So it’s the new year! Hope you all had a happy one!

Over the holidays I had time to think about all the things I want to achieve in 2012, and you can bet that:

1. I will come up with a million things I think will enrich my life and make me a better person.
2. Actually achieve maybe two or three of them and decide the rest were awful and I am a moron.
   

   Any good excuse to post Calvin and Hobbes!

So, this year I have decided to focus on GAMING – that lil hobby of mine that I seem to fall all too easily out of love with when faced with a challenge. I never used to be this bad, oh my ill-spent youth… how I must be a complete let down to my 20 year old self.

But why gaming? Well, it is something I really do enjoy and have missed out on since focusing on one game. I used to be a massive fighting game fan but I have been too casual for my own liking. I also used to be pretty keen on platformers, but again I have been focusing too much on the whole MMO universe and now I have to do something about this. Gaming has always been a big part of my social circle and thanks to my own laziness I have managed to cave myself in. This is not healthy!

I have made the following promises:

1. I WILL try different games, not just restrict myself to just MMO, Fighting and anything that MIGHT have Hello Kitty in it (don’t judge me). I need to branch out and give a bash at things I normally wouldn’t touch. First thing I have decided on is getting Team Fortress 2. Yes I know it is an older game but it is so stupidly hilarious, I am angry at myself for not getting it sooner.
2. Try and hunt out an active arcade in Glasgow. I pass one on the way to and from work filled with slot machines and numerous versions of Dance Dance Revolution but its not really what I am after. Last active arcade I played in was the dearly missed Trocadero and I was horrifically schooled in the art of getting thumped by a scary as hell Guile player who then wanted my number… why do I want to find an active arcade again?!
3. Play online more. This is where I chicken out. Xbox live used to be a wonderful experience for me but in more recent times I found myself at the receiving end of some nasty abuse purely based on gender. Nothing unheard of when you are a female gamer but it does put you off. Hence why I tend to stick to my friends online. But I need to grow a set and start playing on my own – randoms and lobbies are terrifying but I gotta believe  and just get on with it. Mute is a gift from the Gods – USE IT!
   

   Parappa The Rapper – singing inspiring quotes since 1997

4. Try to remember how gaming  used to make me feel. I remember midnight launches! I remember getting to the shops before work to pick up a limited edition copy of something  that only had 1000 releases and made you more fantastic than your regular Joe! I need to keep positive about gaming rather than having it as a casual distraction.

But why am I needing to do these things?

Because I honestly believe that this will make me happier. This casual gaming is all good and well but I miss the days of being EXCITED!

Most of my friends are gamers and I am blessed to be included in such a circle so it will give me more opportunity to try new stuff and meet new people. Next month I should be the proud owner of a gaming PC. My friend is building one for my birthday. I have never had a gaming PC before and I must admit I am a bit edgy about it. I have always been a console gamer, but if I want to get into more games then I would be a fool not to take advantage of this. Plus my poor Steam account keeps crying at me to play stuff.

So here is to 2012, the year where Carly became a real gamer and did stuff and wrote about it. If you see me kicking about on a game online drop me a hello. I promise not to run off screaming!

One Response to “Promises, Promises…”

1. Duncan
   January 18th, 2012 at 9:57 pm

   Ready Up is in desperate need of more Calvin and Hobbes.

   Oh, and I agree with the whole excitement thing. CALVIN AND HOBBES! WOO!

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