I'm trying

I watched a very telling documentary on CBC's The Fifth Estate Tonight

Strangers in Paradise is the story of the lure, seduction and potential addiction of creating a “second life” online. Imagined lives in a virtual world, where users can make their dreams come true — what could possibly be wrong with that? For some, a lot. The fallout of a fictional virtual life can have far-reaching repercussions for their real lives.

Millions of people worldwide visit the Second Life site; 2.5 million are registered users. Through the online game they explore their fantasies by creating their own “avatar”—a user’s idealized persona that embodies the physique and personality of his or her dreams. Want to be better looking, have more money, live in a mansion, travel to exotic places, have the wedding and honeymoon you felt you never had? Second Life makes all that possible in the virtual world. It costs real money in the real world to play this game, but there may be another expense: the cost to players’ real lives. Some players would rather spend more time online in this virtual world than living their real lives.

I was shocked watching this documentary. I have a couple of friends that play online games such as World of Warcraft, and they have tried to convince me how entertaining it is. I'm not convinced and I'm more than worried when they tell me how many hours a day they play these "games". These men are very intelligent, successful, but very addicted. I must admit I like to play computer games too, maybe playing for an hour a day, but sometimes a bit more. I rationalize it by telling people these are intelligent games...or that they are relaxing games such as certain card games. When I really critique myself severely, I don't see these kinds of games too much different than spending an hour on a difficult crossword puzzle, playing a game of solitaire or crib. I've never played any online fantasy games though. hmm.

I wish I could give you link to watch this show. Maybe there will be one later; I'll continue looking for it. Usually the Fifth Estate posts full shows later on.

Anyway, do any of you play these kinds of games? Be honest. I'm interested why people play these games.

I need to tell you somethingk

Wait until after this.

Ohhhh But I really need to tell you now.

Can't it wait?

But I'll forget.

Ok ok. I really want to hear it anyway.

So my Super Mario came today and my mom says I can't try on the moustache and then I can't get a picture then for you to see the costume so yeah I can't try it on...

But you tried on the rest?

yeah but not the moustache but the stomach is cool because Mario is kinda fat and then the stomach pumps up it's kinda like a balloon and you pump it up blow it up with some air over your stomach like this but I can't do the moustache so you can't see it.

So you can wear the moustache for Halloween though?

uh, yeah, I guess

Well, if your mom takes a picture I'd love to see it , is it a pretty cool costume?

Yeah it's pretty sweet.

What's your sister going to be?

A banana.

A banana?

Yeah, and there's spots on it too.

So she's a ripe banana?

Uh yeah I guess. But I can't wear my moustache yet. You know there's some houses that give out cans of pop? Like whole cans of pop!

oh dear, whole cans of pop eh?

I hate this new Opera bug. When you update an old post it goes to the front of the line now. This is very frustrating. Especially since all I updated was a photo which a monkey had substituted for some reason. Now I can't even put the old photo in . It also updates to the front of the line if I update something minor, like a spelling mistake. This is silly.

1. Mr. R actually read a whole sentence today. "I can hop". He's almost 9 years old.

2. I didn't go to yoga today but I went for a run instead. Good thing because my route took me right past eight otters playing at the seawall!

3. Despite coming in contact with three people who have H1N1 I am still healthy.

4. Cleo's trick has finally come to light. She stands on her hind legs like a prairie dog and then butts her head against my hand. Not exactly something I can photograph easily. Pretty funny though.

5. So far my new landlord is quieter than the previous ones. So far.