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Super Mario Galaxy 2

So, summer has begun and we are stuck under a rain cloud. What to do when it rains (nearly every day here!) -- play video games, or course. Nintendo recently came out with a real winner -- Super Mario Galaxy 2.

Maddie and I both love this game, which is a bonus.  I love games that the whole family can enjoy together. While we can play it separately, there is great feature here that allows a second player to be a helper -- picking up bonus items and fighting enemies. This is great because it gets more then the person playing Mario involved in the fun.  

If you played the first Super Mario Galaxy, which was pretty awesome, I think you'll like this one even more. There is no more running around to find a place where there are more stars -- now there is a more traditional world map, which makes things much easier. There are also fun new bonuses, easier controls and hours of gameplay.

If you are looking for a new Wii game for your kids, or yourself, I highly recommend this game!

Stuff and Things

I haven't had much time for crafty things, but I have been busy.  Here are are few of the things that have been keeping my attention:

I've been reading Barbara Kingsolver's Pigs in Heaven and enjoying it thoroughly. Although it took a while for me to get engaged in the story, I'm now completely caught up in the lives of Taylor, Turtle, and all the other wonderful characters Kingsolver has created.

I've been playing a number of video games, including the new and highly addictive Picross 3D for Nintendo DS. If you love puzzles, this is a must have.

And of course I've been anticipating the LOST series finale. Sad but excited to see how it all ends.

Three Things

Three things are taking up all my free time lately:

1. Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes for Nintendo DS

This puzzle game is so fun that I cannot stop playing it. I have even been dreaming about linking my "armies" to make combos. If you love games like Puzzle Quest or Bejeweled Twist, you'll easily get hooked on this game.

2. Python Programming Language -- I first learned to program in BASIC when I was around 10 on a TRS-80 from Radio Shack. I learned C on my own, C++ at DePaul, Java and now Python on my own. Python is so easy that it's messing with my mind. (Thanks, for recommending it Theresa!) I've been using the O'Reilly Book, as well as a nice online tutorial.

3. Neil Gaiman's Stardust

This book is a fairy tale for grown-ups and I am flying through it and enjoying it thoroughly.

Other than that I've been baking banana bread, watching LOST, and trying to get healthy & pain free. I feel like getting back to crafting, so perhaps something to share later in the week.

How Atari Changed my Life

Did you play Pong?  How about Pac Man?  Or here's one for you -- Yar's Revenge.  (My babysitter had this one and would bring it over and let me play it sometimes -- so awesome!)

My uncle was an electronics fanatic.  He introduced me to Atari which we played on his huge projection TV -- the projector was bigger than me and the screen was enormous for the late 70's early 80's.  (He also introduced me to computer programming, but that's a story for another day.)  He later gave me that Atari system and I played it for years and years.

Enter NES -- The Nintendo Entertainment System.  After I played Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda and Metroid, there was no turning back.  I have purchased each of the new Nintendo gaming systems as they hit the market, and spent many hours playing my favorites.

For the last few years, I've played the Nintendo DS (then DSlite and now DSi ) religiously.  I have a few games...

Okay, I confess, this isn't all the DS games I have, and about twice a year I sell the ones that I can live without on eBay, but this is the majority of the stash. 

I'm sure there are other gamers from my generation out there.  I can't be the only one who was sucked in my Atari back in the day.  So, I'm going to do what I said I would do ages ago and begin reviewing video games, focusing on DS and Wii games.

Are you a gamer?  What are your favorite systems?  Games?  (I've been tempted to get a PSP, but have restrained myself.  Anyone have any thoughts?)

Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure

Can't post, playing Henry Hatsworth in the Puzzling Adventure. It is so awesome -- like Super Mario and Tetris all rolled into one.

I love this...

I'm a huge video gamer -- seriously. I play every day and my all time favorite games are the Legend of Zelda games. So I found this video incredibly entertaining.

Yes, I'm a geek and proud of it.

Driving in the mountains is just like playing Mario Kart

As we were driving through the mountains last week, Maddie kept commenting how it was just like playing Mario Kart on the Wii -- which was my Mother's Day gift (along with some very pretty roses that Maddie picked out for me).

I am a gamer -- I've had every Nintendo system that ever came out (except a few of the weird GameBoy variations) and I play Nintendo DS every day.  Maddie is following in my footsteps, but Pete was never really into these things until the Wii entered our home.  (My Christmas gift the year it came out -- Yes, Pete stood in lines and tried to get one for me.  Poor guy!)  Now we all play together and I think that Mario Kart has been the best game so far for family fun.  I highly recommend it for the gamers and non-gamers in your family as it is so much more interactive than having your kids sitting around playing game by themselves and it's not violent (yeah for non-violent video games!)

Anyone tried the Wii Fit?  I'm so curious as it seem like something that would be right up my alley if it functions well.

The Legend of Zelda -- Phantom Hourglass

Sorry, no time to post.  I'll be busy playing this for the rest of the day:

Woo-hoo!!

Is there anyone else out that likes to play Nintendo DS or Wii games?  I'm thinking of reviewing a bunch of games here -- ya know, from the *ahem* older, female perspective.  I'm a DS addict and play every day -- seriously.