MOMania

By what?

December 9, 2008 7:50 AM | Link to this

“Michael rented for her over Thanksgiving a Disney singing game that she loved.”

they really give uga journalism degrees for this type of writing?

By deidre_NC

December 9, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this

i used to be totally addicted to mario brothers..then the nintendo broke (remember when it would start making the sqigly colored lines) we never got another game system-my kids were always more outside players when they were younger-now i would personally love to have a wii but cant afford it. if i ever can i will definately get one. reviews all say the wii is the best of all systems. my kids and their friends love to play guitar hero and others like that—i never can get into it…they also loved the tony hawk stuff—i think when i can afford a wii i will probably be the one on it the most.

By deidre_NC

December 9, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this

especially the mario game pack i just love mario..also- the wii is the first game system my daughter has ever really wanted…but shes going to college next year..and we would probably fight over who gets to keep it lol

By Theresa

December 9, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

Sorry What — I get started working around 10:30 p.m. and was writing this around midnight so my sentence structure gets sloppy.

By Mr. Nice Guy

December 9, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

I use to play video games as a teenager (Mrs. Pac Man, Gallega, etc.) then I grew up, became an adult and prefer reading books instead. Video games are for little boys and little boys who never grew up mentally.

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

I am 31 and an avid gamer and have been all my life. I own all of the current generation of consoles: Xbox 360, Wii, Playstation 3, and I also own the current crop of handheld systems as well: the Nintendo DS and the Playstation Portable.

Gaming has always been in my life. anyone interested in learning more about adults who are gamers can check out the website geezergamers.com. I’m a member of the clan Elysium.

My Gamertag is ManOfTeal….cause I’m a Florida Marlins fan.

My kids, being only 4 and 19 months haven’t really started playing games yet but believe me they will. And they will probably be much better than their dad ever was.

By motherjanegoose

December 9, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Have fun…no,nada, never… I am not an electronic person. I am doing well to use my cell phone and now the Mac computer that my son bought me for my birthday. I prefer the old fashioned board games and this may make me a dinosaur….LOL but I am not even interested in an IPOD. To each his own.

I guess I hear from way too many kids after I ask the question ( in May) “what fun things are you going to do this summer?”
Answer…”watch movies, play video games, play on my computer….” not many kids know how to just entertain themselves in the back yard and by riding bikes or playing sports. I do realize it is a safety issue in today’s world ( parents prefer to keep the brood inside).

I would not allow my kids to wander the neighborhoods visiting with friends, as I did when I was growing up in Chicago!
It takes work to keep an eye on them and a plug is so much easier than actually getting outside and doing things.

I laughed at a parent (last week ) who was upset that her 1st grader had recess when it was only 40 degrees outside…HELLO…do you think they stay inside all winter in Wisconsin…NO and it was ZERO there.

By Theresa

December 9, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this

MJG — totally off topic but we’ve been having some behavior problems with my little friend at school and I think it’s because he’s not running outside enough. When they get home, they want to cuddle up it’s been so cold. We made them go outside this weekend and yesterday. Worried the rain today may hurt the playing outside.

Mr. Nice Guy — I think video games help adults relax. It’s muscle memory that they have from playing as kids and teens (the pac man generation) and it is mindless and they can just totally relax.

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

@Mr. Nice Guy

You really do not know what you are missing….games have progressed WAY beyond Mrs. Pacman and Gallaga.

And believe it or not there are video game championships where teams can win pots in the millions of dollars. People can make a career out of playing video games…..just like playing any sport.

Plus the video game industry has become a giant moneymaker dwarfing anything that comes out of Hollywood…..especially nowadays.

By motherjanegoose

December 9, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this

mr. nice guy….I am inclined to agree with you but we will be in the minority….. I read ( at least) a book per week and love reading. Allen Hunt was talking about TV on Sunday night on WSB and saying ( I believe) that he watches 5 hours per day and was going to cut back….HELLO…that is 35 hours per week. There are LOTS of other things that time could be used for! He cited studies that show those who watch a lot of TV are not happy…check it out on his blog.

By Karen

December 9, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

We have Gamecube that my daughter (15) barely played. However, there will be a Wii under the tree. It is a “family gift”. Just the two of us and I have made it a point to do things she enjoys WITH her over the years. I think playing video games WITH your child is family time, similar to a game night. I don’t see much difference in a video game and a board game.

That being said, I don’t like kids that are obsessed with the games. If my daughter played these games ALL THE TIME, I would probably feel different.

For me, it is just another “family time” night like movie night, card game night, etc. Luckily my daughter still enjoys doing things with me.

By JJ

December 9, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this

SmartAce HEY!! How are you doing? Haven’t heard from you in awhile……

I LOVE Wii. I don’t have one, but several of my friends (and my brother) do and it is a blast. I love Darts, and bowling, and tennis. Also the Wii fit is fun. I love the dancing…..

My daughter never got into gaming, so we never bought any of these systems. But I would love Wii, but cannot or do not want to shell out that kind of money.

But they are fun. I’m a product of Pac Man, Ms Pac Man generation, and I still love those games. Galaga is still one of my favorites.

By Theresa

December 9, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

You can still read and play video games. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. My husband is a very avid reader. He always has a book or two going on.

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

@motherjanegoose

If you like to read there are many Role Playing Games (RPGs)out that take anywhere from 40 - 70 hours to complete that have more dialogue in them than the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. Plus they are entertaining.

My wife loves to read and she plays a lot of mystery games. I think she just got finished playing a game based on the “Women’s Murder Club” books.

Games offer something for everybody…..

Something tells me I’m going to be on this blog all day defending video games. But this is a topic that I happen to know a lot about so I say bring it on.

By lakerat troll alert...

December 9, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

…he has come out of his shell and is writing under one of his earlier monikers as Smart Ace, aka You People are LAME.

JJ, do not encourage him by falling for his “nice guy” routine. He is back on his medication, so beware, and be very afraid!

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this

What’s up JJ? It’s good to see you. You should check your email more. I think I’ve sent you like a ton of emails.

By Karen

December 9, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

I should add from my previous post that I love to read and do read quite a bit. I also enjoy playing video games with my daughter. It will be fun. Its all about moderation…..isn’t that true with most things??

By motherjanegoose

December 9, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

Theresa…physical activity gets hearts pumping and blood moving to the brain which carries oxygen and allows children to concentrate and process information astutely.

YES, children get fidgety when they are kept indoors at school! ( Have you ever fallen asleep in church or gotten wiggly during the sermon and tried to distract yourself?)

Here we go again, we are catering to those parents who have let Emily head to school in a tank top and shorts in December and she will freeze outside…so everyone else suffers ( by staying inside) for the stupidity of Emily’s parents…does this sound like something we were discussing yesterday?

I say…keep a basket of clean sweatshirts ( from the lost and found or Goodwill) for anyone to wear so that the class can still go outside!

Smart Ace….does the fact that anything is a ” giant moneymaker “make it right? Perhaps you should change your name? Just wondering out loud hear.

Do they feel the same way about dog fighting with pit bulls? Seems like I read something about it lately….hmmmm…..

By Homeschool Mom

December 9, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

My younger son has an XBOX, XBOX 360 and is getting a PS3 for Christmas. He wants to be a ganme tester and also learn to design games. He has a great imagination and would be good at it. I hate the type of games he loves. I like my cartoons to look like cartoons not real life. I am planning to give myself a Wii for Christmas and get the Wii Fit. Looks like my kind of games. I played one the other night in Best Buy and it was a blast.(even though I was driving all over the places-up the walls and everywhere!) I have the joystick plug it in and play game for Ms Pacman & Galaga which were my faves in the 80s in high school when we had to go to the arcade to play!

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this

@lakerat troll alert

I don’t know who you are or what you problem is but I think you have me mistaken for someone else….I’m sorry but you do.

i haven’t been around for a while actually. Been realy busy with the holidays…work has been crazy it just happens that I don’t have too much going on today and I thought I’d see how you guys were doing…

By Jeff

December 9, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

We had a Wii that got played MAYBE 20 times in the year we had it.

Took it to Gamestop Sunday and traded it in for a Xbox 360 and a Nintendo DS.

Two brand new systems with two games for the DS, 1 (plus the combo it came with) for the 360, and we only spent about $30 cash.

Mine and T’s problem is that she likes the more family/kiddie oriented games that Nintendo is really good about having, whereas I am more of a Halo/Tiger Woods type - things Nintendo products typically aren’t prolific at all with.

So now I’ve got Tiger Woods ‘08 and Lego Indiana Jones (one of the ones - with Kungfu Panda - that the system came with) on my 360 and she has Cooking Mama on her DS.

She actually told me that she enjoyed the DS more than the Wii, so I think we both came off better for this one.

Of course, she might come to regret this when I get my hands on the more action-oriented games I’m hoping to get for Christmas or my birthday next month.

Also, can’t wait to play the Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe game.

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

@Jeff

Hey man what’s your gamertag? Mine is ManOfTeal.

We should game online sometime since we both have Xbox 360…I love Halo3. Right now I’m playing a lot og Gears of War 2 and Left4Dead. The online multiplayer is tons of fun.

By motherjanegoose

December 9, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this

smart ace…not interested but thanks…I prefer a real book in my hands.

I KNEW Jeff would show up today and on this topic…hahaha!

Have fun y’all….this one is all yours…it is none of my business if you spend 20 hours per day on games but I fear for children who live in those houses…their academic /social skills may suffer.

What happened to the pediatrician out there who said ( he?) checks the blog routinely but rarely posts…perhaps he could give some solid advice here…off to work!

By Becky

December 9, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this

Games aren’t something that I’ve ever goten into..I have lots of family members that play them though..To each their own is my motto..Just because I don’t enjoy them, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t..I do read a lot though & I know plenty of people that don’t like to read..

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

@motherjanegoose

The fact that the video game industry is a giant moneymaker is significat because if it did not make money why would anyone make a video game?

I was just saying that to help push my point that video games have progressed far beyond the “Pacman” generation.

It is highly significant that the video game industry is now the second most successful form of entertainment in terms of mony made and fanbase. Second only to the porn industry…actually.

By Numbers Guy

December 9, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

For those of you who prefer reading to video games, good for you. I happen to be well-rounded enough to enjoy both, and I bet if I looked, I could find something you do to relax that I’d think was moronic. To each his own.

As for gaming, I’m an avid gamer and have been for years, but I don’t enjoy FPS’s as a rule When the industry shifted from 2D Doom to 3D Quake, I started getting vertigo if I played too long. 30 minutes of nausea for 30 minutes of play is not a good trade-off. I tend to play 3rd person RPG’s or very long strategy games.

The wii belongs entirely to the boy. The controllers cramp my hands, and I don’t enjoy most of the titles. I’m a PC gamer, personally. He’s starting to go that direction too, as he gets older and I start introducing him to more titles. I’ve built everyone a PC and networked them, and LAN games are a blast.

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this

@ Numbers Guy

Do you prefer Computer games or console games? Just curious.

I like Console games mostly but that’s because I work in IT and the last thing I want to do when I get home is get on a computer….but that’s just me…I do play games like Starcraft on PC though. I can’t wait for Starcraft 2.

I love First Person Shooters (FPS) That’s pretty much what the Xbox 360 was designed for. I also enjoy a good Japanese RPG like Final Fantasy as well as American RPG’s like Oblivion.

I hope I get Fallout 3 for Christmas….I asked for it.

By Greg

December 9, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

Sorry, I can’t let this slide… The only thing you Leggo is my Eggo. Batman is LEGO!

We have a DS for each kid, but they haven’t been able to play them for a couple of months until they get their grades better in school. They haven’t watched any TV, either, for the same reason. However, my two older daughters are avid readers, and I’m expecting my son will be, too, once he gets better at reading.

I have played many video games on my PC over the years, and there are some I’m looking forward to when they come out. I also read a lot, so I go back and forth between playing and reading.

By JJ

December 9, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

We are a fairly active family of two. I myself grew up playing outdoors, so I prefer my child be outdoors too.

When she was smaller, we lived in a neighborhood with a ton of kids. They rode bikes, played hide and seek, kickball, football, etc.

However, once my daughter got a bit older, and we moved to another ‘hood, the outside activities pretty much ended (older kids). So we got into softball.

Now she is working alot, and in school, then off to college next fall. So there isn’t much time for “free play” outdoors anymore. But we still manage to be active on the weekends. We like to take the dogs to different parks.

By Jeff

December 9, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

SmartAce:

Don’t have the Live set up yet - didn’t want to spend the $100 for the wireless device, and my hub is in the other room. (The 360 is on the big screen in the living room, the hub is on the desktop in the office.)

Do you know if a standard USB wireless access device will work instead of the $100 Microsoft version?

I’m with NumbersGuy on the gaming vs reading. I’ve read 51 books so far this year, can any of you non-gamer readers say that? (BTW: Average page count per book is in the 395-405 range.)

Personally, I would rather myself and my kids get out the aggression via Mortal Kombat or Halo than to hurt actual humans.

I also find it genuinely relaxing.

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

I just want to make this crystal clear to everyone here:

Just because you play video games does not mean that you never go outside or enjoy interacting with REAL people. That is a stereotype and it needs to stop RIGHT NOW!!!!

I grew up spending as much time outside playing with friends as I did playing video games inside.

My social life now is just fine and dandy as I am married with two small children….and my wife and I both have real friends and online friends so you can balance both just fine.

By Jesse's Girl

December 9, 2008 9:46 AM | Link to this

I lack the patience to be a gamer. Mr Jesse loves the racing game on Wii…it really does relax him. I’m good with a book and a glass of vino.

By jct

December 9, 2008 9:51 AM | Link to this

Love the Wii! Won’t get one at my house because I would be breaking one of the rules that we set for our son.

We sold his Xbox because he would not complete his homework and chores. I know that I would probably not cook, do laundry, etc if we had a Wii in the house. I have used it at my sisters every time we visit. I could box and bowl for hours… I would be in so much trouble.

So until he graduates in May 09, I am holding out. I don’t want to be a hypocrite. But I am counting the days…

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

@Jeff

As far as I know you can use any wireless device that you want to use.

My 360 is hard wired. I find it is better that way. I get far less “lagouts” using my wired connection. But that also depends on how many wireless devices you may already have….I have lots.

By Numbers Guy

December 9, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this

Smart Ace - as I said, I’m a PC gamer, almost exclusively. Fallout 3 is incredible - you won’t be disappointed. I’m about 20 hours in, and I haven’t even lit up a quarter of the map. The thing’s amazingly deep. One word of warning- if you’re getting the PC version, make sure your hardware will handle it, especially the video card. Many older ones, like the ATI 9X00’s, will not do the job, because they’re using pixel shaders the cards simply can’t process. Console versions are obviously a different story.

You may also want to wait for a second patch release - it’s a bit buggy.

Let’s see - this last weekend, we played PC games for a while, strung lights and did decorations for Christmas, attended an outdoor birthday party, spent 45 minutes in the batting cage, etc. I don’t worry about him turning into an addict. At least, not yet.

By lakerat

December 9, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this

Video Games are for NERDS!

I am so much better than all of you nerds.

You will all worship me

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

@Numbers Guy

I will probably be getting Fallout for the Xbox 360 because I’m a bit of an “Achievement Nut”…LOL

But thanks for the advice.

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Ahh so there is a “Troll” on this blog.

Well I assure everyone that he/she/it….is not me.

I would never stoop to such levels.

By Michael

December 9, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

I bought a PS3 about 3 weeks ago and have played the demo programs. Surfing the planet on the internet via the big screen is interesting but I could do that with my laptop just as easily. Thought I would be able to put music on it and use a computer interface to easily pick albums to play. The Blue Ray player is nice but overrated — it’s just tv folks. And the HDCP requirements for blue ray have made my projectors obsolete. PS3 For Sale — cheap.

By Super Dad

December 9, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

My kids play with Wii most of the time, but my 8 and 10 year old boys love the Grand Theft Auto series on Xbox.

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

@Michael

Yeah the only reason I have a PS3 is because it is a Blu Ray player….I only have a few games for it and then only the decent PS3 exclusives like Uncharted and Resistance.

If a game comes out that is multiplatform….I go with the Xbox 360 version because of the achievments.

The Wii is unique though because of the control scheme. Like I bough both the 360 and Wii versions of Star Wars: Unleashed because they really are two different games because of the Wiimote can be used like an actual lightsaber….SWEETNESS

By My3Kids

December 9, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this

I’m not a big game console gamer but I like to play occasionally. I love to read. I read a lot of books and articles on line also. I love the RPG if I do play, however my friends have turned me onto World of Warcraft so I play that usually if I am sitting down to play a game. My kids love the XBOX 360 and their old game cube, but I limit their playing to once a month on each. Other than that they can do chores, homework, and play outside.

I am thinking of getting a Wii for them because I want one and I really want the Wii fit. It is easier dragging that out than the treadmill.

By Jeff

December 9, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

3Kids:

Had the Wii Fit, trust me: you are better off with the treadmill.

Wii Fit is good for iso workouts and working on your yoga technique, but that is about as far as it can realistically go.

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this

I just read that Nintendo sold 800,000 Wii’s over this past Thanksgiving holiday.

That is a metric ton of Wii’s at $250 each…WOW.

Here is the article:gamesindustry.biz/articles/nintendo-shifts-800-000-thanksgiving-wiis

By Becky

December 9, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

SmartAce, I never thought that gamers don’t go out & be social. I do know that the teens that I know that play games aren’t as social, but I attribute that to typical teens..Most of the adults that I know that are gamers, are very social..

As I said earlier, to each his/her own..I enjoy cooking, but I know lots of people that think I’m crazy for that..No big deal..Gameing (sp) just isn’t something that I’ve ever enjoyed..Different strokes for different folks…

By SmartAce

December 9, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

@Becky

No worries….I wasn’t responding to anyone’s post in particular. I was just dispelling some stereotypes that I hear a lot about gamers in general.

By bonny

December 9, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

I play computer games some but my husband plays Ever Quest a lot. He says he can give it up at any time but I know he can’t. Even I begin to miss his character as part of my family! LOL His son on the other hand will yell if he hasn’t the money to get another month or if the computer is down, the world seems to end! LOL We call it Ever Crack!

By Patiently Waiting

December 9, 2008 12:10 PM | Link to this

I don’t have either system. We have a PS2, PSP and N-DS system and I use none of them. I used to do a personal training workout on the PS2 but I stopped due to being pregnant. Now if we had a Tetris game or something where people didn’t get killed, I would play. My husband plays football daily as his relaxing activity so I would have to beat him to it. I’m sure that he’ll think of a reason for our newborn to need a new game or new gaming system though.

By Becky

December 9, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

I didn’t take it personal SmartAce, so no problem & I didn’t mean to attack if that’s the impression that was given..I know that I have a stepson that is a gamer & would never leave the house if we didn’t make him, so I understand where you’re coming from on that myth..

By JJ

December 9, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

I work with a guy who is an addict. The only time he is off his Xbox is when he is at work. He tells us he stays up until 3 or 4 in the a.ms to play, and only gets like 3 hours of sleep. This is a 40 year old man.

Sad, very sad.

By DB

December 9, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

Nope, the XBox 360 is definitely in the sole possession of my son. No one else in the family is even vaguely interested in it — there’s two or three games that I like, but I get ‘em free on the MicroSoft game website and play them when my brain needs turn off for 15 or 20 minutes, a couple of times a week.

I do play Guitar Hero with him occasionally when he and his XBox is in town (like over the upcoming Christmas break), and he feels like slaughtering someone — I am nowhere near as accomplished as he is! I play on medium, he plays at the highest level, and he still beats me, but we have lots of fun! But I can only take it for a few songs, and then I get bored and wander off. During the summer, he and a friend once decided to spend a day doing the entire playlist — I think it took ‘em 13 hours!

By JJ

December 9, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

Back to the original question posed - If I buy the Wii, it’s mine. I will ALLOW my daughter to play it.

Just like the house is mine, I allow her live there.

That’s what my parents did.

By LM

December 9, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

I got a Wii last February following a accident where I shattered my right shoulder, wanted to us it to help me rehab. And I read somewhere that physical therapy places are now adding it to their routine. It does get you up and moving, it makes me move my arm in ways I don’t do during a normal day.

My BF hates the Wii, I think he hurt himself the first night he hooked it up and now wont play it.

I am also a avid reader, enjoy books on tape during my comute. I don’t think it is an either or past time.

By deidre_NC

December 9, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

man no one reads more books than i do…all my kids are avid readers..but i would still love to have a wii lol im sure i would still read…i take books everywhere—you cant take a wii everywhere..

By motherjanegoose

December 10, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this

Numbers Guy…I relax at the beach and that IS boring….exactly how I want it…anyone else like the beach or is it just me LOL.

Glad to share the blog with our men yesterday who were able to to shoot the breeze and compare stats on the Momania web page…maybe we could introduce a topic today that would draw the MOMania crowd LOL!

Are the majority of gamers out there male or female? Who spends more time /money on electronics in any family? Just curious…. I did read that more retirees are getting into it….

bonny and jj …your comments are just what I worry about for families with little kids and I do know anything can be addicting.

By Jeff

December 10, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this

MJG:

I think it depends on the TYPE of electronics.

For example, T has no problem dropping $2K on a very good camera.

I have no problem dropping the same amount on a big screen TV, surround sound system, or computer.

Time wise, T mostly spends her time with her photography stuff, I typically spend mine either gaming or working on enhancing my Linux knowledge or other hardware skills.

Overall though, we’ve tried to arrange it so that we are usually in the same room, even if we are working with different things.

By motherjanegoose

December 10, 2008 8:21 AM | Link to this

Jeff…you got me there…I do pay for all of the home office equipment here as it is used the majority of time for my business,,,,good point.. I was actually speaking of pleasure items…have fun today!

We have 5 computers in this house but do not or will not have a big screen TV. I joke that my husband has a magnet embedded in his forehead and whenever there is a TV within attraction distance, his head roves towards it…even if it is SESAME STREET or CARTOONS. He grew up in a 24/7 TV family and was a terrible student with low self esteem, until he found his niche. He is wonderful at what he does…still loves the TV…we have 3 but they are not huge.

I DO NOT allow the TV on during our family dinner time, otherwise we would never get to talk and interact. Other times are certainly up to him….he has fallen asleep many times in front of the TV in the recliner LOL.

By lakert

December 10, 2008 8:57 AM | Link to this

MJGoose -

I read with interest your statement that you have 5 computers but “will not have a big screen TV”. If you were anti- TV’s I could understand, but since you admit to having 3 in your home, your statement seems somewhat “controlling”. You may want to lighten up, since, as you say, your husband is wonderful and it is not a money issue (plus the price of flat screen HD TV’s have come way down). Why not be a little more of a team player and allow the husband to enjoy the pleasures that HD and bigger screens can give? If he does not really care about the TV, that is another topic - but at least give him the chance to participate in the decision.

By Jeff

December 10, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Gotta agree with lakert on the big screen issue.

The 52” LCD I got was in the 2500 range when we bought it in Sept, but I have since been told the best time to get them is the weekend AFTER the Superbowl.

That said, there really isn’t much better in TV viewing the college football in HD on 52” of screen…

Well, there are a couple things, but this is a family blog! :P

By lakerat

December 10, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this

Jeff -

Thanks for the support - but, sports is not all that is better in HD. With MJGoose being an educator, the shows on HGTV and the Nature Channel are unbelievable in HD - wait until Christmas Day and look for the “Yule Log” on your new HD - it will be really neat!

And, you are correct, buying yours in September in the middle of college football season was not the best planning! But, the prices have still come WAY down!

By motherjanegoose

December 10, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

I looked at the TV’s at Costco today. Not for me. I have such a mental image of the TV being the sacred altar in my husband’s parent’s home that I fear history would repeat itself.

Many holiday dinners were spent with everyone in hushed conversation ( even though we traveled 12 hours one way to get there) as my father in law was yelling anytime he could not hear the TV well…the cursing is imprinted in my brain.

For me it would kind of be like giving a 6 pack to an alcoholic. My husband does love his TV ( it can really distract him sometimes) and if the screen took up the entire wall it would be hard to ignore.

I am not saying he cannot buy his own….I would never buy it for him.

I have seen all those neat TV’s when I stay in hotels for work…just not impressed…I rarely watch it even when I travel. I sometimes can go an entire week without watching a show on TV.

FYI…my daughter told me that her HS history teacher does not even own a TV at all. He says he prefers to play games with his daughter…lucky girl. He went into education from corporate America and appears to be an older dad. There are still those out there who live their lives without TV. To each his own. It is obvious the limited TV folks are in the minority but that does not make them wrong does it?

FYI…I rarely drink Coke either ( sacreligious in Atlanta LOL) but do not take away my coffee in or when I am traveling and away from the south, I crave SWEET TEA from Chik Fil A! Guess what there are LOADS of folks who cannot imagine drinking sweet tea ( just like loads of those who cannot imagine not owning an HD TV)….are they right…nope whatever floats your boat!