Monday, June 26, 2006
The Brain Age Duuuhs
When the package arrived, I have to admit, it seemed odd to me that even a handheld gaming console was coming in a padded envelope. Oh well, I thought, that's what you get with microchips. Then, when I opened the case for Mom I could no longer remain silent: "What is this?!? This isn't a game console!"
Mom pulled my arms down and stared into the case. "That's one of those game chips."
I can't believe I didn't know this. "You mean, you have to buy the console separately?!?"
Mom looked at me as though she was kind enough not to say, "You didn't know that?"
So, I've ordered a Nintendo DS Video Gaming Console (the official name), best price I could find, rebated (I have good luck with rebates) amazingly low shipping. We'll be receiving it within 2 - 12 days.
We're both disappointed. My mother confused "console" with an old, old, old game set-up she got to help entertain grandkids. I remember shooting ducks and skeet on it. I was surprisingly good. Anyway, she thought we could use that. I knew better and, besides, I have no idea where the various pieces of the old, old, old game are. I'm sure, though, this tiny microchip, from which you can barely read the name of the game, would not operate in whatever "console" she has. She is agitated by this thought, though, and the game case is in front of her to remind her. Maybe I'd better move it.
Not sure how the evening is going to unfold. Not even sure what we're going to eat tonight.
Later...
...maybe.
Mom pulled my arms down and stared into the case. "That's one of those game chips."
I can't believe I didn't know this. "You mean, you have to buy the console separately?!?"
Mom looked at me as though she was kind enough not to say, "You didn't know that?"
So, I've ordered a Nintendo DS Video Gaming Console (the official name), best price I could find, rebated (I have good luck with rebates) amazingly low shipping. We'll be receiving it within 2 - 12 days.
We're both disappointed. My mother confused "console" with an old, old, old game set-up she got to help entertain grandkids. I remember shooting ducks and skeet on it. I was surprisingly good. Anyway, she thought we could use that. I knew better and, besides, I have no idea where the various pieces of the old, old, old game are. I'm sure, though, this tiny microchip, from which you can barely read the name of the game, would not operate in whatever "console" she has. She is agitated by this thought, though, and the game case is in front of her to remind her. Maybe I'd better move it.
Not sure how the evening is going to unfold. Not even sure what we're going to eat tonight.
Later...
...maybe.
Comments:
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originally posted by Paula Martinac: Tue Jun 27, 05:53:00 AM 2006
Gail - I'll be interested to see how this works when you finally get the console. We've steered away from any new "technological" stuff with my mom, even the simplest things, because they upset her too much. In fact, one of the first signs I had that things weren't right with her cognitively is that she started crying when I replaced their broken VCR with a spare one that operated ever so slightly differently from hers. She could not follow instructions on how to operate it, or pay attention to how I operated the buttons - and to this day, it's still sitting, unused.
BTW, I've posted some short comments here over the past few days but they don't show up...
Gail - I'll be interested to see how this works when you finally get the console. We've steered away from any new "technological" stuff with my mom, even the simplest things, because they upset her too much. In fact, one of the first signs I had that things weren't right with her cognitively is that she started crying when I replaced their broken VCR with a spare one that operated ever so slightly differently from hers. She could not follow instructions on how to operate it, or pay attention to how I operated the buttons - and to this day, it's still sitting, unused.
BTW, I've posted some short comments here over the past few days but they don't show up...
originally posted by Gail Rae: Tue Jun 27, 08:00:00 AM 2006
I'll tell you, Paula, I'm ready for anything, including the possibility that she may not be able to make head nor tails of it.
Just as a comparison, the first sign that something wasn't cognitively right with my mother is that she began to neglect her life business (checking account maintenance was the first to go; then remembering to pay bills on time, although she fought the bank on that one, when she was qualifying for a loan to buy this house, and won).
For my mother, at least, it is a lucky coincidence of character that disappointment never lasts long and she has faith in her ability to outlast any waiting period. I won't, for instance, mention the Brain Age game again until the day the console is due to arrive.
I'll tell you, Paula, I'm ready for anything, including the possibility that she may not be able to make head nor tails of it.
Just as a comparison, the first sign that something wasn't cognitively right with my mother is that she began to neglect her life business (checking account maintenance was the first to go; then remembering to pay bills on time, although she fought the bank on that one, when she was qualifying for a loan to buy this house, and won).
For my mother, at least, it is a lucky coincidence of character that disappointment never lasts long and she has faith in her ability to outlast any waiting period. I won't, for instance, mention the Brain Age game again until the day the console is due to arrive.
originally posted by Deb Peterson: Tue Jun 27, 05:17:00 PM 2006
I'm really curious to hear what happens with this. I bought a new TV a few months ago and it came with a remote that has more buttons on it than my computer. My mother can't quite get the hang of it (and she tells me at least once a week that "this TV doesn't get the good programs that the old one did") but I think it's because the remote buttons are too small for her to see. So I'd also be interested in hearing about how big the console is--is it "Ancient-friendly"? (Ironically, I went out and bought one of those universal remotes that has fewer and larger buttons on it--but I CAN'T SEEM TO PROGRAM IT.)
Also--your comment screen is different now--maybe that's why Paula's previous comments haven't shown up?
I'm really curious to hear what happens with this. I bought a new TV a few months ago and it came with a remote that has more buttons on it than my computer. My mother can't quite get the hang of it (and she tells me at least once a week that "this TV doesn't get the good programs that the old one did") but I think it's because the remote buttons are too small for her to see. So I'd also be interested in hearing about how big the console is--is it "Ancient-friendly"? (Ironically, I went out and bought one of those universal remotes that has fewer and larger buttons on it--but I CAN'T SEEM TO PROGRAM IT.)
Also--your comment screen is different now--maybe that's why Paula's previous comments haven't shown up?
originally posted by Gail Rae: Wed Jun 28, 09:37:00 AM 2006
My mom bypassed remotes a long time ago. It started when I had to tape away her access to certain buttons that were brightly colored and she figured could do anything. Now, she is satisfied with my management of the remotes (we have three that we use on a daily basis, another that we use occasionally), but I have had to hold scrupulous faith with her television interests.
My mother, unfortunately, is still not afraid of technology. I wish she were!
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My mom bypassed remotes a long time ago. It started when I had to tape away her access to certain buttons that were brightly colored and she figured could do anything. Now, she is satisfied with my management of the remotes (we have three that we use on a daily basis, another that we use occasionally), but I have had to hold scrupulous faith with her television interests.
My mother, unfortunately, is still not afraid of technology. I wish she were!
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