Would you like to play a game?

I thought long ago that someday I might get sick of playing games as I got older and "more intellectual." It hasn't happened yet. Video games were my main addiction, but now I'm really into trading card games. There is probably nothing more geeky than these card games - Magic the Gathering and my new favorite, the Marvel VS. System, and I couldn't care less. Although I'm 30, have a house and wonderful wife, and a real job teaching high school students, you'd think I would have given up the gaming hobby (especially because it's terribly expensive). But I haven't - and I hope I never will. There is something about it that keeps me young - keeps me smiling and aware that small joys can mean so much. It would be easy for me to be a "serious" guy all the time - sometimes I can feel myself become that way as I worry about the world around me - the world that seems to me to be falling apart. I fear for the future of my students and what kind of world they are entering... I fear for myself and Casey sometimes too. But with video games or card games, the dark cloud goes away, and for a brief time I'm a kid again, where the only true worry in the world is winning the game and having fun.

Comic Book Summer

Summer is almost over for me - and I'll be back to school in a little over a week. This summer was great, though. My wife and I saw Batman Begins four times, and it inspired me to break open all my old comics (and buy a bunch of new ones).

I think when people ask me what I did this summer, I'll tell them I read comic books. It's a much more interesting answer than "worked on the house" or "played video games" or "nothing."

Comic books are incredible. They are at once works of art and great literature. People might scoff when I say this - but I think both are (or can be) true. They are reflections of our culture and times - and past comic books are a direct link to that period's fears, hopes, and dreams.

Right now I'm digging Captain America. Here is a comic book hero who, above all, fights any evil that might threaten his country. Throughout history he's fought Nazi's, Russians, and, of course, more modern enemies to American liberty. And now, Captain America is having his doubts about his countries past and his role in America's exploitation of the world. Some diehards have freaked out - but Captain America is showing his humanity, and is again a reflection of our times. He's becoming a true American patriot - someone who doesn't blindly follow, but someone who questions the very country he loves, and still has the heart to fight for it.

Happy Birthday, My love...

I never thought I would be so lucky to have you in my life. You have made my life full of meaning and happiness. I love you, Casey! Happy 30th Birthday!!!!