It's been a long time since I spent a Saturday morning watching someone play video games. Probably, mm, three years. In the thick of college. Three years ago though, this was a very familiar situation, so I know how to adapt. This time I have light pouring in the windows, which is a sharp contrast to the dimly lit dorm room or basement, and a full kitchen at my disposal, so I'm not trapped eating last night's 2 AM candy for breakfast (as delicious as that was).
Brian doesn't play video games that much, but it was his birthday this week, and FIFA 2009 was on the list. His video game mode is intriguing; he plays with a concentration unparalleled in his every day activities. In conversation-mid-play, he tilts his head, lifts his chin, turns his shoulders toward you but can keep his eyes trained on the screen, controlling 11 different characters at one time in the 3 square feet of sporting competition. He may nod, laugh, respond to you otherwise, but there is an intangible stream from the TV funneling through his eyes, soaking his brain, draining through his neck and into his arms, translating into nothing but his flying thumbs. And the hat-grabbing after an unbelievable play.
This may sound so very mundane that you quit reading; I apologize. Video games are ultimately boring to me as well. I'm just happy to be at a point in my life where though I'm watching video games on a Saturday morning, I have the freedom to make myself some coffee with cinnamon sugar toast and muse about it. My video game mode is really quite relaxing.
