Games

Yes, this is turning into "memories of Dad" week. I don't care.

I was reading through (and answering) a column about in-game music over on Diabloii.net, when I thought about "Starmaster," the old Activision game from the Atari 2600. (Not Star Raiders, no.) Anyway, it had this horrid sounding music (five notes, actually, which sounded more like armpit noises) that my dad would actually sing along with (usually a "bless your little heart" or something similar.) The first time he played that game, too, he put it on the harder difficulty (only two available on the 2600, pretty much.) I think he'd be a gamer if he were younger, definitely.

We had a lot of fun playing on that Atari. Combat - yep, many hours wasted. Taking turns on Air Raiders. Trying to get Atari Football figured out (with odd figures that looked like they were on a flat watermelon.) Once I had my first PC (not first computer, mind) we spent some time playing Monopoly- I don't recall if I'd had surgery or dental work... dental work, yeah. Anyway. Still my favourite version of Monopoly - the old DOS version from Virgin Interactive.

Then there's the board games. Yep, Parcheesi, Monopoly, Scrabble and backgammon were common, as was Uno. He tried to get me into playing poker, which I do on occasion, but I recall his bag of change he'd haul with him to play against Pat, Bev, Steve and whoever else would come for penny ante... Aunt bev died a while back, too. Guess you get to say "hi" again soon, huh, Dad.

How did we stop playing? I know we played scrabble a time or three in Florida, but... I kept to myself, I know. IT was just how I was. But I wish we'd played more. This seems to be the first part of your leaving that's hitting me, Dad - no more Scrabble, no more Uno, no time for any more games.

Yet I'll treasure those times we did have.

I can't think of anything more affectionate to call you than "Dad." It's simple, it's close and said with warmth and love... and I'm going to miss you, Dad.

I already do.