There
come times in someone’s life where we are very eager to spent a little time, by
our self, doing our favourite pastime. With how much life can become easily busy,
it’s very easy to get lost and either just never takes a moment to fulfill that
desire, or finally doing it for finally noticing everything else is getting
late. Regardless for it it’s watching a TV series you adore,
starting a big knitting project or learning a new, complicated dance, all
people who want to really consecrate time to a project or a guilty pleasure
they have encounter the same difficulties.
In
exactly 5 days, this will be my case. One of the thing I've been waiting for
veeery long will finally be in my hands. I waited for it eagerly since months,
and it has been almost impossible to have a conversation IRL without me
mentioning it at some point.
This is
exactly that kind of time I was just talking about. And in my case, it will be
for a video game.
I will
sit down and play Zelda Skyward Sword for the entire Sunday. And the week
after, all the day after work, after my classes. Until I finish it (which
can actually take some time since I'm a pretty bad video game player.)
Isn't that all pretty?
Do
not think I'm that kind of gamer who disappears as soon as a good game appears?
I’m not. I didn't really play a salon console game since... ages.... Last game
I played a lot was Zelda Ocarina of Time on my 3ds. Zelda , Zelda, Zelda.
My love story with the Zelda series
Zelda
is my favorite series since the days I bought Ocarina of time (now let's do liek in the game and put in evidence important words) to play on my
sister's N64. Having playing only the Mario series and others platformers up to
that point, Ocarina of Time really amazed me by the sense of adventure I could
feel while traveling its field. For once, I felt the game really had a story, a
deeper one that what I could see from the Mario ending my cousin allowed
me to see (because in no way would I have been able to finish by myself one of
those games... I still can't in fact).
Nothing seemed more epic .... and it still is!
It
was the first game ever I bought. I was already a teenager, fourteen I
think, and this totally enchanted me. It may even be what sparkled back in me
the desire to draw, as I remember my first drawings I tried to copy
(which in the end, leaded me to learn to draw) was two official arts of Link
from this game.
Since
then, I finished that game... over 25times. I'm not exaggerating here. That how much this game can be addictive. When I
learned about a remake on the 3Ds, I immediately jumped on the new, shiny (and
pricy) console. I have yet to finish it, being a bit to obstinate about a side
quest of finding 100 golden spiders whose emplacements are really hidden deep
in a mysterious corner in my head.
An now... The Beast!
Although
I really like the following games of the series, I must say I never was as hipped
as for the next game in the series, Skyward sword. Developed story connected to
the others title, inventive dungeons, the perfect graphic style as far as I'm
concerned (cell shading with a more realistic drawing style,
impressionist-inspired colors), ingenious gameplay (using the Wiimote as an
actual sword, bug net and other items) and a lot of great characters.
The
closer the release date is coming and the more reviews goes out. And almost all
claim how this is the best game of the series. How can I wait there, calmly,
for this to come out? Well in fact, that’s easy! By preparing myself!
I will
actually do a review after playing the game enough to my own taste. But I realized I needed to prepare so I could play it as much as I wanted , which
conducted me to write this post. With 2 evening classes and a bit more than
forty hours of job per week, I really needed awesome time management to be able
to play a bit. So I prepared a plan, a preparation to do before that fateful
day (November 20th) so I will be able to play as much a possible. I think this
can generally apply to anyone preparing to invest himself or herself totally in
one activity
Be
responsible
If you
want to have free time to give as much attention as possible to your special
activity, you need to make sure all the responsibilities you have been
fulfilled before, or else it's not really possible to really take full
advantage and all possible fun and pleasure from that activity. As for
me:
- First,
a couple of weeks ago, I asked my teacher to give me my homework in advance.
I will try to do as much of them as I can before that fateful day so I won't
have any to do for a few days at least after. It meant I still need to
draw a lot this week, but it's worth it.
- I
want to make a big clean up in my apartment. Not only because
maintaining a clean environment is the task of any responsible adult, but also
so I can sit in my clean, cozy living room, and be very happy and comfortable
while playing my favourite games, without feeling bad when thinking of the
state of the apartment. Regarding the need for a big clean-up, my living room
is the one the most suffering from it.
- Cut
others unnecessary (but still fun) activities. I adore my Exalted games,
but I made a deal with my boyfriend: no Exalted game around that time. Maybe
the day just before and still, it will finish very early so I can go to the
restaurant for my sister's birthday. It take a lot of time and always make
me very tired since the games finish between 1 and 4am. I also arrange to
put aside a drawing class I have each week with a friend, since we have no time
limit to do it. I love both of those activities, but I have to choice to cut
somewhere and unfortunately, I can’t spend all my time having fun.
Now,
please be better than me and manage to cut more that what I did... as I still
have a Ace Attorney staff diner probably tomorrow and a Drink and Draw meeting
Friday.... Since I have classes on Tuesday and Thursday evening, I only had
yesterday that was free....
Be
thematic
Now, this
does not always apply, but putting a little effort to become more and more part
of the world in which you want to immerge at that moment can always help.
Extending the ambiance to a few days before may also help to get the
steam higher, so this can also be a good idea
- In
clothing: I planned since a lot of time to customize one of my hoodie to
be Zelda themed. I think it would be great to be able to finish it before the
game come out. I could proudly wear it when going to get my game :), although I
honestly doubt it would be possible. I will probably just wear my Zelda t-shirt
Not the one I want to make, but another very fun design by Kristaia on deviantart(although I will use fabric paint in my case)
- In
food: Hem... in my case, it may be a bit hard. Easy answer is cupcakes
with icing, which make it easy to include the Zelda theme by decoration. I
guess using food who are present in the Zelda serie could be an
idea? So... pumpkins? Milk? Meet loin? Pumpkins and cheese soup? Fish?
(for Lord Jabu-Jabu?) I won't go far with that. I will stick to
cupcakes...
Look yummy... not...
And
- In
music: Make sure to have a lot of Zelda songs loaded on my MP3 player.
And why not changing my ringtone for that special occasion? I could
use that awesome Skyward sword theme (aka reverse Zelda Lullaby). I'm also listening to my Zelda music cds.
- In
decoration: I only have one Link figurine (and no one else have the same!) and
two posters. I don't plan to change that. My eyes will be on the TV screen. As
long as I feel comfortable, I don't need any decorations. In others cases, it
could be very fun however.
- I will
also make sure to play Zelda games while I can, on the subway ,etc , on my 3ds.
What better way to put me right back in that familiar gameplay, those puzzles,
etc... so I can get even more surprise with the new game!
Be comfy
- First,
having a clean home. It's in our responsibilities anyway.
- Making
sure it's comfortable. This mean to have you best couch, chair available,
a room just at the right temperature with a blanket if you have a tendency to
be cold, or a fan if you get hot easily.
My not so comfortable couch... I moved since them, but still have the same furniture... and same cats. If only they could stay we me the entire day while I play Skyward sword.....
-On THE
day, wear comfortable clothes. And slippers.
- And
make sure you look good. Now this may be only me, but when I don't make sure I
look good at least a little bit, I just don't feel so well. I don’t think I
need absolutely make-up (although a little bit can help), but I won’t spend all
of my day with crazy hair and unwashed
face.
(no you will not have any picture of me looking like a zombie)
Be
organised
- We need
to have surfaces: regardless of if you are planning to knit in front or a good
movie or to play a video games for hour, large, stables surfaces are a must.
Tables ,or chairs if no tables are available. We need a place for that cold
drink, that wool ... or that Wiimote.... In my case, it also means I need
to make enough floor room for if I decide to go all epic and get up to
fight evil monsters.
-Making
sure to have all supplies necessary. If you knit, making sure to have
enough wool for example. In my case, I guess it mean to have a lot of
batteries. I would probably even have paper, pencils (just in case I want to
take note, or doodle.... ) cream for my hands (just in case they get dry-ish)
and as much good food I can :) , something to clean my hands ( after
eating, so the Wiimote won't get sticky).
-Having a
small trash can be very
handy if you plan to eat (even snacks) while being there. And to keep the room
clean if you are making something messy (sewing would be a good example).
-I would
like to have a good and fast lunch and dinner to eat that day, as well as
collations. Which mean I will probably make sure to have leftover from the
day before for the meals. As for the snacks, I want to make sure to have
my favourite ones, but not only candies and chocolate. I will for sure
have a lot of clementines Easy to eat and so tasty.
Be
opulent
Now, this
is not an obligation, but just so fun. Make sure all the day ca n be as good as
possible. Be nice to everyone so everyone will be nice at you, do what you
prefer, stay in a good mood... and if possible, extend the fun . In my case, I
need to take a doctor appointment soon. If I can, I'll take it Monday, 21th of
November. So when coming back from the doctor's, I can plaaaaaaay the whole
day: D. This is just a bonus, but my arranging your schedule in some way, you
can make sure to make the fun last a little more!
And you , what are your guilty pleasures? :D