Every now and again, there are some things that come across the web that are quite interesting. As an adult male, and father of two, I like to think that most of what I find “cool” is in the realm of topics such as finance, health, world affairs, sports, travel, and things of the like. Much of that is true – I do enjoy those topics, though personal finance has been getting my online time of late with my blog.
That said, I just very recently came across something cool – the Pac-Man game on Google. For free! As a squirreler, you know that I think free is good – as long as it’s not taking advantage of anyone or resulting in a loss of self-respect. And this neither – it’s actually pretty neat.
I gave it a shot for a few minutes today, and found it to be a nice little diversion. I just used my keyboard arrows to navigate the Pac-Man, and it played like a mini version of the old game that many of us played as kids. I made it through the first screen, as my Pac-Man devoured all the dots, including the larger power dots that allow Pac-Man to turn the tables on the monsters. Yes, my guy ate a few of the scurrying blue monsters!
That got me thinking….wouldn’t it be cool to have the real thing? You know, a full-size Pac-Man game? Ok, maybe you wouldn’t find it so cool. I haven’t thought about this either, at least not since being a child. But now that I got another taste of Pac-Man in this free Google game, I had that same childhood wish come back to me.
It’s funny how some of those things don’t really leave you. Maybe it’s a case of wanting something because you know you could never have it as a kid, and what you can’t have you want even more. Very common psychological phenomenon, indeed. I know of one person who always wanted a horse, as she loved horses as a kid, but never got one. I’m guessing she still wants a horse. I talked to a friend recently who always wanted to go to see the Super Bowl in person, but as a kid always watched it on TV – and as a young adult couldn’t afford it. This past Super Bowl, he splurged for tickets and went to the game in person with his wife. He always wanted to do it as a kid, and it was out of his reach then – but not now, so he made that dream happen.
I tend to be more focused on practical financial goals these days, and am not really going to go buy a Pac-Man game. That said, it’s fun thinking about what would be cool to have that we have always wanted.
Is there anything from your childhood that you couldn’t have then, but could probably afford now? Something that isn’t practical, but would satisfy a long-term want?
This post was included in Carnival of Money Stories #56 at Personal Finance Analyst
Well, I know my husband would probably like a life-size Galaga game. I loved a pinball machine called Pin-Bot, but I digress…
I grew up incredibly modestly, and that is probably being generous. I always wanted a house with a second story. Our starter home was a cute little ranch, so my dream had to be deferred. We now have that home with a second story, and it really isn’t all that it is cracked up to be. Now that I have to cart laundry all over the place, I think I would prefer a sprawling ranch!
I am curious, was the Super Bowl as good as your friend hoped it would be?
Everyday Tips,
I’m with you on the sprawling ranch. I have a friend who is 40 and built a ranch for his family of 5, with the reasoning that while young now, he could grow old in that house and not worry about running up and down stairs when he thinks his knees will get worn out, back aching, etc. He’s in great shape now, but he’s thinking well ahead.
I have carried laundry up and down in a 2-story home, and have also experienced a condo with laundry right next to the bedroom. I have to tell you, there’s something positive to be said for less space.
My friend did like the Super Bowl. He had to repeat a few times that this was out of character for him because he doesn’t like to spend money excessively, but he was excited telling the story about going. He didn’t seem to have any regrets, and that’s great for him!
I grew up with everything a kid needed and a ton of wants too…I’ll just say it, me and my sisters were/are spoiled.
BUT, I was never allowed to have my own tv, phone line, or any kind of Nintendo. My sisters did (tv, cell phones, and Playstation 2’s…I’m jealous), but I was Mom’s first and she tested this crud out on me. So, I now have my own everything and stick out my tongue at my past and my mom sometimes (she laughs and admits that she “may have been a little tougher than necessary” when it came to that stuff and dating and college).
BTW, the Wii kicks booty!
Oh, and if you or Everyday Tips would like a Plug-and-Play Pac-Man and Galaga game, I’ll mail you ours. It plugs into your tv and plays like Pac Man and Galaga…I bought it as a mini-splurge for like $10-$15 a couple of years ago and haven’t used it since that year, lol. If you don’t want to wait for my used one, I think they’re still on sell at Walmart and Target.
BFS – Thanks for the generous offer on the game. I think that my 6-year old has enough distractions these days…including a Wii! I’ll be the resident Pac-Man player in the home instead, via my stealth Google game 🙂
BFS, thank you for your offer. However, we already have the plug and play Atari games (shocking).
Plus, you know the minute you mailed it, your husband would be wondering where it was. 🙂