Escapism

Lots of people read to escape their lives. I don't. I don't read to get away, or even because I like it (I'm horribly slow at it). I read for two reasons: Firstly, I want to know. Whenever people reference Faust or The Divine Comedy or any other thing, I want to know what they are talking about. But more than that, I want to know it to such a degree that no one (at least, no one I will come in contact with) will be able to say they know more about it than I do. It's weird, but I hate it. So I read old stuff that people mention, but no one ever reads so that I can say "I've read that" and show people up by expanding that one point of the conversation to an area that I feel superior in.

What was I talking about?

Oh, secondly, I read because there's something that interests me in the topic or story. Really I guess I also will read something if I simply love the story, but that's rare (except with Narnia <3)
Don't get me wrong, I love stories and their messages and books, but the actual act of reading is hard for me.

Uhm...

Right, Escapism. Some people use reading as a form of escapism. It makes me think too much. I think too much about my writings when I read. I don't play adventure games or RPGs to escape either. Again, I think too much about writings when I play those, usually because of the action and wonderful stories.

What do I do to escape? I play Harvest Moon.
I have a weird relationship with the Harvest Moon series of games. I love them so, so much. But they make me sad. Melancholy, I suppose is the better word. Not so much now as they used to, but I still feel weird when I play.

For those of you who don't know, Harvest Moon is a game series where you run a farm. You grow crops, raise animals, befriend the villagers, expand your house and marry any one of several possible mates which are available for courtship. It's kind of like Farm Sim meets Dating Game.

I can sit down and blow hours watering, harvesting, caring for cows, mining ore, giving presents to the girl I like. I never get tired of it. Once while I was on vacation, I sat down one morning and beat the first game of the series in 13 hours, only stopping to get food. I was sick at the time though.

I'm very weird about my preferences in women. Part of me is quiet and shy and wants a girl that is active and loud and will get me to do things. Another part of me is confident and in control and wants a girl that's quiet, so that I can take her hand bring her out into the world.

In Harvest Moon: Friends of Mineral Town (which I am currently playing again) I married Karen my first time playing. Karen is a loud, dominant red-head who likes to get drunk from time to time. I think maybe since I was new to the game, I wanted someone more controlling.

On this time playing, however, I went the opposite way. I am currently courting Mary, the librarian, who's awkward and shy, but very cute. Maybe it's because I know this game inside and out and am feeling more confident?

The weirdest thing is that I have a girlfriend, :devbasilfaery: and she doesn't fit either category at all, but I'm perfectly happy. When I played when I was younger I dreamed of growing up, moving to the country and living happily with a cute, shy little wife (I was really weird in middle school), but now, I don't think about that at all. I like where I'm going in life, and I can't wait to get there.