11:30

I didn't manage to get myself out of bed until 11:30 today, despite the fact that I went to sleep around 1 a.m. Well, I woke up around 10, but I just couldn't seem to find the energy to get up, so I just lay there for an hour and a half...why? Because I could afford to. Or, I thought I could; now I find that one quarter of my last days of winter break has vanished to sleep. Guess this means I have less time to play video games.

Over the break, people, teenagers in particular, have much more free time on their hands, and the amount of time spent playing video games spikes, especially amongst teenagers. This is from my own experience too: although I got out and did a lot with my life this break, including running in the snow and walking through the Getty Center, I found myself at home playing The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for almost two hours one day.

First of all, I hadn't really played the game in months before winter break. In fact, the only games I had played were Halo 3 and Dead Rising, both of which I played with my friends. I just hadn't had time to play video games because of Cross Country practice, homework, and a social life outside of the confinements of my basement. And I have to say: I didn't miss video games much.

True, some may call me a "nerd," but there's more to life than video games. Although it may be a bit of an about-face for me, I believe that the time we have is limited in this world, so we should make the most of it by actually carrying out our own lives rather than living in a virtual world. Yeah, playing video games can be a hobby, but there are so many other things, such as love and friendship, that can give you just as much and even more pleasure; and the latter two can also be carried with you later in life.

No, this blog is not switching from a gaming blog to some type of self-help guru guide. I just wanted to point out the fact that in the past week, I have learned that time doesn't seem to move so quickly when you aren't playing video games, and it gives you a chance to slow down and savor every second of your life. Then again...I spent ten hours in bed last night, so who am I to talk about time management?

Gaming tip of the day: You know it's time to stop playing when your eyes feel dry and itchy. It means they're becoming bloodshot.