Author Archive
Kids And Old Arcade Games
I’ve already espoused on the greatness of GeekDad at Wired.com. This article about an exhibit of older arcade games and why kids should learn about them continues to prove that I am right.
Despite being sometimes graphically challenged, a lot of older video games are better for kids than the new ones. First of all, they’re easier to understand. Pac-Man? You move in four directions. There are also a lot of hidden gems, such as the Capcom Classics Collection Volume 2, which has games like Captain Commando, a side-scrolling fighter with great characters, including a baby in a mecha robot suit. When he does his special attack he says “Baby Head.”
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uMf6XKEK5w&t=2m8s]
All of the games in the Capcom Classics Collection Volume 2 disc were originally arcade games, meaning that you can continue if you keep feeding the machine quarters. But with the PS2 or XBox versions, you don’t need quarters. You can just keep on playing. Kids like that because they can just dive in, shoot, punch, kick, and not worry about the game ending in four seconds.
The exhibit sounds fun. If you can’t make it, and you want to try out some fun older games with your kids, try the Capcom Classics Collection Volume 2 and its other versions. These kids today need to know that things weren’t so bad back in the day.
The Arcade Experience at eGame Revolution | GeekDad | Wired.com.
Geek Dad Book Is Awesomely Geeky And Awesome
Geek is a word that has become a compliment in recent years. (Most of the time a least.) Geek Dad is a blog we like on Wired.com, and the book Geek Dad: Awesomely Geeky Projects and Activities for Dads and Kids to Share is indeed awesomely geeky as well as being just plain awesome in general. (Note to Geek Dad editors: that wasn’t butt kissing, but I would love to contribute to your site. You know, in case you were wondering.)
I’ve actually received two copies of the Geek Dad book as gifts; not only did I not have to pretend I was pleased to receive the second copy, I didn’t even return it. Why? In case an experiment goes horrible wrong and the first copy suffers a tragic fate, I have a backup all ready to go. Highly recommended.
Amazon.com: Geek Dad: Awesomely Geeky Projects and Activities for Dads and Kids to Share
For The Insanely Nerdy Dad In Your Life
Let’s say you know a dad who is, shall we say, really nerdy. Geeky. Whatever term you prefer. Their particular brand of nerdiness is Star Wars.
If you really love them, have a couple hundred bucks to drop, and they are indeed insanely nerdy about Star Wars, consider the Officially Licensed Star Wars Luke Skywalker Ceremonial Jacket with Medal Of Yavin.
Yes. This is a replica of the jacket Luke Skywalker received at the end of the movie that I call Star Wars, but my children refer to “Episode IV: A New Hope.” It took many years but I have finally come to terms with this fact. It no longer makes me angry. No really. It doesn’t. See? I’m fine. (Deep breathing, deep breathing…)
Here’s the scene where Luke gets the medal in case you somehow don’t know what we’re talking about here.
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU-mPOrVUYs]
For an interesting (and yes, very nerdy) discussion of the fact that Chewbacca does not receive a medal, read the comments on this version of the same clip on YouTube.
Officially Licensed Star Wars Luke Skywalker Ceremonial Jacket with Medal Of Yavin, $196.70 at Amazon.com. Unless dad is a bit on the large side — an extra-large version will run you $275.
Texas Dad Saves Son From Fire Right Before His Birthday
You know I love me some superheroes. But they don’t just exist in comic books.
KHOU.com reports that a Texas father rushed into their burning home in order to save his son. He succeeded, and the kid turned five on February 8, according to the report.
I’d like to think that I wouldn’t hesitate to do the same thing for my kids. That said, I hope I never have to find out.
KHOU.com says that the Super Dad’s name was not released. Whoever you are dude, good for you. You are truly awesome.
Fart Cop 4 – The Origin Of Snow Cop
In Fart Cop #4, we learn the origin of Snow Cop. Interestingly, it is vaguely reminiscent of Robocop, which as far as I know neither of my children have ever seen.
Enough talking! Here it Fart Cop #4.
Elton John’s Father Never Heard Him Play [Elton John’s Daddy Issues]
Imagine your son was a great musician. You’d be proud of him, right? Now imagine that your son was not only a great musician, but an insanely successful one. Like, oh, I don’t know, Elton John. Odds are you’d show up to hear him play, right?
Not if you were Elton John’s father. According to a story posted on TimesLive.co.za, Sir Elton’s father never heard him play piano.
This little tidbit comes at the end of a story about how “flamboyant musician” (their words) Elton John and his husband David Furnish are dressing their adopted son in hand-me-down clothes from friends (“All you need is a couple of Babygros and a lot of muslin,” says David; I’ve raised two kids and have no idea what that means). According to TimesLive, Elton John told the Sunday Times magazine that “my father never came to hear me play. Not ever. He was a tough and emotional man. … He was dismissive, disappointed and finally absent. I just wanted him to acknowledge what I’d done.”
If that’s not enough, Elton adds that he doesn’t think his father “didn’t know how to relate to kids. He left us, remarried and had another family, and by all accounts was a great dad to them. It wasn’t children, it was me.”
Read that last sentence again. OK, I’ll do it for you.
“It wasn’t children, it was me.”
Again, these quotes are from an outside source. I didn’t speak to Sir Elton personally. If I had, I’m not sure I would have been able to restrain myself from saying, “Dude! It wasn’t you! He was a prick!” Or maybe crying. Hell, I’m getting a little teary-eyed now.
Granted, things have worked out pretty well for Sir Elton. He’s worth at least a couple of hundred million dollars, has sold a bajillion albums (that’s a rough estimate) and by all accounts lives about as nice a life as one could hope to live. But if the quote, “It wasn’t children, it was me,” is accurate, that’s sad. I’ve still got a pile of issues that I’m dealing with relating to the fact that my father died when I was 10 (details to come if I decide I can share them publicly; it’s fairly depressing stuff). Elton is older than I, and also a bajillion times more successful in his chosen career (again, rough estimate on the exact multiple). I guess it’s fair to say that when it comes to kids dealing with daddy issues, I think it’s gonna be a long long time.
Elton John’s son wears ‘hand-me-downs’ – Times LIVE.
Image via Amazon
Fox In Socks Read Super Fast
The title of the page where I found this video is Fox In Socks by Dr. Seuss Read Super Fast, but I don’t feel a need to add the author’s name. If you don’t know who wrote Fox in Socks, you’ve got more issues than Life Magazine and I can’t help you.
Anyway, as you can see, anything with the word “fox” in it can get dangerous when said too quickly, somewhat like playing The Name Game with Chuck. (Chuck Chuck, Bo Buck, Banana Fana Fo Fu…. G’night, ladies and gentlemen!) Video probably safe for work (unless you work somewhere really uptight, in which case you shouldn’t be watching YouTube videos there anyway), debatably safe for kids, depending on your willingness to accept that fact that they may start saying “fox” over and over again really really fast, at which point it will eventually start to sound like a different f-word that has one more letter than the word fox. Again, figure it OUT, people. Do I have to do everything around here?
Here is Fox In Socks Read Super Fast on stage:
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EP1ZrAv8A4]
And here is Fox In Socks Read Super Fast without applause in the background, which is funnier in my opinion:
[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mB90p1NVHCo]
via LaughingSquid and a billion other places.
