I had reached a point in the game where I wouldn’t be seeing any new material for quite a while. I blew through all the fun stuff and was left just sitting around waiting for the new furniture to get into stock

When “Animal Crossing” came out it effectively ended my life for a two week period.

I can’t remember much about what happened. It was over a winter break and

I was so enthralled with it I didn’t get off the couch for the first eight hours; at least, I think that’s how it long it was. All I really know is that it was coming close to the point of me wetting myself.

What was so amazing about this game that I would give my copy of “Star Wars: Rogue Squadron” a rest?

This game had a real time world. Whatever time it was it was the same time in the game. If I started playing at 6 p.m. and the sun was just setting, it was setting in the game also. I could go wake my neighbors up at 3 in the morning in the game and they would hate me just as much in real life.

And if I did it enough they would move out of town. How fun was that?

I would go around and talk to the townsfolk. I could do favors for them, go out and catch the bugs and dig for fossils or search around for other wonders of the digital world. There was so much to do each day and almost unlimited time to do it in. I was advancing fast and furiously, and then I stalled.

I had reached a point in the game where I wouldn’t be seeing any new material for quite a while. I blew through all the fun stuff and was left just sitting around waiting for the new furniture to get into stock.

The game had become mundane and boring. As much as I enjoyed talking to my oh-so-cute but ever-so-annoying neighbors, I really had much better stuff to do. So I left, simple as that.

I gave the game some space, went about doing some of my own things. I knew it was still at home waiting for me to return, but I also thought that if I came back it would be all the same.

Then later in the break I once again jumped into game and was instantly bitched out by members of the town for not being around and not showing up to take care of everything because the rest of the residents are too lazy to do.

I had to spend the rest of my time apologizing and cleaning up the mess. I learned that even if this world wasn’t all fun and games all the time, I still needed to be there. It was my 24 hour commitment if this relationship was to last.

So now I understand that with a committed relationship one needs to show up and care even if one really doesn’t want to. It’s part of the game, so to speak. There are going to be great times and there are going to be not so great times. The game taught me patience, and for that I am for ever thankful.

Because now I know that if we are going somewhere then I don’t have to even start getting ready until she puts her shoes on. Not like it takes her that long to get dressed and prepared for the outside world. I just get ready that much faster and care far less about how I step out the door.

Thank you animal crossing you taught me so much, and one more important lesson we will discuss next time. Til then have a super mushroom on me.

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