This Is Me--2024 A to Z Theme

My A to Z Themes in the past have covered a range of topics and for 2024 the theme is a personal retrospective that I call "I Coulda Been" which is in reference to my job and career arc over my lifetime. I'll be looking at all sorts of occupations that I have done or could have done. Maybe you've done some of these too!

Monday, June 6, 2011

Fun and Games

 



           It's all fun and games with Alex J. Cavanaugh today.  Alex has come up with some good favorites lists in the past, and I think this one is the easiest so far.

           A nice easy post is something that I need and I always find these subjective favorites posts no hassle respites from trying to be all serious and deep.  Sure, I could make this a big complex deal, but I won't.   I'm just going to list the game, maybe some runner-ups, and a little background or explanation of what the game means to me and why I liked it.

       When I was growing up I always loved playing games.  I was never a sports nut or any athletic type, but I did enjoy the games like dodge ball, kick ball, baseball, and volleyball.  You certainly won't find me playing any of these games now, but I liked them when I was in school.

         Most of the games I enjoyed were board games (since we didn't have video games when I was growing up), some card games, and certain "mind" type games.  Checkers, Parcheesi, Monopoly, Life, and Clue were some of the games we played that I enjoyed considerably. 

         Then there were an array of card games with which we used to pass the time.  I still play Solitaire on the computer, but it's more of a time waster than a favorite.   And there were the entertaining games like Mad Libs and various guessing games.

           Here are some game favorites that define me:

Scrabble  --- It has to do with words and since I consider myself a writer, I like words.  I work Crossword puzzles almost daily so if we consider that a game then Crossword puzzles would be a favorite.   I tend to take my Scrabble very seriously, but I rarely play since I usually have no one to play with.  "Tumblebees" is a computer game that kind of reminds me of Scrabble and I used to be obsessed, but haven't played Tumblebees in the past couple of years since I've become more obsessed with Blogging.

Sonic the Hedgehog -- I don't have much experience at all with video games, but I must say they look pretty cool and I could probably really get lost in them if I started playing.  One game I did get seriously involved with in the mid-nineties was Sonic the Hedgehog.  My daughters had the game console in their bedroom and I would frequently go in to play.  There was something about the surrealism of the storyline, the psychedelic imagery, and the whacked out music that entranced me.  I would sometimes play for hours.  One of my daughters said recently, "You thought I was asleep, but I saw you playing Sonic the Hedgehog at night."   Busted!   I also played Mario sometimes, but I was obsessed with Sonic.   I never got very far into the game as much as I played--there are levels that I guess I will never see.

Juggling Battle -- Just to get something more unique I thought I might include this one since it is more defining of me.   My sister and I were usually the only ones to play this since I didn't have too many friends who could juggle.  The game's premise is perhaps comparable to a demolition derby.  Players would begin juggling--preferably clubs ( or pins as they are sometimes called)-- and attempt to cause other players to drop their juggling props while keeping their own in action.  The last juggler to remain juggling is the winner.  Our Juggling Battle rounds were pretty short since there were only two participants, and rarely more than three.  

         Combat Juggling has actually become a competition at Juggler's Conventions and other juggling events.  Here is last year's event at the International Juggling Association convention:






             Sign up and add your own games or visit the other participants here:




Have Fun playing the Game!






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68 comments:

  1. I remember Sonic the Hedgehog, but I don't think I ever got past the first level. Video games and me don't get along too well. I love the juggling battle. Sounds like super fun!

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  2. I love Scrabble. In fact, I just bought a necklace that's actually a Scrabble piece. It says, "Shh, I'm Reading" on one side, and is an "S" on the other.

    Loved Sonic the Hedgehog. I try to stay away from video games. Too addicting!

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  3. Juggling wars! Now that is definitely you. I played Sonic a lot. All right, for hours! Recently purchased the combo pack (with all seven games) for the Playstation.
    Thanks for participating in the blogfest!

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  4. Sounds like you were one of the rare families with both a Sega Genesis and Nintendo? I was a Nintendo kid growing up, but I remember looking forward to visiting my friends who had Sega's. Sonic was a blast to play. I thought it was awesome how fast he could go, sending him through loops or soaring above the level. So fun.

    Scrabble is one of my favorites too. :)

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  5. Watching someone juggle is so much fun, especially since I'm pretty uncoordinated. I don't have anyone to play Scrabble with any more, but I do play a fun (free) online game called Bookworm which is like a cross between Scrabble and doing word searches. I can highly recommend it.(Obviously, describing 3 games on my own post is not enough since I find myself dropping more game names in comments. Sorry :))

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  6. I love the idea of the juggling battle, but yes, I can imagine most of us non-jugglers or amateur-jugglers wouldn't dare to take you on. :-)

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  7. Scrabble was one of my selections! And I'm currently addicted to the one on my IPhone.

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  8. My daughter and I were just talking about games last night. My kids almost always had a game console of some sort, but weren't addicted. I hardly ever played them because...I'm just not good! Board games. I wish I loved them more and I do actually enjoy playing them, but don't take the time.
    I love words and writing, but I'm a terrible Scrabble player. I think I get stage fright. My mind goes blank!

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  9. Scrabble, Pick Two, Rummoli, but right now my favourite game is one I'm creating with my grandkids - Spiral Mountain Quest - a hybrid of Risk, Dungeons & Dragons, Sorry, Clue and our own madcap challenges - mental, physical and spiritual. yeehaw!

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  10. Great picks! I really enjoy playing Scrabble, as just like you, I like words :)

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  11. Scrabble and Sonic YEAH!

    juggling - you need more co-ordination than I have

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  12. OMG. I loved Sonic The Hedgehog, and when my characters are getting impatient for me to finish their stories, I always picture them stamping their feet like Sonic!

    Fun & Games Blogfest

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  13. Haha, I love the image of the dad sneaking into his kids' room to play their video games while he THOUGHT they were sleeping! And I'll just be you're the only one today w/ a juggling game on your list. ;)

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  14. Dafeenah -- I'm not even sure how many levels Sonic had. I think I made it to a third a few times.

    Theresa -- I also avoid the video games because I get addicted to them. I have enough problem with video Solitaire.

    Alex -- That Sonic thing must get really complex--much deeper than I ever got.

    Liz -- I'm not even sure what my kids had. Someone had given them the one with Sonic. I recall playing Mario at my mother's house and I'm not sure how that game even got there.

    Li -- I keep seeing games that I'd forgotten as I read comments and other posts.

    K.C. -- Believe me, I would be no match for some of the younger better jugglers than I.

    L. Diane -- When I was on my trip to Tennessee I noticed that my brother and his family and my daughter and her husband were all playing Scrabble on their phones with each other and complete strangers. No phone apps for me yet.

    Laura -- I'm pretty bad at video games, but they do intrigue me.

    Jan -- I'll probably play more games as my grandkids get older. Right now there is no one else around to play games with.

    Nebular -- Scrabble is a great game.

    baygirl-- Actually an uncoordinated juggler might be pretty good at juggling battles.

    Ellie -- The Sonic characters were pretty clever.

    Nicki -- Yeah, the juggling games would be probably pretty out there, but I did find a website that listed something like 50 juggling games. I never knew!

    Lee

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  15. I like Scrabble a lot.

    As for Combat Juggling, I like watching it as you jugglers make it look SO EASY! In fact, I just saw a guy juggling 3 taser guns on America's Got Talent. I think the guy would be called an extreme juggler?

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  16. I never played Sonic the Hedgehog when I was younger. The only one I played was for Gamecube and it was the racing one. I really enjoyed it and I do believe I own it.

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  17. Gotta love Scrabble! My husband and I love playing that with my parents. My sneaky dad is always trying to get away with making up words! So we had to invest in a Scrabble dictionary, LoLoL.

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  18. My nephew has recently become OBSESSED with Sonic the Hedgehog. It's kind of funny, but I really don't know where this obsession came from. He's 5.

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  19. Woa! That juggling game sounds way too scary for me. Do your party guests arrive with hard hats on? I love Scrabble and any type of word games too and I always have a go at the cryptic crossword although I have to admit that some days are not as good as others. I've gone for the childhood games in my Blogfest post. You just can't beat those pre-battery games!

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  20. I love scrabble also. I could have easily had it in my top three, but just didn't think about it!
    Combat juggling! I've never heard of it, but it sounds very interesting!

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  21. It doesn't surprise me that you would be a fan of Juggling Battle, although I must admit, Sonic was a bit of a shock for me.

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  22. I wish I could list a juggling battle...alas, I'm just not that coordinated. :) Scrabble is a good one!!

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  23. Juggling battle, that sounds cool. :) Great pics!

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  24. When I saw this, I had to play along to. I do love games.

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  25. Lisa from Nadir -- I could never compete in Combat Juggling with those younger guys. I missed America's Got Talent, but my mom told me there were several good jugglers on last week.

    Patricia -- I've seen a number of pretty fun looking racing games. Played one in an arcade once.

    Laura - Last time I played with my family (a few weeks ago) my son-in-law had a Scrabble dictionary app on his phone that came in handy.

    Karen -- I think kids today are born with video game and computer knowledge.

    Rosalind -- I tend to prefer the good old fashioned games as well.

    Pat -- I figured Combat Juggling was something that kids did when they got bored. I was a little surprised when I Googled it and found that it was now an actual juggling event.

    Jeffrey -- Sonic is weird, psychedelic, and surrealistic -- just my sort of thing.

    Donea Lee -- I guess you could practice juggling and then try it.

    Ciara -- Maybe they should make it an Olympic event.

    Lee

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  26. Carol -- Yes, this was one irresistible blogfest that required little effort. Glad you joined in.

    Lee

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  27. I thought, like other, that Combat Juggling was a kids' game - wow, it's an actual juggling event. I love how blogging opens up new worlds. However, for an old world - I also listed Scrabble.

    Hope all's going well your way, Lee.

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  28. Chutes and latters, sorry, twister and trouble are a few that some to mind...
    Wow... That takes me back heehee a few days!
    Take care,

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  29. Scrabble is my favorite. I have a hard time finding people to play anymore, so I got the electronic version and play against the computer. Not quite the same, but it works for a Scrabble fix.

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  30. Kittie -- Things are going fine here. Thanks for asking.

    Fishy -- Sorry is another one that would reveal the rivalry between my sister and I. Wasn't it a bit similar to Parcheesi? It's been so long I forget most of the games we used to play.

    LG -- Maybe you should get the Scrabble phone app so you can play against other people. I'm not sure, but there might be a computer equivalent as well. To me it's just not the same as playing around the kitchen table with others.

    Lee

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  31. I will have to check out Tumblebees.

    Juggling battles look like fun!

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  32. Ah, Sonic, the only video game I've ever really got hooked on... unless you count tetris! Great list Arlee
    Lx

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  33. I am an avid fan of Boticelli, but it's hard to find other addicts to play with. Especially since I play sideways. "Are you Hannibal's favorite son?" No, I am not Mark Twain.

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  34. I am an avid fan of Boticelli, but it's hard to find other addicts to play with. Especially since I play sideways. "Are you Hannibal's favorite son?" No, I am not Mark Twain.

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  35. I wish we had Scrabble in my country, I always thought it's something very interesting.

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  36. Golden Eagle -- Tumblebees requires a different sort of thinking than Tetris, but if you like words you'll probably enjoy it.

    Laura -- I would count Tetris. I used to be very avid at playing Tetris, but I forgot about that game until someone mentioned it in their list today.

    Roxie -- I'm not familiar with a game called Boticelli, but if it's witty I might like it.

    Dezmond --I wonder if Scrabble would work well in Serbian? Chinese or any language using characters would be out of the question I'm sure.

    Lee

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  37. Oh, I'd enjoy watching a juggling battle. I never knew of them. Will have to look and see if I can find one local.

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  38. I've read about your juggling before. It sounds like fun as do your other choices.

    Denise<3

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  39. I loved watching my son play Sonic; he was great at it!

    Hubby n' I played Scrabble this weekend; he wins a lot, but it is always a close game. I spell better than him, but he is better at jumble type puzzles. Thanks for sharing; juggling battle looks fun, to watch :D

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  40. Great choices Lee.

    A few I haven't heard of... the video ones. I'm not too familiar with video games... Only a bit of Wii.

    Scrabble is great though and I still LOVE to play volley ball on the court and in the pool! Good times.

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  41. haha I love that you got busted for playing Sonic lol

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  42. MPax -- I'd like to find one of those juggling battles to watch as well. They look kind of fun.

    Denise -- Fun is what it's all about I guess.

    Ella -- Kids have such a knack for playing video games.

    Michael -- There are so many video games out there it's difficult to keep up with them.

    Lynda -- I thought it was funny that I didn't hear about my daughter knowing until over a decade after the fact.

    Lee

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  43. Wow!! I don't have the ability to juggle 3 items while I'm standing. Never mind while I'm walking. Never mind while I'm trying to protect my clubs and knock down someone else's!!! Impressive :)

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  44. *giggles* That juggling game seems very fitting. I think it's funny, too though, that you have a favorite video game. I've HEARD of Sonic, but I don't think I'd recognize him.

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  45. Combat juggling? Oh, yeah, my brother and I used to throw things at each other. Twasn't really juggling, tho.

    VERY interesting! Thanks for sharing.

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  46. I forgot about this event! What a great idea. Thanks for sharing your faves. Have a great week!

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  47. I tried commenting last night but Blogger wouldn't let me. Anyway, Scrabble seems to be a favorite amongst bloggers. Its a great game and one you can use to teach kids to increase their vocabulary.

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  48. Awesome juggling video. My husband juggles too, it's always fun to watch.

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  49. Scrabble--always a favorite! I can't juggle to save my life so I'll leave that to the pros. ;)

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  50. Jemi -- Real juggling artists are probably not very impressed with Combat Juggling.

    Hart --- Sonic is a very cool hedgehog who lives in one crazy psychedelic world. Far out!

    Bryce -- My sister and I often just played the throwing thing at each other game-- well it really wasn't that much of a game.

    Karen - Thanks! You have a great week as well.

    Becca -- Monopoly is among the top favorites for sure.

    Stephen -- Messing with our comments is Blogger's favorite game.

    Heather -- Juggling is rather entertaining. A large combat event probably would be fun to watch as well participate in.

    Cherie -- You wouldn't have to be a pro to do Combat Juggling--just a nut who can keep three objects in the air for an extended period and under a bit of duress.

    Lee

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  51. Oh. My. Goodness. That juggling battle is AWESOME. It looks like it's all coordinated!

    I'm not coordinated at all and am more of a Sonic the Hedgehog gal. X-D

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  52. Ah, Sonic! I've played most of the Sonic games but only beat two of them. The original always bested me!

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  53. The Juggling Battles look like a lot of fun, though I'm sure they are quite difficult! I would probably have a tough time playing Scrabble now without spell check!

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  54. Crafty -- Sonic is probably more my style than Combat Juggling these days.

    Nicole -- Never won a single game at Sonic and rarely got past the 2nd level.

    Empty Nest -- They do have a phone app for Scrabble words if you have phone apps which I don't.

    Sand and Snow -- Combat Juggling is not something you'll see everywhere.

    Lee

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  55. Love Scrabble! I know...what a surprise - LOL.

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  56. You guys're having waaaay too much fun! ;-)

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  57. Congratulations on being Blogfester number forty-two! And thanks for sharing your favorites with us.

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  58. Carol --Yeah, who would have thunk there'd be so many Scrabble fans here. No surprise I guess.

    Marvin -- Must be summer boredom getting to us.

    Kelworth -- Had fun!---- and games.

    Lee

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  59. hahaha that was great. I remember being woken up late at night to the sonic music and you playing. It was funny

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  60. Great list! I soooo wish I could juggle. Especially now that my son has seen Curious George do it and now demands that I give it a go. I don't. It's safer that way.

    Scrabble is a favorite of mine as well (hubby and I can get a nice cut throat game going) and video games and I have never particularly gotten along. Well, unless you consider the time/life suck that was World of Warcraft. Which I still dream about playing every now and again. ;-) [I did also really love Geographic Pursuit.]

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  61. Cool juggling battle! I love learning more about juggling when I visit your blog :)

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  62. Great. Now the Sonic theme song will be stuck in my head the rest of the day...

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  63. Emilee -- I wish I still had the game so I could play it again.

    Kimberly -- Video games can really be a big time suck. Even video solitaire has me addicted.

    Brianna -- Maybe I'll do a non-biographical post related to juggling.

    Maurice -- I hope I don't remember it so it won't get stuck in my head.

    Lee

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  64. I love Sonic the Hedgehog, too. I listed the second game as an honorable mention for my favorite games list. If you can't beat a stage and want to go to the level select screen in the first game (Genesis version), hold A at the title screen and press Up, Down, Left, Right. When you hear the chime, push the start button.

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  65. Reid -- Now I may never know about this since I don't have the game anymore and probably won't be getting another one. But could happen--who knows?

    Lee

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  66. For the kids fun and games are totally interrelated to each other. As the summer holidays are there, children’s keep on playing the games with lots of fun. And therefore that makes them to play better.

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