So I'm pretty pissed off to be honest. Pissed off and disappointed.
Today, after much stipulation and conversation, Blizzard announced the official release date of Diablo 3.
A lot of you will know that I've been waiting for this game for some time. Naturally, Greg (One of my best friends and colleague of mine) and I jumped to book some time off work. Now, I for one have not done this before, but with it being Diablo 3, and with having no plans for holidays due to saving for my wedding, I thought that this would be a great chance for some time off work and get some solid time with Diablo 3 after all these years of waiting.
So, after sorting that out with my boss, I posted the following on Facebook...
After a few comments, my mum posted the following, which I replied to, as below.
So yeah, my "irk-ment" started here.
I decided to leave it, but it steadily annoyed me more and more.
I decided to IM my mum. (For those that don't know, my mum and I work for the same company.)
The following is the short discussion we had...
SPOILERS! (Click to view)
Stables, Tim.X 15:17
Do you still have some social hangup about what "adults" should and shouldn't do or something? Your comment on my status seems really narrow minded.
Calvert, Sue 15:18
no i dont have a hang up - but you are 26 and you are playing games with other little boys ... such a waste of a week to sit and play games like that
Stables, Tim.X 15:19
Wow...
Calvert, Sue 15:19
its all about balance
and there comes a time when people need to start to grow up a bit
Stables, Tim.X 15:19
Yeah, you obviously don't get my hobbies at all.
Calvert, Sue 15:20
you need to do something that involves you getting out and about
its not about whether i get your hobbies
if you put as much effort into your work/training/career as you do into gaming, you would be a Company Director by now!
u are 26 !
not a young teenager
Stables, Tim.X 15:21
The vast majority of my hobbies involve a great deal of social elements and interaction. I really don't see your point. So what if I'm 26.
Calvert, Sue 15:21
yes but a social element with a load of guys who sit in dark rooms and dont have the ability to mix with anyone in a more standard environment
Stables, Tim.X 15:22
No way... jesus christ. I did not expect this from you.
Calvert, Sue 15:22
i am just taken aback that you think that is a good use of a weeks holiday
Stables, Tim.X 15:22
What I do with my holiday allowance is my own bloody business to be honest. I'm just taken aback with how narrow minded you're being.
Calvert, Sue 15:23
me? narrow minded?
eh no
its just my opinion
why dont you take a weeks holiday to go somewhere with Sarah ... .travel
Stables, Tim.X 15:23
Because we're saving for a wedding.
Calvert, Sue 15:24
if you are saving for a wedding, why did you ask for a gaming bag for your birthday that costs 120?
it doesnt add up
Stables, Tim.X 15:24
So I didn't have to buy it myself... I don't quite see what's hard to understand there.
Calvert, Sue 15:25
ultimately its not up to me, if you and Sarah are happy with you taking a week off to play computer games, then fine
Stables, Tim.X 15:26
Well there's one thing we agree on then.
Calvert, Sue 15:26
yep
I really don't know what to say about any of it, except that I'm extremely disappointed in how these opinions have come from my own mother, who has seen me play these games and develop as a person over the years... In one small discussion, she's not only insulted my friends, but pretty much my entire hobby lifestyle growing up.
I mean come on! Who would actually choose to sit in the dark? Especially when playing games that are played by a vast demographic, which often involve extremely complex and complicated rule sets... These are no mere board games or playground past times, these games are on par with Chess and Poker.
My mother seems to have some serious stigmatism concerning my gaming habits. Bringing my age, my lack of "professional ambition", not forgetting my supposed lack of ability to manage my time and holidays in a "proper manner"
I mentioned Greg before. He just sent me this...
SPOILERS! (Click to view)
Sorry to dwell on this, but I just noticed a bit that I didn't pick up on originally:
"with a load of guys who sit in dark rooms and dont have the ability to mix with anyone in a more standard environment"
The "don't have the ability to mix in a standard environment" part. What the actual fuck.
Not implying that she's referring to me specifically, but I'm sometimes shy around people I don't know, but it's not for lack of ability, it's for lack of interest.
I really don't give a shit about small talk.
And I won't encourage those who do.
I have highly specific areas of interest, for the most part, but that's just how I'm wired.
If that doesn't meet your mum's standards, then that's her problem.
I'm excited about this game and so are my friends.
He has a point.
What hits me the most is the fact that I want to open and run a professional and successful gaming shop. What would mum think of that I wonder? What if it actually works!? What if these games and activities that are for "Young Teens" and those who "Sit in the dark" actually start making me money.
Until then, I hope she butts out until she opens up to the idea that gaming is an ever expanding past time, making millions of us happy, and some of those people, money.
Fuckin' /rant
sorry couldnt resist.
on a serious note,i would agree with you, how you spend your holiday is entirely up to you. some people go to meditation retreats for theirs, others mountaineering, to take a holiday is to take time for something that you enjoy to get away from work.
hope it all works out and enjoy your holiday.