INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (8934,1,'2012-01-04 21:24:27','2012-01-05 04:24:27','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-683/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8892\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-8892\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC230003-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in 2011, I formed a <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/25/day-364-would-you-like-to-join-my-wishing-club/\" target=\"_blank\">Wishing Club/Book Club</a></strong> and hosted an off-off-Martha-Stewart <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/20/let-me-entertain-you-although-id-rather-you-entertain-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Holiday Tea</a></strong>.  (After reading that post, my dear cousin, Rhonda, actually commended me on my tea hosting skills.  This thoughtful yet obviously nepotistic compliment nearly made me snort my cappuccino out of my nose.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs promised, today I present to you Act Three:  Wishes for 2012.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur Wishing Club decided to mimic the ritual performed by <strong><em><a href=\"http://www.changinghands.com/book/9780812975505\" target=\"_blank\">The Wishing Year</a></em></strong> author, Noelle Oxenhandler.  As part of her wildly wishful year, Noelle -- a self-proclaimed skeptic -- succumbs to the pleas of her artist friend and builds a shrine to manifest her wishes.  (Noelle and her friend live in Northern California, so the woo-woo factor is high.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIntrigued by the woo-woo, my Wishing Club agreed to shrines or -- for those of us less artistically inclined (that would be me) -- vision boards.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you are familiar with The Most Woo-Woo Movie of All Time aka <a href=\"http://thesecret.tv/\"><strong><em>The Secret</em></strong></a>, then you are familiar with vision boards.  You hunt for images of that you want to manifest in your life -- mansion, sports car, hot husband/wife, 2.2 kids -- post them on your vision board, and wait for them to miraculously appear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPersonally, I thought the movie was a bunch of crock-a-doodle-doo.  Its obsession with materialism was tiresome.  And are we really to believe that \"if we think it, it will come\"?  We don\'t have to set goals, take personal responsibility, and work towards them?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Then why aren\'t we all living the life and sipping mai tais on a beach in Hawaii?  (You\'ve had that dream, right?)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though I, too, am a skeptic, I <em>do</em> like the thought of Putting It Out There (as Noelle puts it) through a shrine or vision board to remind us of our dreams on a daily basis.  Then we might actually get off our bums and take a step or two towards those dreams.  And if Lady Luck happens to smile, then good for us!  We all deserve a little bit of woo-woo luck every now and then.  We\'ve earned it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Wishing Club gathered magazines, scissors, glue, push pins and scrapbooking decor, and met in the living room for our woo-woo art project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Wishing Club Hot Tip:</strong>  When purchasing glue for your Vision Board Building, make sure to have your ID handy if, for whatever reason, you are called to buy rubber cement.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8889\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thanks for the laughs and the PSA, Tiffany! :-D\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-680/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8889\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8889 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100018-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGlue-sniffing is for kids!  Our Wishing Club is more than of age to enjoy legal kicks at our party.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-681/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8890\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8890\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100017-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a little bit of book discussion and a lot of socializing, we started to envision our wishes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecky Jo, practically perfect in every way, built a real shrine.  Isn\'t it darling?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8883\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Becky Jo dreams of a cozy cottage vacation home in her home state of Minnesota.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-679/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8883\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8883 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100014-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecky Jo was the only one to complete her project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany of the women felt they weren\'t ready to begin.  They were unclear as to what to wish for.  Others were afraid to wish.  If life is running fairly smoothly, could you hex yourself by wishing?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left them alone with their wishing struggles.  Noelle had similar internal conflicts.  Wishing is a very private affair.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, on the other hand, have absolutely no issues with wishing.  Dreamers are in a constant state of wishing, are they not?  I simply have issues with completing a vision board when I\'m sadly attempting to hostess with the mostess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>On an interesting woo-woo of a side note:</strong>  When <em>The Secret</em> was popular 5 or so years ago, I built a vision board with a friend.  Technically, I created two vision boards because I couldn\'t fit all of my dreams on just one.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI located the old, dusty boards in my office closet and brought them down to reinvent them at the party.  I was amazed at how many of these former \"wishes\" materialized:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>my job at Noble Publishing Superpower</li>\r\n	<li>a dog similar in look to Little Miss B</li>\r\n	<li>my first passport</li>\r\n	<li>a man and a woman walking arm in arm -- <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/13/gifts-from-my-man-from-far-far-away/\" target=\"_blank\">the man\'s arm loaded with bags of gifts.</a> </strong> (This was a first for me.  I kind of liked it.  I could get used to this.  :-D )</li>\r\n	<li>books with my name on them.  (I don\'t have a published book.  Yet.  But I\'m self-published on this blog.  I didn\'t even know what a blog was when I made those vision boards!  WOW, how life changes!)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI finished my 2012 vision board a few days later.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8891\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Want to see a supersized, readable version of my vision board? Click the photo once, wait for the photo to open in a separate page, then click once again.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-682/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8891\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\" wp-image-8891    \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC230006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have my vision board out as a personal reminder and inspiration.  Woo-woo, if you\'d like to come my way, that\'s cool!  In the meantime, I\'m working on my <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/2011-annual-review-the-beginning/\" target=\"_blank\">Annual Review a là Chris Guillebeau.</a></strong>  The Review involves reflection, wishing, goal setting, and follow through.  Wishes and dreams are too important to be left entirely to chance.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: large;\"><strong>What are <em>your</em> wishes for 2012?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI leave you with my favorite quote from <em>The Wishing Year</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But what I do know is this:  our wishes do come true, <em>mais il faut s\'èlancer dans la vie.  </em>You have to throw yourself into life.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBest wishes for 2012!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Wish with Me.','','inherit','open','open','','8876-revision-47','','','2012-01-04 21:24:27','2012-01-05 04:24:27','',8876,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/04/8876-revision-47/',0,'revision','',0),(8935,1,'2012-01-04 21:25:59','2012-01-05 04:25:59','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-683/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8892\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-8892\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC230003-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in 2011, I formed a <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/25/day-364-would-you-like-to-join-my-wishing-club/\" target=\"_blank\">Wishing Club/Book Club</a></strong> and hosted an off-off-Martha-Stewart <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/20/let-me-entertain-you-although-id-rather-you-entertain-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Holiday Tea</a></strong>.  (After reading that post, my dear cousin, Rhonda, actually commended me on my tea hosting skills.  This thoughtful yet obviously nepotistic compliment nearly made me snort my cappuccino out of my nose.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs promised, today I present to you Act Three:  Wishes for 2012.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur Wishing Club decided to mimic the ritual performed by <strong><em><a href=\"http://www.changinghands.com/book/9780812975505\" target=\"_blank\">The Wishing Year</a></em></strong> author, Noelle Oxenhandler.  As part of her wildly wishful year, Noelle -- a self-proclaimed skeptic -- succumbs to the pleas of her artist friend and builds a shrine to manifest her wishes.  (Noelle and her friend live in Northern California, so the woo-woo factor is high.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIntrigued by the woo-woo, my Wishing Club agreed to shrines or -- for those of us less artistically inclined (that would be me) -- vision boards.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you are familiar with The Most Woo-Woo Movie of All Time aka <a href=\"http://thesecret.tv/\"><strong><em>The Secret</em></strong></a>, then you are familiar with vision boards.  You hunt for images of that you want to manifest in your life -- mansion, sports car, hot husband/wife, 2.2 kids -- post them on your vision board, and wait for them to miraculously appear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPersonally, I thought the movie was a bunch of crock-a-doodle-doo.  Its obsession with materialism was tiresome.  And are we really to believe that \"if we think it, it will come\"?  We don\'t have to set goals, take personal responsibility, and work towards them?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Then why aren\'t we all living the life and sipping mai tais on a beach in Hawaii?  (You\'ve had that dream, right?)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though I, too, am a skeptic, I <em>do</em> like the thought of Putting It Out There (as Noelle puts it) through a shrine or vision board to remind us of our dreams on a daily basis.  Then we might actually get off our bums and take a step or two towards those dreams.  And if Lady Luck happens to smile, then good for us!  We all deserve a little bit of woo-woo luck every now and then.  We\'ve earned it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Wishing Club gathered magazines, scissors, glue, push pins and scrapbooking decor, and met in the living room for our woo-woo art project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Wishing Club Hot Tip:</strong>  </span>When purchasing glue for your Vision Board Building, make sure to have your ID handy if, for whatever reason, you are called to buy rubber cement.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8889\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thanks for the laughs and the PSA, Tiffany! :-D\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-680/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8889\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8889 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100018-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGlue-sniffing is for kids!  Our Wishing Club is more than of age to enjoy legal kicks at our party.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-681/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8890\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8890\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100017-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a little bit of book discussion and a lot of socializing, we started to envision our wishes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecky Jo, practically perfect in every way, built a real shrine.  Isn\'t it darling?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8883\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Becky Jo dreams of a cozy cottage vacation home in her home state of Minnesota.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-679/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8883\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8883 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100014-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecky Jo was the only one to complete her project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany of the women felt they weren\'t ready to begin.  They were unclear as to what to wish for.  Others were afraid to wish.  If life is running fairly smoothly, could you hex yourself by wishing?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left them alone with their wishing struggles.  Noelle had similar internal conflicts.  Wishing is a very private affair.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, on the other hand, have absolutely no issues with wishing.  Dreamers are in a constant state of wishing, are they not?  I simply have issues with completing a vision board when I\'m sadly attempting to hostess with the mostess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>On an interesting woo-woo of a side note:</strong>  </span>When <em>The Secret</em> was popular 5 or so years ago, I built a vision board with a friend.  Technically, I created two vision boards because I couldn\'t fit all of my dreams on just one.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI located the old, dusty boards in my office closet and brought them down to reinvent them at the party.  I was amazed at how many of these former \"wishes\" materialized:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>my job at Noble Publishing Superpower</li>\r\n	<li>a dog similar in look to Little Miss B</li>\r\n	<li>my first passport</li>\r\n	<li>a man and a woman walking arm in arm -- <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/13/gifts-from-my-man-from-far-far-away/\" target=\"_blank\">the man\'s arm loaded with bags of gifts.</a> </strong> (This was a first for me.  I kind of liked it.  I could get used to this.  :-D )</li>\r\n	<li>books with my name on them.  (I don\'t have a published book.  Yet.  But I\'m self-published on this blog.  I didn\'t even know what a blog was when I made those vision boards!  WOW, how life changes!)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI finished my 2012 vision board a few days later.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8891\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Want to see a supersized, readable version of my vision board? Click the photo once, wait for the photo to open in a separate page, then click once again.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-682/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8891\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\" wp-image-8891    \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC230006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have my vision board out as a personal reminder and inspiration.  Woo-woo, if you\'d like to come my way, that\'s cool!  In the meantime, I\'m working on my <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/2011-annual-review-the-beginning/\" target=\"_blank\">Annual Review a là Chris Guillebeau.</a></strong>  The Review involves reflection, wishing, goal setting, and follow through.  Wishes and dreams are too important to be left entirely to chance.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: large;\"><strong>What are <em>your</em> wishes for 2012?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI leave you with my favorite quote from <em>The Wishing Year</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But what I do know is this:  our wishes do come true, <em>mais il faut s\'èlancer dans la vie.  </em>You have to throw yourself into life.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBest wishes for 2012!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Wish with Me.','','inherit','open','open','','8876-revision-48','','','2012-01-04 21:25:59','2012-01-05 04:25:59','',8876,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/04/8876-revision-48/',0,'revision','',0),(8936,1,'2012-01-04 21:25:59','2012-01-05 04:25:59','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-683/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8892\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-8892\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC230003-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in 2011, I formed a <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/25/day-364-would-you-like-to-join-my-wishing-club/\" target=\"_blank\">Wishing Club/Book Club</a></strong> and hosted an off-off-Martha-Stewart <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/20/let-me-entertain-you-although-id-rather-you-entertain-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Holiday Tea</a></strong>.  (After reading that post, my dear cousin, Rhonda, actually commended me on my tea hosting skills.  This thoughtful yet obviously nepotistic compliment nearly made me snort my cappuccino out of my nose.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs promised, today I present to you Act Three:  Wishes for 2012.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur Wishing Club decided to mimic the ritual performed by <strong><em><a href=\"http://www.changinghands.com/book/9780812975505\" target=\"_blank\">The Wishing Year</a></em></strong> author, Noelle Oxenhandler.  As part of her wildly wishful year, Noelle -- a self-proclaimed skeptic -- succumbs to the pleas of her artist friend and builds a shrine to manifest her wishes.  (Noelle and her friend live in Northern California, so the woo-woo factor is high.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIntrigued by the woo-woo, my Wishing Club agreed to shrines or -- for those of us less artistically inclined (that would be me) -- vision boards.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you are familiar with The Most Woo-Woo Movie of All Time aka <a href=\"http://thesecret.tv/\"><strong><em>The Secret</em></strong></a>, then you are familiar with vision boards.  You hunt for images of that you want to manifest in your life -- mansion, sports car, hot husband/wife, 2.2 kids -- post them on your vision board, and wait for them to miraculously appear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPersonally, I thought the movie was a bunch of crock-a-doodle-doo.  Its obsession with materialism was tiresome.  And are we really to believe that \"if we think it, it will come\"?  We don\'t have to set goals, take personal responsibility, and work towards them?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Then why aren\'t we all living the life and sipping mai tais on a beach in Hawaii?  (You\'ve had that dream, right?)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though I, too, am a skeptic, I <em>do</em> like the thought of Putting It Out There (as Noelle puts it) through a shrine or vision board to remind us of our dreams on a daily basis.  Then we might actually get off our bums and take a step or two towards those dreams.  And if Lady Luck happens to smile, then good for us!  We all deserve a little bit of woo-woo luck every now and then.  We\'ve earned it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Wishing Club gathered magazines, scissors, glue, push pins and scrapbooking decor, and met in the living room for our woo-woo art project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Wishing Club Hot Tip:</strong>  </span>When purchasing glue for your Vision Board Building, make sure to have your ID handy if, for whatever reason, you are called to buy rubber cement.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8889\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thanks for the laughs and the PSA, Tiffany! :-D\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-680/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8889\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8889 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100018-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGlue-sniffing is for kids!  Our Wishing Club is more than of age to enjoy legal kicks at our party.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-681/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8890\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8890\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100017-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a little bit of book discussion and a lot of socializing, we started to envision our wishes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecky Jo, practically perfect in every way, built a real shrine.  Isn\'t it darling?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8883\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Becky Jo dreams of a cozy cottage vacation home in her home state of Minnesota.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-679/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8883\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8883 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100014-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecky Jo was the only one to complete her project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany of the women felt they weren\'t ready to begin.  They were unclear as to what to wish for.  Others were afraid to wish.  If life is running fairly smoothly, could you hex yourself by wishing?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left them alone with their wishing struggles.  Noelle had similar internal conflicts.  Wishing is a very private affair.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, on the other hand, have absolutely no issues with wishing.  Dreamers are in a constant state of wishing, are they not?  I simply have issues with completing a vision board when I\'m sadly attempting to hostess with the mostess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>On an interesting woo-woo of a side note:</strong>  </span>When <em>The Secret</em> was popular 5 or so years ago, I built a vision board with a friend.  Technically, I created two vision boards because I couldn\'t fit all of my dreams on just one.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI located the old, dusty boards in my office closet and brought them down to reinvent them at the party.  I was amazed at how many of these former \"wishes\" materialized:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>my job at Noble Publishing Superpower</li>\r\n	<li>a dog similar in look to Little Miss B</li>\r\n	<li>my first passport</li>\r\n	<li>a man and a woman walking arm in arm -- <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/13/gifts-from-my-man-from-far-far-away/\" target=\"_blank\">the man\'s arm loaded with bags of gifts.</a> </strong> (This was a first for me.  I kind of liked it.  I could get used to this.  :-D )</li>\r\n	<li>books with my name on them.  (I don\'t have a published book.  Yet.  But I\'m self-published on this blog.  I didn\'t even know what a blog was when I made those vision boards!  WOW, how life changes!)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI finished my 2012 vision board a few days later.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8891\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Want to see a supersized, readable version of my vision board? Click the photo once, wait for the photo to open in a separate page, then click once again.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-682/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8891\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\" wp-image-8891    \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC230006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have my vision board out as a personal reminder and inspiration.  Woo-woo, if you\'d like to come my way, that\'s cool!  In the meantime, I\'m working on my <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/2011-annual-review-the-beginning/\" target=\"_blank\">Annual Review a là Chris Guillebeau.</a></strong>  The Review involves reflection, wishing, goal setting, and follow through.  Wishes and dreams are too important to be left entirely to chance.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: large;\"><strong>What are <em>your</em> wishes for 2012?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI leave you with my favorite quote from <em>The Wishing Year</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But what I do know is this:  our wishes do come true, <em>mais il faut s\'èlancer dans la vie.  </em>You have to throw yourself into life.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBest wishes for 2012!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Wish with Me.','','inherit','open','open','','8876-revision-49','','','2012-01-04 21:25:59','2012-01-05 04:25:59','',8876,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/04/8876-revision-49/',0,'revision','',0),(8937,1,'2012-01-04 21:26:05','2012-01-05 04:26:05','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-683/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8892\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-8892\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC230003-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in 2011, I formed a <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/25/day-364-would-you-like-to-join-my-wishing-club/\" target=\"_blank\">Wishing Club/Book Club</a></strong> and hosted an off-off-Martha-Stewart <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/20/let-me-entertain-you-although-id-rather-you-entertain-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Holiday Tea</a></strong>.  (After reading that post, my dear cousin, Rhonda, actually commended me on my tea hosting skills.  This thoughtful yet obviously nepotistic compliment nearly made me snort my cappuccino out of my nose.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs promised, today I present to you Act Three:  Wishes for 2012.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur Wishing Club decided to mimic the ritual performed by <strong><em><a href=\"http://www.changinghands.com/book/9780812975505\" target=\"_blank\">The Wishing Year</a></em></strong> author, Noelle Oxenhandler.  As part of her wildly wishful year, Noelle -- a self-proclaimed skeptic -- succumbs to the pleas of her artist friend and builds a shrine to manifest her wishes.  (Noelle and her friend live in Northern California, so the woo-woo factor is high.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIntrigued by the woo-woo, my Wishing Club agreed to shrines or -- for those of us less artistically inclined (that would be me) -- vision boards.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you are familiar with The Most Woo-Woo Movie of All Time aka <a href=\"http://thesecret.tv/\"><strong><em>The Secret</em></strong></a>, then you are familiar with vision boards.  You hunt for images of that you want to manifest in your life -- mansion, sports car, hot husband/wife, 2.2 kids -- post them on your vision board, and wait for them to miraculously appear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPersonally, I thought the movie was a bunch of crock-a-doodle-doo.  Its obsession with materialism was tiresome.  And are we really to believe that \"if we think it, it will come\"?  We don\'t have to set goals, take personal responsibility, and work towards them?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Then why aren\'t we all living the life and sipping mai tais on a beach in Hawaii?  (You\'ve had that dream, right?)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though I, too, am a skeptic, I <em>do</em> like the thought of Putting It Out There (as Noelle puts it) through a shrine or vision board to remind us of our dreams on a daily basis.  Then we might actually get off our bums and take a step or two towards those dreams.  And if Lady Luck happens to smile, then good for us!  We all deserve a little bit of woo-woo luck every now and then.  We\'ve earned it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Wishing Club gathered magazines, scissors, glue, push pins and scrapbooking decor, and met in the living room for our woo-woo art project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Wishing Club Hot Tip:</strong>  </span>When purchasing glue for your Vision Board Building, make sure to have your ID handy if, for whatever reason, you are called to buy rubber cement.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8889\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thanks for the laughs and the PSA, Tiffany! :-D\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-680/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8889\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8889 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100018-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGlue-sniffing is for kids!  Our Wishing Club is more than of age to enjoy legal kicks at our party.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-681/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8890\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8890\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100017-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a little bit of book discussion and a lot of socializing, we started to envision our wishes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecky Jo, practically perfect in every way, built a real shrine.  Isn\'t it darling?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8883\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Becky Jo dreams of a cozy cottage vacation home in her home state of Minnesota.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-679/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8883\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8883 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100014-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecky Jo was the only one to complete her project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany of the women felt they weren\'t ready to begin.  They were unclear as to what to wish for.  Others were afraid to wish.  If life is running fairly smoothly, could you hex yourself by wishing?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left them alone with their wishing struggles.  Noelle had similar internal conflicts.  Wishing is a very private affair.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, on the other hand, have absolutely no issues with wishing.  Dreamers are in a constant state of wishing, are they not?  I simply have issues with completing a vision board when I\'m sadly attempting to hostess with the mostess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>On an interesting woo-woo of a side note:</strong>  </span>When <em>The Secret</em> was popular 5 or so years ago, I built a vision board with a friend.  Technically, I created two vision boards because I couldn\'t fit all of my dreams on just one.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI located the old, dusty boards in my office closet and brought them down to reinvent them at the party.  I was amazed at how many of these former \"wishes\" materialized:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>my job at Noble Publishing Superpower</li>\r\n	<li>a dog similar in look to Little Miss B</li>\r\n	<li>my first passport</li>\r\n	<li>a man and a woman walking arm in arm -- <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/13/gifts-from-my-man-from-far-far-away/\" target=\"_blank\">the man\'s arm loaded with bags of gifts.</a> </strong> (This was a first for me.  I kind of liked it.  I could get used to this.  :-D )</li>\r\n	<li>books with my name on them.  (I don\'t have a published book.  Yet.  But I\'m self-published on this blog.  I didn\'t even know what a blog was when I made those vision boards!  WOW, how life changes!)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI finished my 2012 vision board a few days later.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8891\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Want to see a supersized, readable version of my vision board? Click the photo once, wait for the photo to open in a separate page, then click once again.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-682/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8891\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\" wp-image-8891    \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC230006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have my vision board out as a personal reminder and inspiration.  Woo-woo, if you\'d like to come my way, that\'s cool!  In the meantime, I\'m working on my <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/2011-annual-review-the-beginning/\" target=\"_blank\">Annual Review a là Chris Guillebeau.</a></strong>  The Review involves reflection, wishing, goal setting, and follow through.  Wishes and dreams are too important to be left entirely to chance.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: large;\"><strong>What are <em>your</em> wishes for 2012?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI leave you with my favorite quote from <em>The Wishing Year</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But what I do know is this:  our wishes do come true, <em>mais il faut s\'èlancer dans la vie.  </em>You have to throw yourself into life.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBest wishes for 2012!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Wish with Me.','','inherit','open','open','','8876-revision-50','','','2012-01-04 21:26:05','2012-01-05 04:26:05','',8876,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/04/8876-revision-50/',0,'revision','',0),(8938,1,'2012-01-04 21:26:05','2012-01-05 04:26:05','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-683/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8892\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-8892\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC230003-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in 2011, I formed a <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/25/day-364-would-you-like-to-join-my-wishing-club/\" target=\"_blank\">Wishing Club/Book Club</a></strong> and hosted an off-off-Martha-Stewart <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/20/let-me-entertain-you-although-id-rather-you-entertain-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Holiday Tea</a></strong>.  (After reading that post, my dear cousin, Rhonda, actually commended me on my tea hosting skills.  This thoughtful yet obviously nepotistic compliment nearly made me snort my cappuccino out of my nose.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs promised, today I present to you Act Three:  Wishes for 2012.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur Wishing Club decided to mimic the ritual performed by <strong><em><a href=\"http://www.changinghands.com/book/9780812975505\" target=\"_blank\">The Wishing Year</a></em></strong> author, Noelle Oxenhandler.  As part of her wildly wishful year, Noelle -- a self-proclaimed skeptic -- succumbs to the pleas of her artist friend and builds a shrine to manifest her wishes.  (Noelle and her friend live in Northern California, so the woo-woo factor is high.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIntrigued by the woo-woo, my Wishing Club agreed to shrines or -- for those of us less artistically inclined (that would be me) -- vision boards.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you are familiar with The Most Woo-Woo Movie of All Time aka <a href=\"http://thesecret.tv/\"><strong><em>The Secret</em></strong></a>, then you are familiar with vision boards.  You hunt for images of that you want to manifest in your life -- mansion, sports car, hot husband/wife, 2.2 kids -- post them on your vision board, and wait for them to miraculously appear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPersonally, I thought the movie was a bunch of crock-a-doodle-doo.  Its obsession with materialism was tiresome.  And are we really to believe that \"if we think it, it will come\"?  We don\'t have to set goals, take personal responsibility, and work towards them?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Then why aren\'t we all living the life and sipping mai tais on a beach in Hawaii?  (You\'ve had that dream, right?)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though I, too, am a skeptic, I <em>do</em> like the thought of Putting It Out There (as Noelle puts it) through a shrine or vision board to remind us of our dreams on a daily basis.  Then we might actually get off our bums and take a step or two towards those dreams.  And if Lady Luck happens to smile, then good for us!  We all deserve a little bit of woo-woo luck every now and then.  We\'ve earned it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Wishing Club gathered magazines, scissors, glue, push pins and scrapbooking decor, and met in the living room for our woo-woo art project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Wishing Club Hot Tip:</strong>  </span>When purchasing glue for your Vision Board Building, make sure to have your ID handy if, for whatever reason, you are called to buy rubber cement.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8889\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thanks for the laughs and the PSA, Tiffany! :-D\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-680/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8889\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8889 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100018-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGlue-sniffing is for kids!  Our Wishing Club is more than of age to enjoy legal kicks at our party.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-681/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8890\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8890\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100017-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a little bit of book discussion and a lot of socializing, we started to envision our wishes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecky Jo, practically perfect in every way, built a real shrine.  Isn\'t it darling?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8883\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Becky Jo dreams of a cozy cottage vacation home in her home state of Minnesota.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-679/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8883\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8883 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100014-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecky Jo was the only one to complete her project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany of the women felt they weren\'t ready to begin.  They were unclear as to what to wish for.  Others were afraid to wish.  If life is running fairly smoothly, could you hex yourself by wishing?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left them alone with their wishing struggles.  Noelle had similar internal conflicts.  Wishing is a very private affair.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, on the other hand, have absolutely no issues with wishing.  Dreamers are in a constant state of wishing, are they not?  I simply have issues with completing a vision board when I\'m sadly attempting to hostess with the mostess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>On an interesting woo-woo of a side note:</strong>  </span>When <em>The Secret</em> was popular 5 or so years ago, I built a vision board with a friend.  Technically, I created two vision boards because I couldn\'t fit all of my dreams on just one.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI located the old, dusty boards in my office closet and brought them down to reinvent them at the party.  I was amazed at how many of these former \"wishes\" materialized:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>my job at Noble Publishing Superpower</li>\r\n	<li>a dog similar in look to Little Miss B</li>\r\n	<li>my first passport</li>\r\n	<li>a man and a woman walking arm in arm -- <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/13/gifts-from-my-man-from-far-far-away/\" target=\"_blank\">the man\'s arm loaded with bags of gifts.</a> </strong> (This was a first for me.  I kind of liked it.  I could get used to this.  :-D )</li>\r\n	<li>books with my name on them.  (I don\'t have a published book.  Yet.  But I\'m self-published on this blog.  I didn\'t even know what a blog was when I made those vision boards!  WOW, how life changes!)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI finished my 2012 vision board a few days later.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8891\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Want to see a supersized, readable version of my vision board? Click the photo once, wait for the photo to open in a separate page, then click once again.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-682/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8891\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\" wp-image-8891    \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC230006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have my vision board out as a personal reminder and inspiration.  Woo-woo, if you\'d like to come my way, that\'s cool!  In the meantime, I\'m working on my <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/2011-annual-review-the-beginning/\" target=\"_blank\">Annual Review a là Chris Guillebeau.</a></strong>  The Review involves reflection, wishing, goal setting, and follow through.  Wishes and dreams are too important to be left entirely to chance.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: large;\"><strong>What are <em>your</em> wishes for 2012?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI leave you with my favorite quote from <em>The Wishing Year</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But what I do know is this:  our wishes do come true, <em>mais il faut s\'èlancer dans la vie.  </em>You have to throw yourself into life.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBest wishes for 2012!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Wish with Me.','','inherit','open','open','','8876-revision-51','','','2012-01-04 21:26:05','2012-01-05 04:26:05','',8876,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/04/8876-revision-51/',0,'revision','',0),(8939,1,'2012-01-05 20:10:24','2012-01-06 03:10:24','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-683/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8892\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-8892\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC230003-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>Back in 2011, I formed a <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/25/day-364-would-you-like-to-join-my-wishing-club/\" target=\"_blank\">Wishing Club/Book Club</a></strong> and hosted an off-off-Martha-Stewart <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/20/let-me-entertain-you-although-id-rather-you-entertain-me/\" target=\"_blank\">Holiday Tea</a></strong>.  (After reading that post, my dear cousin, Rhonda, actually commended me on my tea hosting skills.  This thoughtful yet obviously nepotistic compliment nearly made me snort my cappuccino out of my nose.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs promised, today I present to you Act Three:  Wishes for 2012.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur Wishing Club decided to mimic the ritual performed by <strong><em><a href=\"http://www.changinghands.com/book/9780812975505\" target=\"_blank\">The Wishing Year</a></em></strong> author, Noelle Oxenhandler.  As part of her wildly wishful year, Noelle -- a self-proclaimed skeptic -- succumbs to the pleas of her artist friend and builds a shrine to manifest her wishes.  (Noelle and her friend live in Northern California, so the woo-woo factor is high.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIntrigued by the woo-woo, my Wishing Club agreed to shrines or -- for those of us less artistically inclined (that would be me) -- vision boards.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you are familiar with The Most Woo-Woo Movie of All Time aka <a href=\"http://thesecret.tv/\"><strong><em>The Secret</em></strong></a>, then you are familiar with vision boards.  You hunt for images of that you want to manifest in your life -- mansion, sports car, hot husband/wife, 2.2 kids -- post them on your vision board, and wait for them to miraculously appear.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPersonally, I thought the movie was a bunch of crock-a-doodle-doo.  Its obsession with materialism was tiresome.  And are we really to believe that \"if we think it, it will come\"?  We don\'t have to set goals, take personal responsibility, and work towards them?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Then why aren\'t we all living the life and sipping mai tais on a beach in Hawaii?  (You\'ve had that dream, right?)</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though I, too, am a skeptic, I <em>do</em> like the thought of Putting It Out There (as Noelle puts it) through a shrine or vision board to remind us of our dreams on a daily basis.  Then we might actually get off our bums and take a step or two towards those dreams.  And if Lady Luck happens to smile, then good for us!  We all deserve a little bit of woo-woo luck every now and then.  We\'ve earned it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy Wishing Club gathered magazines, scissors, glue, push pins and scrapbooking decor, and met in the living room for our woo-woo art project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>Wishing Club Hot Tip:</strong>  </span>When purchasing glue for your Vision Board Building, make sure to have your ID handy if, for whatever reason, you are called to buy rubber cement.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8889\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Thanks for the laughs and the PSA, Tiffany! :-D\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-680/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8889\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8889 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100018-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nGlue-sniffing is for kids!  Our Wishing Club is more than of age to enjoy legal kicks at our party.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-681/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8890\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8890\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100017-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter a little bit of book discussion and a lot of socializing, we started to envision our wishes.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecky Jo, practically perfect in every way, built a real shrine.  Isn\'t it darling?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8883\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"225\" caption=\"Becky Jo dreams of a cozy cottage vacation home in her home state of Minnesota.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-679/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8883\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8883 \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC100014-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBecky Jo was the only one to complete her project.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMany of the women felt they weren\'t ready to begin.  They were unclear as to what to wish for.  Others were afraid to wish.  If life is running fairly smoothly, could you hex yourself by wishing?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI left them alone with their wishing struggles.  Noelle had similar internal conflicts.  Wishing is a very private affair.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI, on the other hand, have absolutely no issues with wishing.  Dreamers are in a constant state of wishing, are they not?  I simply have issues with completing a vision board when I\'m sadly attempting to hostess with the mostess.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080;\"><strong>On an interesting woo-woo of a side note:</strong>  </span>When <em>The Secret</em> was popular 5 or so years ago, I built a vision board with a friend.  Technically, I created two vision boards because I couldn\'t fit all of my dreams on just one.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI located the old, dusty boards in my office closet and brought them down to reinvent them at the party.  I was amazed at how many of these former \"wishes\" materialized:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<ul>\r\n	<li>my job at Noble Publishing Superpower</li>\r\n	<li>a dog similar in look to Little Miss B</li>\r\n	<li>my first passport</li>\r\n	<li>a man and a woman walking arm in arm -- <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/13/gifts-from-my-man-from-far-far-away/\" target=\"_blank\">the man\'s arm loaded with bags of gifts.</a> </strong> (This was a first for me.  I kind of liked it.  I could get used to this.  :-D )</li>\r\n	<li>books with my name on them.  (I don\'t have a published book.  Yet.  But I\'m self-published on this blog.  I didn\'t even know what a blog was when I made those vision boards!  WOW, how life changes!)</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI finished my 2012 vision board a few days later.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8891\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"Want to see a supersized, readable version of my 2012 vision board? Click the photo once, wait for the photo to open in a separate page, then click once again.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/wish-with-me/olympus-digital-camera-682/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8891\" target=\"_blank\"><img class=\" wp-image-8891     \" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/PC230006-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have my vision board out as a personal reminder and inspiration.  Woo-woo, if you\'d like to come my way, that\'s cool!  In the meantime, I\'m working on my <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/2011-annual-review-the-beginning/\" target=\"_blank\">Annual Review a là Chris Guillebeau.</a></strong>  The Review involves reflection, wishing, goal setting, and follow through.  Wishes and dreams are too important to be left entirely to chance.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #800080; font-size: large;\"><strong>What are <em>your</em> wishes for 2012?</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI leave you with my favorite quote from <em>The Wishing Year</em>.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n\"But what I do know is this:  our wishes do come true, <em>mais il faut s\'èlancer dans la vie.  </em>You have to throw yourself into life.\"\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBest wishes for 2012!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Wish with Me.','','inherit','open','open','','8876-revision-52','','','2012-01-05 20:10:24','2012-01-06 03:10:24','',8876,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/05/8876-revision-52/',0,'revision','',0),(8940,1,'2012-01-01 09:20:30','2012-01-01 16:20:30','&nbsp;\r\n<h4></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: large;\">365 or Bust!</span></h4>\r\nHerein lies the story of the year in which I had an <del>mid-life</del> existential crisis and took on an insane 365 day blog project.  You can locate all 365 days, spanning from September 2010 - October 2011 under the \"Archived Adventures\" section on the righthand side of the blog.\r\n<h4></h4>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h4></h4>\r\nYou might also get a kick out of the<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/27/extra-credit-day-366-top-10-most-curious/\" target=\"_blank\">Top 10 Most Curious</a></strong> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/30/lessons-learned-from-my-year-of-living-curiously/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lessons Learned from The Year of Living Curiously.</strong> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeptember 15, 2010\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h4></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span></p>\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\nI can live with that.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always sensed that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to flip out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with an \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words: </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left in me. \"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author </span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>INFJ</strong></a><strong>,</strong> so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\'s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.  It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Go ahead and make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  I may just take you up on your offer.  Wouldn\'t that be uber-cool?  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Better still -- maybe we could try these ideas together and create an entire tribe that exudes Late Bloomer Mojo.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be <a href=\"http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_muy_caliente_mean\" target=\"_blank\">muy caliente</a>!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                                                        -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','Chapter One:  The Year of Living Curiously ','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-46','','','2012-01-01 09:20:30','2012-01-01 16:20:30','',103,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/01/103-revision-46/',0,'revision','',0),(8941,1,'2012-01-07 16:23:26','2012-01-07 23:23:26','&nbsp;\r\n<h4></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: large;\">365 or Bust!</span></h4>\r\nHerein lies the story of the year in which I had an <del>mid-life</del> existential crisis and took on an insane 365 day blog project.  You can locate all 365 days, spanning from September 2010 - October 2011 under the \"Archived Adventures\" section on the righthand side of the blog.\r\n<h4></h4>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h4></h4>\r\nYou might also get a kick out of the<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/27/extra-credit-day-366-top-10-most-curious/\" target=\"_blank\">Top 10 Most Curious</a></strong> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/30/lessons-learned-from-my-year-of-living-curiously/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lessons Learned from The Year of Living Curiously.</strong> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>snazzy-archive</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeptember 15, 2010\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h4></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span></p>\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\nI can live with that.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always sensed that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to flip out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with an \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words: </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left in me. \"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author </span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>INFJ</strong></a><strong>,</strong> so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\'s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.  It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Go ahead and make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  I may just take you up on your offer.  Wouldn\'t that be uber-cool?  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Better still -- maybe we could try these ideas together and create an entire tribe that exudes Late Bloomer Mojo.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be <a href=\"http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_muy_caliente_mean\" target=\"_blank\">muy caliente</a>!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                                                        -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','Chapter One:  The Year of Living Curiously ','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-47','','','2012-01-07 16:23:26','2012-01-07 23:23:26','',103,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/07/103-revision-47/',0,'revision','',0),(8943,1,'2012-01-12 10:41:44','2012-01-12 17:41:44','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/playdate-1-just-dancing-fools/photo-5/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/playdate-1-just-dancing-fools/photo-3/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video game knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.  Based on my past video game history, this makes perfect sense, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/playdate-1-just-dancing-fools/photo-2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/playdate-1-just-dancing-fools/photo-4/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “Don\'t worry!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the rock world.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did we do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/AYL1jNavlYY\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day, and I was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.  Although....\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can\'t help but wonder if this video would have gone viral with a wardrobe malfunction.  I heard on the news that those viral YouTube peeps make 100+k off of their videos.  Oh, well.  No YouTube windfall for me.  \r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we didn\'t have to follow our alter-dancing egos.  We could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  We could record our moves for future dancing!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>COOL!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy, Jazzy, and a guest appearance from Penny the Dog.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"http://www.youtube.com/embed/S8MRtzDB118\" frameborder=\"0\" width=\"853\" height=\"480\"></iframe>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','publish','open','open','','playdate-1-just-dancing-fools','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/','2012-01-15 15:37:47','2012-01-15 22:37:47','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=8943',0,'post','',7),(8942,1,'2012-01-07 16:23:57','2012-01-07 23:23:57','&nbsp;\r\n<h4></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: large;\">365 or Bust!</span></h4>\r\nHerein lies the story of the year in which I had an <del>mid-life</del> existential crisis and took on an insane 365 day blog project.  You can locate all 365 days, spanning from September 2010 - October 2011 under the \"Archived Adventures\" section on the righthand side of the blog.\r\n<h4></h4>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h4></h4>\r\nYou might also get a kick out of the<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/10/27/extra-credit-day-366-top-10-most-curious/\" target=\"_blank\">Top 10 Most Curious</a></strong> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/12/30/lessons-learned-from-my-year-of-living-curiously/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lessons Learned from The Year of Living Curiously.</strong> </a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<em>[snazzy-archive]</em>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSeptember 15, 2010\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<h4></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Welcome to my existential crisis.</span></h4>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Recently, I fell into the mother of all ruts.  In an attempt to hoist myself out of this Funk, I am on a mission (and I do choose to accept it) to try one new/inspiring/interesting/uplifting/provocative/\r\n</span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">or curiosity-injected thing each day for 365 days.  I will then blah, blah, blog about my experiences.  </span></p>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><span style=\"color: #000000;\">Some might call this insanity.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\">I call it salvation.  </span></p>\r\n\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scares you.\"</strong></span></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong>  <span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                    --- Eleanor Roosevelt</span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love to, Ms. Roosevelt, but with all due respect, I don\'t necessarily want to be scared every day.  That sounds to me like high blood pressure waiting to happen.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">But I really dig your point, Eleanor.  Instead, may I take a healthy dose of artistic license and change this to...</span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"Do one thing every day that scintillates your soul.\"</strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                           -- Late Bloomer</strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">What Brought on \'Da Funk </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Last year I celebrated my 40th birthday and promptly freaked out like every other American woman who turns 40.  How very cliché of me.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Mid-life crises lead people to crazy and outrageous acts such as buying an expensive sports car, cheating on a significant other, or packing up one\'s life to run away across the country.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I started a blog.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Granted, this was neither particularly outrageous nor crazy, but nevertheless indicative of the 40 year-old undercurrent bubbling, \"What is next?\" and \"Where has all the time gone?\" and \"I need some sort of change or I will surely go insane!\"</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I turned 40, and I suddenly felt like the hourglass of time was half empty.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Of course, when I flipped both the hourglass and my perspective upside down, I noticed that the hourglass was half full.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">This reminded me of the quintessential Late Bloomer.  Late Bloomers don\'t acknowledge societal timelines in life.  They bloom whenever the hell they\'re good and ready.  They focus on the sand in the hour glass, not the empty space.  </span>\r\n\r\nI can live with that.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I have always sensed that the Late Bloomer seed was planted in my childhood and has been sprouting ever since.  This seemed like a natural focus for my blog:  musings and ramblings of a Late Bloomer.  You can see my embarrassingly green (literally and figuratively) first attempt at a blog at <a href=\"http://www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>www.latebloomerdiary.blogspot.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\nAnd then...\r\n\r\nLife got in the way.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Big time. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I will spare you the details, but to give you an idea, \"Life Got in the Way\" involved: Internet Dating Hell, swine flu (yes, I survived), run of the mill job stress, horrific insomnia, an unrequited mongo crush, and a very sick little doggie. </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Life Got in the Way evolved into Life is Downright Cruel when after doing everything in my power to help Woofie, my constant companion of nearly 14 years, I finally had to say goodbye.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Every animal lover knows how saying goodbye shatters your heart and soul.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">And so I plummeted into a Funk.  Life seemed like one buzz kill after another.  The Late Bloomer seed may have still been in there somewhere, but my petals wilted.  Needless to say, my blog withered away as well.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I felt disappointed, disenchanted, and in general, dissed by life.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I hate to say it, but I even started to flip out about my upcoming 41st birthday.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Side note:  Why do we women torment ourselves with this aging crap???  Oh, yeah -- the media and its obsession with Hollywood.  I also happen to live in a city of Mr. &amp; Ms. Skin Deeps.  But I digress.  Back to \'Da Funk...</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">The Funk pushed me into the abyss of the aforementioned mother of all ruts.   I was on auto-pilot cruising at same old, same old altitude.  </span><span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<blockquote><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If you are tired of the same old, same old, then try something different new, different new.\"</span></strong>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>            -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\"> </span></span></h4>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Funk Begone! </span> </span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Shortly after life dissed me, it threw me a few bones, as it always does.  Sometimes you have to go digging through the dirt for the bones, but they are there if you are willing to get your hands dirty.  </span>\r\n\r\nPathetic as it sounds, I somehow rediscovered  <a href=\"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zl005muyttQ\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>\"Dark Road\" by Annie Lennox</strong></a> and listened to it over and over and over again.  It became my personal anthem.\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"I wanna come in from the cold\r\nAnd make myself renewed again.\"</strong></span><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong> </strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                            -- Annie Lennox, Rock Goddess </strong></span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Then one night -- on facebook of all places -- I came across an old Fast Company article that a friend had posted.  The article highlighted a few Late Bloomers with an \"it\'s never too late\" attitude.  Powerful reminder.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Who knows how these things happen upon us, but at that very moment, I was compelled to watch <a href=\"http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/elizabeth_gilbert_on_genius.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Elizabeth Gilbert\'s TED talk</strong></a>.  I had only been meaning to view this since she mentioned it...oh...6 months prior at her book signing.   (I tend to be a bit of a procrastinator.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Liz uttered the magic words: </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Check it out.  I am pretty young.  I\'m <em>only </em>about 40 years-old.  I still have maybe another 4 decades of work left in me. \"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">                                                           -- Elizabeth Gilbert, author </span></strong></span></blockquote>\r\nWow.  Well...when you put it <em>that</em> way, Liz.  Thank you.  You are officially my idol.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I was so jazzed by Liz\'s Late Bloomer mojo that I ran to my kitchen and furiously began jotting notes on a new blog project.\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">When Liz found herself in crisis, she heeded her inner voice, ran away and traveled the world.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">While I certainly have entertained the escape fantasy, my inner voice tells me that I can create my own little adventure right here, right now.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"Carpe diem and all that jazz. \"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                          -- Horace and Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">How many times do we say \"carpe diem\" and then actually seize the day?  We say it wholeheartedly, but do we truly <em>live </em>it?    </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\"> </span>\r\n<h4><span style=\"color: #008000;\">Curiosity Revived this Kat</span></h4>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">So here I am ready to live curiously for 365 days.   My goal is to \"Carpe Diem\".  For real.  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">It\'s time to get out of my head and into life.  (I am an <a href=\"http://www.personalitypage.com/INFJ.html\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>INFJ</strong></a><strong>,</strong> so this in itself is a challenge.)</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Ultimately, I hope that this blog inspires women (and my 3 token male readers) to break out of their own ruts and Funks.  Just say \"no\" to \'da Funk!   Instead, let\'s get funky in a good way.  Let\'s inject a little curiosity into our lives and get on with it! </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">I would love for you to join me in my quest.  <a href=\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/latebloomerdiary\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Subscribe to my (almost) daily updates through email or RSS</strong></a> .  (If you don\'t know what RSS is, just click the email option.  I didn\'t know what it was either a year ago.  It\'s o.k.)  You can also follow me on <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/pages/Diary-of-a-Late-Bloomer/155985501079157?ref=sgm\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Facebook </strong></a>or <a href=\"https://twitter.com/latebloomer365\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Twitter</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Go ahead and make my day by <a href=\"http://diaryofalatebloomer.com/submit-a-365-idea/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>submitting your own 365 idea for me to try</strong></a><strong>.</strong>  I may just take you up on your offer.  Wouldn\'t that be uber-cool?  </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Better still -- maybe we could try these ideas together and create an entire tribe that exudes Late Bloomer Mojo.  </span>\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><strong><span style=\"color: #993300;\">\"If variety is the spice of life, then this year is going to be <a href=\"http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_does_muy_caliente_mean\" target=\"_blank\">muy caliente</a>!\"</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>                                                                                                        -- Late Bloomer</strong> </span></blockquote>\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">Are you ready to get spicy with me?  I look forward to spending the year with you.  </span>','Chapter One:  The Year of Living Curiously ','','inherit','open','open','','103-revision-48','','','2012-01-07 16:23:57','2012-01-07 23:23:57','',103,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/07/103-revision-48/',0,'revision','',0),(8944,1,'2012-01-07 20:45:42','2012-01-08 03:45:42','','photo','','inherit','open','open','','photo-2','','','2012-01-07 20:45:42','2012-01-08 03:45:42','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(8945,1,'2012-01-07 20:46:40','2012-01-08 03:46:40','','photo','','inherit','open','open','','photo-3','','','2012-01-07 20:46:40','2012-01-08 03:46:40','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(8946,1,'2012-01-07 20:47:56','2012-01-08 03:47:56','','photo','','inherit','open','open','','photo-4','','','2012-01-07 20:47:56','2012-01-08 03:47:56','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(8947,1,'2012-01-07 20:48:30','2012-01-08 03:48:30','','photo','','inherit','open','open','','photo-5','','','2012-01-07 20:48:30','2012-01-08 03:48:30','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(8948,1,'2012-01-07 20:49:40','2012-01-08 03:49:40','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8945\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8947\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision','','','2012-01-07 20:49:40','2012-01-08 03:49:40','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/07/8943-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(8949,1,'2012-01-07 20:49:41','2012-01-08 03:49:41','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8945\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8947\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-2','','','2012-01-07 20:49:41','2012-01-08 03:49:41','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/07/8943-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(8950,1,'2012-01-07 20:49:41','2012-01-08 03:49:41','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8945\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8947\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-3','','','2012-01-07 20:49:41','2012-01-08 03:49:41','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/07/8943-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(8951,1,'2012-01-07 20:49:52','2012-01-08 03:49:52','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8945\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8947\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-4','','','2012-01-07 20:49:52','2012-01-08 03:49:52','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/07/8943-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(8952,1,'2012-01-07 20:49:52','2012-01-08 03:49:52','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8945\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8947\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-5','','','2012-01-07 20:49:52','2012-01-08 03:49:52','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/07/8943-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(8953,1,'2012-01-07 20:50:00','2012-01-08 03:50:00','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8945\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8947\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-6','','','2012-01-07 20:50:00','2012-01-08 03:50:00','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/07/8943-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(8954,1,'2012-01-11 17:31:39','2012-01-12 00:31:39','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from xBox (sp?) and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims.  We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero.  <strong>Young ? kicked my bootie to</strong> Foghat even though Young ? had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might rock it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMakes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, experienced professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  Promiscuous.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to m\n\ny sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that I was assigned the v\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-7','','','2012-01-11 17:31:39','2012-01-12 00:31:39','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(8955,1,'2012-01-11 17:32:38','2012-01-12 00:32:38','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from xBox (sp?) and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims.  We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero.  <strong>Young ? kicked my bootie to</strong> Foghat even though Young ? had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might rock it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMakes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, experienced professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  Promiscuous.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to m\r\n\r\ny sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that I was assigned the v\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-8','','','2012-01-11 17:32:38','2012-01-12 00:32:38','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(9140,1,'2012-01-19 01:11:55','2012-01-19 08:11:55','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Tuesday, I had an <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/17/playdate-2-its-top-secret/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Alpine Adventure Shoe Dilemma of Epic Proportions</strong></a>.  Without my blog readers, I was destined to suffer from frostbit toes and/or another concussion had this clueless desert dweller bit it on icy pavement.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy feet and brain would like to thank you for coming to my rescue!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOriginally, Romeo Mio suggested that I hunt for deeply discounted Uggs or cheaper Ugg knockoffs.  So last weekend, I hauled my cookies across town to Last Chance for a disappointing and Uggly visit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy word, Uggs are hideous!  They make my size 6 feet look monstrous!  <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/08/22/day-328-last-chance-or-no-chance-in-hell/\" target=\"_blank\">And when tacky Nordstrom shoppers return their used Uggs, and Last Chance puts them out for resale</a></strong>, they are even Ugglier.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRomeo Mio, seeing my Skyped frustration, sweetly suggested that I pack my hiking boots until we find a proper pair of boots in Torino.  He\'s incredibly thoughtful that way.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI then posted my Alpine Adventure Shoe Dilemma of Epic Proportions.  This is when you, dear readers, gently guided me towards Romeo Mio\'s original suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI decided that I would give Nordstrom Rack a try one day this week.  I wouldn\'t find as good a deal as at Last Chance, but hey -- at least The Rack doesn\'t sell boots where someone\'s sweaty, toe-jammed feet were lurking for 6 months.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYesterday at lunch, I ventured out to Nordstrom Rack and found the least Uggly of the Uggs.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_9149\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"40% off and toe jamless!\"]<img class=\"size-medium wp-image-9149 \" style=\"border-style: initial; border-color: initial; border-width: 0px;\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/P1180003-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" />[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI have to say, they may not be the sexiest boots, but . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWOW, are they the most comfortable!  It was Love at First Fit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWho wouldn\'t want their tootsies wrapped in swaddling lambs wool?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHeather and Stacey, I also purchased waterproofing spray.  Hurrah!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/19/these-boots-are-made-for-walkin-in-the-french-alps/olympus-digital-camera-687/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-9150\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-9150\" title=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/P1180007-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI think I\'m almost set!  Little Michelle lent me her down-filled jacket with a furry hood to keep me snug, and I now have Not-So-Ugglies for cozy feet.  I still need warmer gloves and as everyone tell me, a hat.  I think the hood is enough, but all of my friends who hail from snowy climates disagree.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI found some great sweaters and warm layery tops on clearance at REI, and Romeo Mio treated me to ski socks and some other cold-weather surprises.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd if I\'m still cold after all that, I\'ve got my Love to keep me warm.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','These Boots Are Made For Walkin\'.  In the French Alps.  ','','publish','open','open','','these-boots-are-made-for-walkin-in-the-french-alps','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/17/playdate-2-its-top-secret/','2012-01-18 21:28:31','2012-01-19 04:28:31','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=9140',0,'post','',23),(8957,1,'2012-01-11 17:47:30','2012-01-12 00:47:30','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from xBox (sp?) and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims.  We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMakes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that I was assigned the v\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-9','','','2012-01-11 17:47:30','2012-01-12 00:47:30','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(8958,1,'2012-01-11 17:48:25','2012-01-12 00:48:25','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from xBox (sp?) and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims.  We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMakes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-10','','','2012-01-11 17:48:25','2012-01-12 00:48:25','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(8959,1,'2012-01-11 17:54:30','2012-01-12 00:54:30','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims.  We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMakes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced happily and awkwardly.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-11','','','2012-01-11 17:54:30','2012-01-12 00:54:30','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(8960,1,'2012-01-11 17:55:05','2012-01-12 00:55:05','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims.  We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMakes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced happily and awkwardly.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-12','','','2012-01-11 17:55:05','2012-01-12 00:55:05','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(8961,1,'2012-01-11 18:04:31','2012-01-12 01:04:31','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims.  We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMakes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I was forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-13','','','2012-01-11 18:04:31','2012-01-12 01:04:31','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(8963,1,'2012-01-11 18:09:15','2012-01-12 01:09:15','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I was forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-15','','','2012-01-11 18:09:15','2012-01-12 01:09:15','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(8962,1,'2012-01-11 18:06:42','2012-01-12 01:06:42','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims.  We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMakes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I was forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-14','','','2012-01-11 18:06:42','2012-01-12 01:06:42','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(8964,1,'2012-01-11 18:09:29','2012-01-12 01:09:29','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-16','','','2012-01-11 18:09:29','2012-01-12 01:09:29','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(8965,1,'2012-01-11 18:14:25','2012-01-12 01:14:25','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  We quickly determin\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-17','','','2012-01-11 18:14:25','2012-01-12 01:14:25','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(8966,1,'2012-01-11 18:15:00','2012-01-12 01:15:00','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-18','','','2012-01-11 18:15:00','2012-01-12 01:15:00','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(8967,1,'2012-01-11 18:20:17','2012-01-12 01:20:17','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCOOL!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-19','','','2012-01-11 18:20:17','2012-01-12 01:20:17','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(8969,1,'2012-01-11 18:21:16','2012-01-12 01:21:16','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCOOL!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves and burn off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nvideo of Freestyle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or a\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-21','','','2012-01-11 18:21:16','2012-01-12 01:21:16','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(8968,1,'2012-01-11 18:21:05','2012-01-12 01:21:05','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves and burn off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-20','','','2012-01-11 18:21:05','2012-01-12 01:21:05','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(8971,1,'2012-01-11 18:22:17','2012-01-12 01:22:17','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCOOL!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves and burn off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nvideo of Freestyle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What\'s your story?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-23','','','2012-01-11 18:22:17','2012-01-12 01:22:17','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-23/',0,'revision','',0),(8970,1,'2012-01-11 18:21:41','2012-01-12 01:21:41','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves and burn off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What\'s your story?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-22','','','2012-01-11 18:21:41','2012-01-12 01:21:41','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(8973,1,'2012-01-11 18:24:17','2012-01-12 01:24:17','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCOOL!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves and burn off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nvideo of Freestyle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-25','','','2012-01-11 18:24:17','2012-01-12 01:24:17','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-25/',0,'revision','',0),(8972,1,'2012-01-11 18:23:59','2012-01-12 01:23:59','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves and burn off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-24','','','2012-01-11 18:23:59','2012-01-12 01:23:59','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-24/',0,'revision','',0),(8974,1,'2012-01-11 18:25:56','2012-01-12 01:25:56','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to celebrate the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and so . . . .  This is still incomprehensible to me . . . . Your body is the joystick/controller.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI know, I know.  I’m certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8944\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  Yessssssss!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves and burn off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-26','','','2012-01-11 18:25:56','2012-01-12 01:25:56','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-26/',0,'revision','',0),(8975,1,'2012-01-11 18:49:18','2012-01-12 01:49:18','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI prompted World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"She is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944 \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.  And if WMPN doesn\'t know\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCOOL!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nvideo of Freestyle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-27','','','2012-01-11 18:49:18','2012-01-12 01:49:18','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-27/',0,'revision','',0),(8977,1,'2012-01-12 09:42:03','2012-01-12 16:42:03','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI prompted World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"She is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944 \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCOOL!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nvideo of Freestyle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-29','','','2012-01-12 09:42:03','2012-01-12 16:42:03','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-29/',0,'revision','',0),(8976,1,'2012-01-11 18:49:55','2012-01-12 01:49:55','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI prompted World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"She is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944 \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-28','','','2012-01-11 18:49:55','2012-01-12 01:49:55','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/11/8943-revision-28/',0,'revision','',0),(8978,1,'2012-01-12 09:47:03','2012-01-12 16:47:03','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI prompted World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"She is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944 \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-30','','','2012-01-12 09:47:03','2012-01-12 16:47:03','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-30/',0,'revision','',0),(8979,1,'2012-01-12 09:47:03','2012-01-12 16:47:03','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI prompted World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"She is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944 \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-31','','','2012-01-12 09:47:03','2012-01-12 16:47:03','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-31/',0,'revision','',0),(8985,1,'2012-01-12 09:51:58','2012-01-12 16:51:58','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI solicited ideWorld’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCOOL!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nvideo of Freestyle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-37','','','2012-01-12 09:51:58','2012-01-12 16:51:58','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-37/',0,'revision','',0),(8980,1,'2012-01-12 09:48:25','2012-01-12 16:48:25','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI prompted World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-32','','','2012-01-12 09:48:25','2012-01-12 16:48:25','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-32/',0,'revision','',0),(8981,1,'2012-01-12 09:48:25','2012-01-12 16:48:25','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI prompted World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-33','','','2012-01-12 09:48:25','2012-01-12 16:48:25','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-33/',0,'revision','',0),(8982,1,'2012-01-12 09:48:31','2012-01-12 16:48:31','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI prompted World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-34','','','2012-01-12 09:48:31','2012-01-12 16:48:31','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-34/',0,'revision','',0),(8983,1,'2012-01-12 09:48:31','2012-01-12 16:48:31','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI prompted World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-35','','','2012-01-12 09:48:31','2012-01-12 16:48:31','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-35/',0,'revision','',0),(8984,1,'2012-01-12 09:48:55','2012-01-12 16:48:55','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I asked World’s Most Precious Niece if she would like to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI prompted World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-36','','','2012-01-12 09:48:55','2012-01-12 16:48:55','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-36/',0,'revision','',0),(8989,1,'2012-01-12 09:54:25','2012-01-12 16:54:25','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCOOL!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nvideo of Freestyle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-41','','','2012-01-12 09:54:25','2012-01-12 16:54:25','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-41/',0,'revision','',0),(8986,1,'2012-01-12 09:52:30','2012-01-12 16:52:30','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-38','','','2012-01-12 09:52:30','2012-01-12 16:52:30','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-38/',0,'revision','',0),(8987,1,'2012-01-12 09:52:30','2012-01-12 16:52:30','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-39','','','2012-01-12 09:52:30','2012-01-12 16:52:30','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-39/',0,'revision','',0),(8988,1,'2012-01-12 09:53:21','2012-01-12 16:53:21','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other streaming boxes/video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-40','','','2012-01-12 09:53:21','2012-01-12 16:53:21','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-40/',0,'revision','',0),(8991,1,'2012-01-12 09:57:02','2012-01-12 16:57:02','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCOOL!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nvideo of Freestyle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-43','','','2012-01-12 09:57:02','2012-01-12 16:57:02','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-43/',0,'revision','',0),(8990,1,'2012-01-12 09:54:58','2012-01-12 16:54:58','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nToto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-42','','','2012-01-12 09:54:58','2012-01-12 16:54:58','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-42/',0,'revision','',0),(8993,1,'2012-01-12 09:58:12','2012-01-12 16:58:12','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSurly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCOOL!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nvideo of Freestyle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-45','','','2012-01-12 09:58:12','2012-01-12 16:58:12','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-45/',0,'revision','',0),(8992,1,'2012-01-12 09:57:08','2012-01-12 16:57:08','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </strong></span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.  Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-44','','','2012-01-12 09:57:08','2012-01-12 16:57:08','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-44/',0,'revision','',0),(8994,1,'2012-01-12 09:58:35','2012-01-12 16:58:35','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-46','','','2012-01-12 09:58:35','2012-01-12 16:58:35','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-46/',0,'revision','',0),(8995,1,'2012-01-12 09:58:35','2012-01-12 16:58:35','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-47','','','2012-01-12 09:58:35','2012-01-12 16:58:35','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-47/',0,'revision','',0),(8997,1,'2012-01-12 09:59:39','2012-01-12 16:59:39','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCOOL!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nvideo of Freestyle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-49','','','2012-01-12 09:59:39','2012-01-12 16:59:39','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-49/',0,'revision','',0),(8996,1,'2012-01-12 09:59:14','2012-01-12 16:59:14','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video came knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-48','','','2012-01-12 09:59:14','2012-01-12 16:59:14','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-48/',0,'revision','',0),(8999,1,'2012-01-12 10:00:43','2012-01-12 17:00:43','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven though the bulk of my video game knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCOOL!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nvideo of Freestyle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-51','','','2012-01-12 10:00:43','2012-01-12 17:00:43','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-51/',0,'revision','',0),(8998,1,'2012-01-12 10:00:22','2012-01-12 17:00:22','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video game knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-50','','','2012-01-12 10:00:22','2012-01-12 17:00:22','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-50/',0,'revision','',0),(9019,1,'2012-01-12 10:22:47','2012-01-12 17:22:47','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven though the bulk of my video game knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.  Based on my past video game history, this makes perfect sense, right?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “Don\'t worry!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the rock world.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did we do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day, and I was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we didn\'t have to follow our alter-dancing egos.  We could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  We could record our moves for future dancing!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>COOL!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nvideo of Freestyle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-71','','','2012-01-12 10:22:47','2012-01-12 17:22:47','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-71/',0,'revision','',0),(9000,1,'2012-01-12 10:00:49','2012-01-12 17:00:49','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video game knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-52','','','2012-01-12 10:00:49','2012-01-12 17:00:49','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-52/',0,'revision','',0),(9001,1,'2012-01-12 10:00:50','2012-01-12 17:00:50','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video game knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Makes perfect sense, right?  Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-53','','','2012-01-12 10:00:50','2012-01-12 17:00:50','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-53/',0,'revision','',0),(9005,1,'2012-01-12 10:04:53','2012-01-12 17:04:53','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEven though the bulk of my video game knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.  Based on my past video game history, this makes perfect sense, right?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nCOOL!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(Do kids still say that?)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nvideo of Freestyle.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-57','','','2012-01-12 10:04:53','2012-01-12 17:04:53','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-57/',0,'revision','',0),(9002,1,'2012-01-12 10:03:49','2012-01-12 17:03:49','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video game knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBased on my past video game history, this makes perfect sense, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-54','','','2012-01-12 10:03:49','2012-01-12 17:03:49','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-54/',0,'revision','',0),(9003,1,'2012-01-12 10:03:49','2012-01-12 17:03:49','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video game knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBased on my past video game history, this makes perfect sense, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-55','','','2012-01-12 10:03:49','2012-01-12 17:03:49','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-55/',0,'revision','',0),(9004,1,'2012-01-12 10:04:26','2012-01-12 17:04:26','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video game knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.  Based on my past video game history, this makes perfect sense, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-56','','','2012-01-12 10:04:26','2012-01-12 17:04:26','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-56/',0,'revision','',0),(9006,1,'2012-01-12 10:05:02','2012-01-12 17:05:02','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video game knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.  Based on my past video game history, this makes perfect sense, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-58','','','2012-01-12 10:05:02','2012-01-12 17:05:02','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-58/',0,'revision','',0),(9007,1,'2012-01-12 10:05:02','2012-01-12 17:05:02','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8947\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8947\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8947 alignleft\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo3-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"225\" height=\"300\" /></a>What better way to kick in the New Year and The Year of Play than with a very special playdate!  On January 1<sup>st</sup>, I invited World’s Most Precious Niece to join me in my playful quest.  Since she’s a kid, she’s a natural at this sort of thing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI asked World’s Most Precious Niece for ideas.  When you ask a digital native for play ideas, there is a 99.9% chance that they will choose some sort of video game.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Just Dance 3,” was her suggestion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“What’s that?” was my obvious question.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nShe then rattled on about a video game on Kinect where you follow dance moves, yada, yada, yada.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI had limited Kinect knowledge.  I knew it was a streaming device, but what makes it different from Xbox, Wii, and all of those other video game thingies?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8945\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8945\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8945 alignnone\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo1-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece explained that Kinect senses your body movements, and therefore . . . .  This part is still incomprehensible to me . . . . <strong><em>Your body is the joystick.</em></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong><span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\">Toto, we’re not in Atari-Land anymore.</span></strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEven though the bulk of my video game knowledge stems from pre-1985, I am certainly (minimally) aware of changes in video games in the past 30 years.  In order to feel more hip, I like to keep my pinky finger on the pulse.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #000000;\">There was that one summer circa 2000 out when my sister and I stayed up late every night playing The Sims. </span> We spent countless hours locking grunting virtual people in their virtual rooms to see what would happen without virtual potty breaks and food.  How mature.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nA couple of New Year’s Eves ago I played Rock Band with friends.  I was the lead vocalist and was booed off the stage by a rude cast of virtual characters.  As a trained singer, I found this terribly amusing, although the virtual me was miffed.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nO.k., o.k.  So the real me was equally peeved.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Surly cast of virtual characters, <em>excuse me</em> for living and showing expression while I’m singing rather than popping out notes like a robot!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd then there was that trip to Fiddlesticks last winter <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/01/01/day-94-i-play-a-real-guitar-but-i-suck-at-guitar-hero/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>when World’s Most Precious Niece attempted to teach me Guitar Hero</strong></a>.  Young Brendan kicked my bootie to Foghat even though Young Brendan had never touched a real guitar while I own and play an acoustic.  Go figure.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you can imagine, I was more than a little skeptical about this Just Dance 3 nonsense.  My possible saving grace was that I’m a clueless dancer in real life, so perhaps I might bring it for Virtual Dance Fever.  Based on my past video game history, this makes perfect sense, right?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #800080;\"><strong>Good at things in Real Life = Sucky in Virtual World.  Sucky at things in Real Life = Fabulous in Virtual World.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece and I took the virtual stage in my sister’s living room.  I watched WMPN wave her arms about in spazzy kid fashion.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_8944\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\" caption=\"WMPN is deceivingly unspazzy in this photo, but my sis can attest to my perception in the comments section if you doubt me.\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8944\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8944\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-8944  \" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo games may be child’s play, but it takes a controlled, seasoned professional to set the stage.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=8946\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-8946\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-8946\" title=\"photo\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/photo2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI was mildly concerned when 10 year-old World’s Most Precious Niece wielded her arm to select the first dance selection of our Dance Off:  \"Promiscuous\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI turned to my sister.  “Promiscuous????”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSis shot me a mixed look of exasperation, disgust, and resignation.  I feel for the parents of today.  I really do.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWorld’s Most Precious Niece blurted, “I know!  I don’t know what it means either!!!!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n“Oh, I know what it means,” I muttered under my breath.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe music started, and I was pleased to see that WMPN and I were assigned the more child-friendly alter-dancing-egos of \"Happy\" and \"Jazzy\".\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWMPN danced jazzily while I danced awkwardly.  However, I was indeed happy over the fact that I was sweating and elevating my heart rate after a week of Christmas gorging.  A video game that gets kids <em>moving?</em>  YESSSSSSSS!!!!!!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThe next selection was my choice:  \"I Don\'t Feel Like Dancing\" by The Scissor Sisters.  Questionable band name, but waaaaayyyy over a kid\'s head, and hey -- you\'re rarely going find squeaky clean in the world of music.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf a picture tells a thousand words, then a video must tell a million.  How did I do?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nVideo of me and chloe set to scissor sisters.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAs you may or may not have noticed, I forgot to wear my belt that day and was in grave danger of revealing plumber\'s crack to the world.  Thank goodness for small New Year\'s miracles.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOut of breath but ready for more heart-pumping moves, WMPN and I discovered a mysterious entry in the Just Dance 3 menu entitled \"Freestyle\".  It didn\'t take a Sherlock Holmes to figure out that for these selections, we could shake our groove things any which way we wanted.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAnd here\'s what the tweeny digital native figured out in a nanosecond:  You can record it for future dancing!  You essentially create your own avatar!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nCOOL!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(Do kids still say that?)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you Happy and Jazzy.  If your feet just can\'t behave, feel free to imitate their tremendous dance moves while burning off those extra Christmas cookie pounds in the process!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nvideo of Freestyle.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHave you ever played Just Dance 3 or something similar?  What did you think?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Playdate #1:  Just Dancing Fools','','inherit','open','open','','8943-revision-59','','','2012-01-12 10:05:02','2012-01-12 17:05:02','',8943,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2012/01/12/8943-revision-59/',0,'revision','',0),