ball hit the top of the wall, rickershayed and rolled along the wall away from the LFer and CFer. I am sure there will be highlights.
But I had an Anchor Steam and garlic fries, so not a bad day.
I thought anchor steam was not a thing anymore.
They are selling remaining inventory. Apparently, the Anchor stand in the bleachers has plenty (Steam, lager, Hazy IPA. No Porter, sadly).
Last I heard, a group of employees was trying to buy it.
Not just a group, but the union itself. They want to turn it into a co-op.
Fingers are crossed. It's a valuable brand name, but the company is laden with debt.