Blowing off steam

Tell me this, is it because the ’40-something’ generation grew up in the rapid evolution of video games (I mean I was thrilled to get PONG), or is that our children were born with a gamepad in there paws, that we’ve chosen to dilute a stressful day with zoning in front of a screen, killin’ things?
Both Cosmic Kitten and I are having very stressful weeks, job related. And what do we do to vacuum out the angst of the day? We video game ourselves down from our ledge.
CK’s video of choice is Pikmin. Little alien guys go around with an army of weedlings that they grow to help defeat bugs and other crawly critters while gathering trash-to-treasure prizes and return with them to the ship. Addicting game, that’s why I ain’t playing it.
My game, and lately the only one I can get my video card to play lately is Battlefield Vietnam. Nothing clears a day of slow shipping and vague sales goals like tromping through the bush cuttin’ VC down with my M60. I play online, but only for short bursts; those days of all night kill-a-thons are over. Much like drinking, my body can’t handle the next day.
I figure I’ve saved thousands on psychologists bills, and prescription mood enhancers. I just jump online and play grenade softball with some chap on the other side of the planet. After, I’m fine … peaceful, the day has been beaten out of my mind. Aaaaaaaaaah… of course if one of the kids walk in while I’m sneakin’ up on Charlie and delay my drop to prone position to ask me about something silly like dinner or something, and I get hot lead in my helmet, they’ve cost me my life. I will not go into combat with my kids; they will give up my position every time.
I noticed my fiancée doing a little snapping when she was interrupted and some 30 pikmin where sent to little sprout heaven. Wait until we’re done kids, then we’ll be the best parents we can be. We are taking care of something in a fantasy world so we don’t do it in the real world … let the therapy sink in a bit first.