Jun
19
2009
,
Humor
,
C. David Dent
,
It looks like I well might be first out of the gate on this one. It is just that this idea jumped so completely formed out of my head as soon as I read about the contest that the folks who create The Guild are running.
I actually wrote the script and sent it to Heather (my lovely wife who appears over my shoulder). Originally I had planned it this way but I actually may film it with roles reversed to see if it comes of as funnier (or just sad and mean). It is a testament to the idea that even after four takes and constant re-viewings I still chuckle at it (and Heather really laughs).
I may post links to other entries here (if I ever find them) and I'll continue to pimp my video. Please rate it on You Tube and leave a comment there rather than here.
TRANSCRIPT:
PLAYER: "Hi, this is David I play...
peers
at screen
PLAYER: UniKron 'underscore' 683 in the game. I read that you were looking
for a new guild member.
I've
only been playing about a month but my wife has been playing for more
than a year.
turns
around
Is
it a year, honey?
WIFE: waves hand but doesn't turn around
PLAYER: Yes it's a year.
I
started playing so we could do something together.
turns
around and reaches to rub WIFE'S shoulder
WIFE Get off! I'm in combat!
still
not looking WIFE rolls shoulder to throw off PLAYER'S hand
PLAYER Shrugs but plods on
Anyways,
my wife tells me I need to be less of a ... noob?
Turns
around and thinks better of asking WIFE
Noob. That's
the word. I have a lot of ... interesting equipment and a more than enough
gold that she's given me to get me started.
I
was hoping you'd have a place. for me.
(looks
back then leans forward conspiratorially)
She
says once I get to 40th level we can quest together. I'm only (peers at screen)
um....hang on
(turns
around and glances back apprehensively at camera)
Hang
on. Honey? Dear? What level am I again?
(smiles
at camera sheepishly)
WIFE (mumbles something and gestures dismissively)
PLAYER I'll get back to you on that, okay?
Care to Comment?
Jun
16
2009
,
,
C. David Dent
,
This a response an article from the Economist about positive affirmations and their negative affect on negative people. Since I am responding to it, this may make more sense if you read the article it is a response to first.
I am a positive person, but it wasn't always the case. In fact I was, at one time, one of the more negative people you could meet. I was constantly in a bad mood and I had to struggle to find it within myself to be friendly. I am still not outgoing, but I am at least pleasant to be around.
Part of the reason for this is through "affirmations" like the one in the article. "I am a lovable person" is similar to an actual affirmation I used: "People like me because I am friendly." While I felt terrifically silly saying that out loud to myself over time it did have an effect. I slowly began to believe it.
Now this is a study and it has to have quantifiable datum to analyze. And it uses established psychological tests to determine happiness (or positive outlook) and the study - for what it is - isn't in question. I accept their results. However, I'd be interested to see how it would change over a longer time period. I'd also be interested to see if the subjects of the study really wanted to improve their outlook.
I say this because the one thing that drives more change than any other is desire. If you do not want to change then change is very hard. This is a big hurdle to overcome. This is why people have a hard time losing weight in a lot of cases...they don't want to lose weight. They may FEEL they have to, but they don't really want it that badly.
I know *I* don't want to. Becasue I know that once I've lost it I can't go grab some Burger King whenever I want to because I don't care about the health risks. I'd have to really care about my weight and I don't. But enough about me and my fat-ass, the point is did the subjects of the study want to be "lovable"? I'd be interested to find out.
Care to Comment?
