Gengar's Myth

I was heartened to see that I updated twice since my last Animal Crossing post, as I didn’t want to seem like some kind of AC-obsessed nutter.

It’s funny, because in previous blogs I used to update every day, then, I decided to update about specific subjects…then, I got this blog, where I pretty much write about whatever is on my mind that I feel I could write a blog about. So, sometimes, I won’t update often…sometimes, I’ll update more. As work picks up and starts to take over my mind my creativity kind of falls by the wayside. So, I’m working on it 🙂

Anyways!

So, ACNL is, IMO, the BEST Animal Crossing EVER. I have no real frame of reference as I’ve only really played one of them, Wild World, which I loved quite dearly. There is one major reason for this (a very predictable reason, I am sure), which I will get to in a moment.

The obsession has hit hard and fast; I’m already over 60% on all categories except art (because I am terrible at picking the legitimate pieces from Crazy Redd’s shop) and I’ve started playing first thing in the morning, although I typically play at night, so that I can continue my endeavors to collect all the things! Being the mayor and being able to add bridges and move things, etc. has an intoxicating appeal that I also love, although I will admit I am a pretty big slacker when it comes to checking in and making sure the town is actually running ok. Everyone seems happy, though…I should probably get on that. You know you have a problem when you’re walking around at the mall, see a stinkbug on a store window, and immediately envision yourself pulling out a net, catching it, and making some sort of witty pun before stuffing it in your pockets. This happened to me the other day. I am not making that up.

Abby and I playing with all of her super-cool fortune cookie prizes

The island adds yet another dimension to an AC already packed with features; the little touches like Tortimer having to retire there (he used to be mayor in the previous games) and Hawaiian-accurate names is amazing to me. Having a whole host of exotic fruit to collect and bring back (SO MUCH FRUIT IN THIS ONE OMG) adds to the appeal, as well as the games that allow you to buy exotic stuff, although it takes FOREVER to get enough medals to do so. I WILL HAVE THE MERMAID FURNITURE COLLECTION. I WILL!

My neighbor and her perfectly-accessorized home…she clearly has a high HHA rating.

Oh, and have I mentioned the music? The soundtrack for this game is absolutely wonderful. I think there is a subliminal track telling me to just relax and play more Animal Crossing. I loved the soundtrack in Wild World and this game puts that one to shame. It absolutely pulls you in and does not let go. I see myself humming these tunes as I walk around various parts of town, or at work…or outside.

The biggest draw for me, however, is the ability to connect/chat with any friends who are playing at the same time as you. Granted, my internet connection is very poor, so I am constantly dropping signal, but having that option is the most wonderful thing to happen to AC. Now, in the past, you almost had better camaraderie, because you had to meet up in person to trade things…but in this one, your friends can just…come over. You have the chat option. I already have almost a full collection of fruit. I think the only thing I’m missing are apples. I get to play with friends who live out of state! It’s almost like an MMO, only you each have your own individual towns, that have each been customized to your own tastes, and you can go experience your other friend’s towns whenever you like! I love this.

 

Abby and I exchanging fruit. SO MUCH FRUIT.

So, ACNL…best Animal Crossing yet…

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have some more fishing to do.

When I got home from work today, my dad greeted me outside. “The power is out,” he said. “It’s been out since about 6. I don’t know when it will be back on.”

This immediately irritated me. I’m trying to get promoted and I needed to make a business plan tonight after receiving some much-needed guidance on how to go about doing it. But, there was nothing to be done about that, so I got out of the car and commented on how there was rain heading our way; I’d avoided it coming home but it had been raining in bursts at the store. Looking in the distance, you could see the clouds darkening, moving southwest at a fairly rapid pace.

Dad sat in the garage and invited me to come sit with him and talk about our days, after all, there was not much else to do. We sat in the garage and chatted and watched the storm roll in. It was spectacular; the wind picked up right before, blowing dust in our eyes. There was the tiniest bit of hail, really, sounding similar to hard rain, but too early and raindrop-less to be anything but. Then there was the rain, and the thunder, and some cracks of lightning that were almost deafening. It’s funny because I remember hearing thunderstorms all the time growing up, but I guess since the drought we don’t get them as often. My brother and his fiance had joined us at this point, and we all stood around and watched the storm.

“You know, if the power was on we wouldn’t be out here. We spend so much time on our computers and inside that we forget how it’s nice to just watch nature every once in a while.” Dad was right, of course.

It took me back to when the hurricane happened and we were without power for almost 2 weeks. At first, it was awful; not being able to fall asleep until well after dark even though there was nothing to do, missing the constant stream of communication the internet affords us, picking up shattered plastic from the roof of the barn, day in and day out…but by the end it was something wonderful. I went to bed when it was dark (around 8:30-9) and was waking up naturally around 7 to go to our neighbor’s house for a shower and coffee (they had a generator). The camaraderie on our street was something to behold; neighbors had cookouts to clear their freezers and if you needed something, you walked down and talked to someone in person.

Don’t get me wrong, I love my technology. I love having friends that I wouldn’t have if it weren’t for the internet…I just think that sometimes it is good to just sit outside and watch the storm roll in.

Since my breakup last fall, my goals have been to become truly independent from my parents (financially stable, move out, etc.) and build a career. The two go hand in hand, of course. I have wanted a “career” since I graduated college-to feel as though I am a part of something that is growing and evolving, to grow and evolve along with it.

After my breakup I didn’t want to date anybody, and was, in fact, rather afraid of the idea of even being romantically interested in someone because I felt I would be distracted. I felt I might lose sight of what was a large motivational factor in ending my relationship-after all, I felt somewhat trapped during it and I cannot help but blame him a little even though it’s ultimately my motivation. I still feel that way, if I’m being honest. I know what I want within the next three years; what is the point of getting attached to someone if I intend to move away?

Anyways, a friend has decided that she would like to set me up with someone. Someone who is “nerdy like me” and is “cute” and if I would just agree to meet with him, that everything will “work itself out.” She knows I am not interested; I currently have a flirtation going on with someone, and even though that is stressful at times, it’s also just about perfect for where I am in life. I get attention, he gets attention, but there are no heavy relationship undercurrents. I like him quite a bit and would probably pursue that route if it were possible, but it isn’t at the current moment, so I enjoy it for what it is.

But, I do not understand why people insist on trying to set people up with other people. Personally I find it a little insulting and it causes me to be SUPER cautious if I am to meet that person. I don’t know why, exactly…I’ve always been that way. But, if you mention it to me, and I say no thanks, what makes you think that badgering me is going to change my mind? I’ll just dig in my heels. Finally, what is the point? If someone else is in my head, there is no room for anyone else. Therefore, there is no point in trying. Maybe my mind is a little wacky 🙂

What do you think about being set up/ setting people up?

Animal Crossing: New Leaf is coming out soon, and reviews/previews are already starting to come in for the game. I just finished reading this article, followed by this little snippet, and I thought I’d tell my story of Animal Crossing and how it became a huge addiction for me; one of two games my ex got mad at me over (the other was Nintendogs, for a similar but slightly different reason).

Wild World (DS) was the first game I played in the series. It was a dark night, and my gender-neutral answers to the creature driving the taxi (bus? I don’t remember) had resulted in a tomboy that I wasn’t too pleased with: scrappy pigtails and a mildly surly expression. Upon arriving and wandering aimlessly for a few minutes, I told my boyfriend, “I don’t know what this is. I don’t know what to do. What’s the point?” and he said, “Just go talk to Tom. He lives in the super market. He’ll tell you what to do.”

And it was all over.

I met Tom, who offered to provide suitable living space if I would just run some errands for him. While doing this, I ran into Patty, a simple and kind cow. I also met a snobby duck named Mallory, who immediately grated on my nerves. It was winter, so I talked to a friend, who told me that I could get snowman furniture if I make a perfect snowman. There’s only one chance to do this every day, as the game runs in real time and only two or three snowballs generate. I made sure to visit Patty every day, because if I didn’t she would wonder where I went, and sometimes she’d imply that something was troubling her. I discovered the joy of fishing, of fossil collecting. I visited friends who had the same game, and eventually collected a full orchard from which I would harvest the fruit. I got that whole set of snowman furniture. I collected stationery to write letters to the townspeople who mattered, like Patty. I bought medicine for the snobby duck, even though I didn’t like her. I always enjoyed making Blathers, the owl in the museum, get excited because I brought a new contribution, and creating constellations with Celeste.

What really pulled me in, though, were the “project” characters.

The pigeon who ran the coffee shop was one of these. Brewster was rather gruff at first, as though he knew that you couldn’t tell what kind of coffee you were drinking; that you wouldn’t appreciate the “perfect temperature” that scalded your tongue. But, eventually, he warmed up. He remembered me when I’d come in. He’d season the coffee with pigeon milk-his treat!

Chief was a wolf, a Native American wolf, if the sound bite that accompanied his presence was any indicator. He was…grumpy. I greeted him and he answered with the most condescending tone a text bubble under a cartoon wolf could muster. I had been told that the “unfriendly” characters could become friendly, if you talked to them enough. So, I talked to him every day. I visited his home if I didn’t see him outside. I wrote him letters and sent him presents. I wanted him to be happy. It bothered me that someone in my town was just…down. Eventually, he did cheer up.

You can get pictures of the townspeople if they grow “close enough” to you. This was my goal, to get pictures of everyone who mattered to me. Once I achieved this, I stopped playing, for the most part. Occasionally, I’ll still boot it up and collect some fruit to sell, or go fishing, or even just pull weeds, as the townspeople are happier when there are no weeds. I always make sure to go visit the characters I like, because if you don’t, they’ll move away.

Much like real life, I’m ready for the next adventure. I wonder if I’ll still develop an emotional attachment to the new townspeople like I did in the last game, or if I’ll compare them and decide they’re not worth my time. Maybe I’ll actually get every fossil and fish and bug, a feat I did not accomplish in the last game. Perhaps I’ll unlock the largest house, or actually care about judging the contests about whose house has the best lights.

I don’t know what will happen, but I can’t wait.