Thanks dear blog reader for making it this far. Thanks Wil for opening up the subject. So many good comments from many people. I would like to add that I was pretty poor in High School English. School was a pretty mechanical place for me, I was deeply into Science and Maths, an uncommunicative nerd. But after a few years at work, I went back to (make up ground and)learn from college from a guy who was wholly passionate and skilled at conveying the 'magic' through careful selection of reading. I am an engineer, but I get the passion and emotional side as well. I just recently turned 48 and have just read 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' by Robert Pursig - it brilliantly combines comment on the 'art' and 'science' nature of thinking, I love the book. There can be brilliant creativity in the most scientific of things. I program computers and remember the kick I got from using a disk-sector-editor to turn a gigantic, threatening gargoyle into a gigantic, threatening, Garfield in one of my text based adventure games. See the humour in 'Zork', if you look in the mailbox.

Well said, Deepgame, good to put the logical and reasoning side to craft of writing. I an engineer who understands the value of rules and understanding how the mechanics of things work, but also the passion,love and joy that can come from employing those mechanics in a ceative way.

I don't doubt you Asiavou. The quote marks were just for emphasis, because the concept of owning a penny arcade in 1978 is just too much for mere mortals such as I to dare dream about using in just normal language. I'd love to have a space invaders coffee-table style machine in my lounge room. One of these days...

Gold!. Philosophy in 42 words. I love your post. Regards, Tim.

Wow! I was 18 in 1978 - I would have died to 'own' an arcade then. The dreams of a generation. What's your take on that era of 8-bit goodness ? Kindest Regards, Tim.

Seen the film "Pump Up the Volume" ..is full of reference to your situation, and heaps of 80's tech goodness. Kindest Regards, Tim.

Wait until these displays hit the streets - the best of both worlds, LCD and LED. http://spectrum.ieee.org/computing/hardware/winner-pixel-qis-everywhere-display Tim.

Sorry to be off topic, but I just read the Commodore64 is back! http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/the-commodore-64-is-back/12192?alertspromo=&tag=nl.rSINGLE

Curse you and thankyou Wil. Big Aussie blokes aren't supposed to cry. Your writing touched that very core of me that doesn't get touched very often. I am deeply and warmly moved. I guess that's because we are talking about one of the core themes of the movie, that you are at your most receptive; our memories are supercharged; when in your early teens. I am how remembering riding on the handle bars my best friend's bike at 15, feeling the pure pleasure of being free. I am in awe at your humility. Lets face it you were one of the ones who made such a timeless and meaningful movie. Yet, you are still smart enough to get outside of yourself to make us feel we are right there, feel we are with you. Because we are. *Hugs* Tim.

It is said that perfectionists are always overly concerned about how they appear to others. Keep doing what you're doing Wil and believe in yourself a little. OK. I would suggest a little time in the wilderness to get a little idea of how insignifcant we all are.

G'Day zadig. Maybe he could come and join me in the middle of nowhere. ;-)

No,No, Thank You Andrea. Great image.

G'Day Dawn :-)

Ahhh !! Thankyou Wil. I make a point of drinking in the sunset each day. It is a special feeling watching the light and colour change as the day transforms into night; is particularly exciting, as I remember it, for me as a teenager. Postscript. A new Elder Scrolls!!! ...squeee!!!

On the bright side Will. You will have all this material, true, honest material with which to share your life-experience with your kids when they're older. Particularlt the wonder that was growing up in the early dawn of the information age. I buried my folks a few years back, and there's precious little left to remind me of their life.

For what it's worth, this could be straight out of a J.R.Tolkein classic. Cheers.

Cool .. 3 posts in a single comment. My caption "DM succumbs to mass Charm +5 spell" Could also solve your creative dilemma in having your village attacked by a horde of evil charismatic creatures.. or by a rampaging, village-threatening alot. :-) Cheers Mate.

What is it about those dice. They standout in my memory from years ago. Is it the time of your life, or the doorway into other limiless worlds, or is it the link to you imagined fate ? Maybe its the fact that D&D is the first time you see a non-D6 and that first awe-inspiring read of the Manual. Wizards of the Coast be toasted.

All kinds of goodness, Fantastic.

We have the X/Y Gen to thank us for two wonderfully descriptive words used there in your post Wil, Muwahahaha and Squeee. Where would we be without them. II am glad for you thanking and recognising the engineers. Our job is to be unseen and unheard so things go smoothe. By the way, I was thinking of those engineers that brought us the magic of your morning too ... The iPod, Civ V and the BBC in the background ! .. oh!, and the Video Toaster ;-)

Me too. It's the fan base posts that keeps me reading.

Lovely story Marna. I think your last point is tottaly awesome. We humans can learn a lot from our canine friends.

Thankyou for reminding us of the beauty of the free spirit. Nature truly is the teacher of all things. I have known moments of complete exhilaration as well as peaceful quiet contemplation as if I was the only person on the planet. It's pretty easy out here. I remember the words of C.W.McCall ... there won't be no country music, there won't be no rock and roll, when they take away our country, they'll take away our soul...

My big idea is this. You get together with Felicia and 'direct' a movie written by her about the coming of age of some gen Y nerd. ... YAWP! With 'Do you wanna date my avatar' as the theme song.

include rocky horror; Ref that and music, I just spent this weekend listening to Meatloaf after many ages. Awesome voice. Insert 'Bat out of Hell' and turn it up loud O.K. The anthem for young men (who are old now!) ;-) I'll never get to see a live show like that w00tstock out here, but there's always the imagination. I was internally happy to hear your Dad was there; curious that we still seek their approval, always.