4th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event)
The Prompt: What was your favorite toy as a child?
Before getting into the subject at hand, let me say hello to my recent followers. It’s been very refreshing to join the WordPress platform and connect with friends both old and new. I previously hosted my blog on a platform that didn’t support commenting and it sometimes felt like I was posting to the ether. While I write for myself, I share for human connection. It’s a nice change to see the engagement here and I look forward to continuing to get to know each of you.
Ok, now let’s get down to business. Favorite toy, huh? Not the most stimulating of prompts to be honest, but the first three were great so I’ll forgive the WordPress team for not having 31 winners all lined up for the month. Besides you never know the stories that can come out from even the most pedestrian questions. There is also the possibility that by analyzing our favorite toys we might be able to identify the serial killer among us (there’s always at least one, right?). I’m not sure how exactly to decode the linkage between how we play and how we kill, but it’s an interesting thought experiment. And in case you were wondering…NO, I’m not a serial killer. Honest. Seriously. I was just joking (doth he protest too much)? I promise it was just one time…
Um, where was I? Ah yes, favorite toy. I’ve thought a lot about this (over the past five minutes while on a murderous tangent) and I have to go with Nintendo Classic Super Mario Brothers. It was a late entry as I first got the system when I was a junior in high school. I bought it second hand from a colleague at the movie theater I worked at. I’d never had a video game system (although I’d played Atari when visiting my dad). I think it was the first time that I spent my hard earned cash ($3.25 an hour was the rate at the time; minimum-wage) on something that was for pure fun.
There were also special circumstances that led to the purchase and the enjoyment. I happened to be grounded half-way through my 16th year (and it lasted all the way through my 17th year – yes, I really did F-up that badly. It’s a story for another time). Being grounded meant I wasn’t wasting my money on getting into trouble anymore…and it meant I desperately needed something to do in all my free time. It was the perfect recipe for an addictive video game experience and Mario came to the rescue.
I played that thing for a year before I finally completed the game. With Princess Peach in my arms I simultaneously celebrated the success and mourned the loss of further adventure. It’s just not the same replaying a game you’ve already completed.
I tried playing again decades later with my kids but it was too hard to go back to the limited lives scenario of the classic game. I think my kids lasted about twenty minutes before giving up and going back to the Wii. Despite the lack of replay value (for me), I still choose it as my favorite toy. Anything that can occupy a teenage boy for a year that doesn’t get him into trouble is pretty impressive in my book.
That’s all for today.
Be well,
Monty
- Dear Monty1st blahg for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The prompt: What advice would you give to your teenage self? Dear Monty, You don’t know me, but IContinue reading “Dear Monty”
- Road Trip!2nd blahg for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What is a road trip you would love to take? I love a good road trip.Continue reading “Road Trip!”
- Getting Uncomfortable3rd post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: Write about the last time you left your comfort zone. Hmm. I’ve got to think about thisContinue reading “Getting Uncomfortable”
- Let’s Play!4th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What was your favorite toy as a child? Before getting into the subject at hand, letContinue reading “Let’s Play!”
- Wishful Thinking5th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event). The Prompt: What is something you wish you knew how to do? There are quite a few waysContinue reading “Wishful Thinking”
- An Inspired Post6th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: Who is someone that inspires you and why? Oooooooh! I really set myself up with theContinue reading “An Inspired Post”
- Seriously Unserious7th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What makes you laugh? Answer: Me. And I mean that seriously. Seriously Unserious (a serious essayContinue reading “Seriously Unserious”
- Discovering Hope8th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What do you like most about your writing? Ok, this time I’m going to have toContinue reading “Discovering Hope”
- An Uninspired Post9th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What do people incorrectly assume about you? Well, sh*t. I’ve been on a role (in myContinue reading “An Uninspired Post”
- Sun, Happiness, Coffee, Writing & Gratitude10th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What are five things you’re grateful for today? 1) The morning sun. While it’s not aContinue reading “Sun, Happiness, Coffee, Writing & Gratitude”
- Living Courageously11th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What does it mean to live boldly? First let’s get grounded… Boldly: (1) in a confidentContinue reading “Living Courageously”
- Speechless12th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What emoji(s) do you like to use. I make my own. How I first felt whenContinue reading “Speechless”
- Weird Science13th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What does your ideal day look like. The Answer: Frictionless. I dedicate this post to allContinue reading “Weird Science”
- The 6am Job Interview14th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: Write about a challenge you faced and overcame. Facing challenges, overcoming some, learning from all, hasContinue reading “The 6am Job Interview”
- 1001 Life Lessons…15th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What is a life lesson you feel everyone can benefit from learning? The Answer: Always includeContinue reading “1001 Life Lessons…”
- A Call for Humanity16th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What is a cause that you are passionate about and why? Humanity: Compassion, Empathy and Kindness.Continue reading “A Call for Humanity”
- Slo-Mo Man17th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What is a superpower you’d love to have? When I saw this prompt come in IContinue reading “Slo-Mo Man”
- To Be (Read) or Not to Be (Read)18th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What book is next on your reading list? I’ve been a bit slow on reading everContinue reading “To Be (Read) or Not to Be (Read)”
- The Night Train19th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: Write something mysterious. Well, this is quite the turn. Write something mysterious, huh? No query. NotContinue reading “The Night Train”
- A Photo of a Photo20th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What is your favorite photo you’ve ever taken? Um, “ever”??? Let’s get reasonable. How about myContinue reading “A Photo of a Photo”
- Past Present Future21st post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: If you could, what year would you time travel to and why? Ah. A classic topicContinue reading “Past Present Future”
- Serenity, Courage, Wisdom22nd post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What is your favorite quote and why? My Answer: The serenity prayer because… Be well, Monty
- Dear Father,23rd post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: Interview a fictional character. I’m stretching this prompt a bit, but this is what I feelContinue reading “Dear Father,”
- Forgotten Dreams24th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: Write about a dream you remember. My Answer: … Be well, Monty
- I Don’t Feel Strong25th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: Write about what makes you feel strong. I don’t feel strong. At least not the strongContinue reading “I Don’t Feel Strong”
- Self Love26th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What is your favorite part about yourself? What a strange question. Am I to dissect myselfContinue reading “Self Love”
- Chatters & Grumps27th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: Where do you go when you need solitude? Another weird question. Um. I go where noContinue reading “Chatters & Grumps”
- Monty Gets Musical28th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: What is on your music playlist right now? Oh, we really seem to be ending thisContinue reading “Monty Gets Musical”
- Words Matter29th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: How are you changing the world? One word at a time. Be well, Monty
- Under the Solstice Sun30th post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: Describe yourself as a tree. Under the Solstice Sun Stripped naked; Discarded garments scattered under soiledContinue reading “Under the Solstice Sun”
- Missing You31st post for #bloganuary (a WordPress event) The Prompt: How do you feel when you look at the stars? Be well, Monty
Monty’s Blahg 
Okies so now I just NEED to know what you did to get grounded for an entire year? And to actually have the follow through on it! And like how “grounded” were you grounded? “Home/school/bread/water” type grounded or were there some special passes for things? Please write this in a post so that I can have answers to all my questions haha
We had Nintendo as well, but I was never really into it. It’s nice to read a few of the posts from people in different time zones because I am still trying to figure out my favourite toy…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha. Ok. Ok. I promise a follow-up to address your questions. I just need to think of good way to share the story. But I can say the grounding was serious. School/Work/Home. That’s it. I was given the choice to abide or leave home. I was a bit wild at the time but not stupid. I agreed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ooooooo daaannnnnngggggg! Cant wait to read all about it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Favourite toy was a very cute little rabbit with a carrot sewn to it’s paws. I think it was still in my room when I left home to go to uni. Then it vanished. I could not face asking my parents what happened to it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh no! Perhaps bunny went out to play and got lost? That’s what my mom told me when my kitten disappeared while I was away *cry*
LikeLike
I think my favorite toy or toys were Dolls! I loved playing house and being mommy to them. I was even in a magazine ad with one. (I should Post about that). I think Barbie was also really fun. I collect Dolls now. Mainly Madame Alexander Dolls. Unfortunately, I was never blessed with actual children of my own.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for sharing. I was actually a bit scared of dolls. I had an aunt that collected them and had them all over their house on shelves and in display cabinets. They were forbidden to ever be touched so they just seemed to stare at me. I found it very creepy the few times I had to sleep in THEIR room. Haha.
LikeLike