Video Game Systems Old and New

As I get older, I'm amazed at the achievements of the video game systems today. When my children were small we had a game called pong. You would sit in front of the tv and slide your hand back and forth holding a box trying to catch a dot that was bouncing on the screen. Sounds funny doesn't it. But catching the dot wasn't all that easy at first. Then a game came out called Centipede. I really loved that game. It was fast and fun. Then the systems became more complicated. Nintendo Wii came out with a very cute system that has allowed children to play sports games as well as more complicated games that is designed to fit the smaller children as well as the parents. Then you have the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 . These systems are just out of site when it comes to graphics and playing the games. These I feel are designed more for the teenagers and die hard players in the adult generation. You can play movies or games that are to me, extremely difficult. But the kids seem to have a great time with them. I like the interaction features of most of these video systems. The Wii is a lot of fun but the Xbox 360 interactions are really super. I've heard that the PS3 is about the same but haven't seen anyone playing an interaction game with it yet. All I can say is that the systems have advanced to high standards and generate a lot of interest by young and old. I just wish I was a bit younger to catch on to this newer stuff. The last game I was able to master or finish was the PS2 Crash Bandicoot. Great fun .

Earth Quakes, Hurricanes, Twisters and Floods

I have pondered the effects of Earth Quakes, Hurricanes, Twisters and Floods. These are all major disasters. No one is ever prepared for these disasters. If you get stuck in a place for a couple of days waiting for help, an emergency kit placed in your home in a place for easy access, could save your life. If your home has been flooded or a twister hit your home, having a sleeping bag or tent would be very beneficial. Why not carry a couple of emergency bags in your car in case you get stuck somewhere. No one thinks of these things ahead of time. Only after the disaster. Everyone should get together in communities and start a collection of emergency kits and products to make sure they can take care of everyone who needs it.

Theres a site that sell some of the items you might need for emergencies. Take a look. The pages listed have many products that will help you survive in case of an emergency.

http://www.secrtreasures99.com/Store/display_sub_category.asp?home_id=5&b=1&system=1&prodid=5&categid=292

http://www.secrtreasures99.com/Store/display_sub_category.asp?home_id=1&b=0&system=0&prodid=1&categid=3

HISTORY OF TELEVISIONS IN MY LIFETIME

As I think of my life and the television, thoughts of the day my parents brought home our first tv still brings me joy. It was during the year of 1953. Our household was so excited. At that time, there was only a few channels that would broadcast some of my favorite shows. Everyone would wait with excitement knowing that Red Skelton Show was about to start. Some other favorites was the Ed Sullivan Show, Life of Reily, Rin Tin Tin and of course the very funny I Love Lucy Show. Those were great times for families. Everyone would sit at the table and have dinner, then go into the living room to watch some great shows on a 12" screen. I still have this togetherness with my parents but it’s sports now instead of a comedy or variety show. These Tvs cost about $300 - $400, so many families had to wait to save enough to purchase one. There was no remotes, no special features like today. Just a plain black and white screen that tickled the hearts of children everywhere.

As the years progressed, so did the television. Color tv sets started to show up in the late 50’s. The screens sizes were around 21” and I remember getting a tv around the early 60’s with a remote. Shows started to change too. More violence, language that seemed to come from another world and comedy just didn’t seem to be as funny as it was back in the 50’s. A different culture was brewing and it was brewing fast.

Today the Tvs are more complex and very confusing to many. Sometimes I wonder, does anyone really know everything that these new Tvs can do. I read their specifications and wonder want the heck is all this stuff, like the specs on this Toshiba 42” tv:

"42"" ClearFrame 120Hz LED TV 1080p Net TV with Yahoo Widgets CineSpeed LED Panel DynaLight Built-in WiFi."
Toshiba 42SL417U42" LED-LCD TV
Direct LED - ATSC - NTSC - HDTV 1080p - 16:9 - 1920 x 1080 - 1080p - 120 Hz
UPC Code: 022265004371
Estimated Retail Price: 1,099.99

It took me a long time to find out what 1080p meant. Now there’s some sets being sold with Net TV, Cine Speed, LED, LCD, WiFi, some have features for video games, some with dvd players right in the tv unit, Plasma and 3D Tvs. I’ve also heard of a tv coming that is 4D TV.

But is all this good? Technology is great and the pictures are better than ever but I have also seen a dismantling of the family. Children have a full time babysitter, the TV. Parents spend less time talking and teaching their children and depend more on the tv to teach them what they don’t seem to have time for.

As I close I have mixed feelings but some great memories. To be born in a world of such amazing new gadgets developed in my lifetime but sad that the wonder that I had as a child is lost in a world where the gadgets are more important to a child than getting to know each other as I did with my family.

My Favorite Camping Spots in Oregon

As the summer starts to appear, I get the desire to pack up the car with my tent and camping gear and set my directions to the mountains of Oregon. There are so many rivers, lakes and camp grounds in Oregon, that I know I will never see all of them in my lifetime. A favorite place of mine is Farewell Bend Campgrounds. It sets right next to the Rogue River above the gorge in Union Creek. Union Creek has a store, cabin rentals and a restaurant with the best homemade pies. The river runs fast here but sitting around a camp fire at night and listening to the rushing river is so relaxing. Another favorite spot is Lake of the Woods. There's a nice restaurant that sometimes have live music on weekends. There's also a store, boat and cabin rentals. Don't forget to bring your bicycle, the area has lots of roads to roam and a bicycle is just the right equipment to use. Don't forget to try fishing with your rod and reel in some of the best fishing river and lakes in Oregon. So have a great time and make sure you take your camera the views are awesome.