Posts Tagged ‘puzzle

02
May
25

When Did Tacos Become a Snack?

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I’m not someone who grew up regularly eating tacos with family.

My first experience with tacos might have been from a Taco Bell when I was roughly nine or ten years old. Taco Bell was relatively new in my area, and my family, who you may say has perpetually been pinching pennies when they aren’t being reckless with money, felt they could afford something new and “Mexican.” We called it dinner. We had tacos, and I think I ordered the “taco pizza.” And, we called that dinner.

Yet, if you look at the average crossword puzzles I’ve been solving, tacos always fall under “Mexican snack” or some variation of that clue, often using a name or word I’m supposed to recognize as “from South America, as if that’s supposed to be enough to shout, “It’s TACOS, you idiot!”

When did tacos become A SNACK?

Please fill me in so I may be better educated.

Are there homes, somewhere, where, instead of asking for or making a PB-and-J sandwich after school, they throw together tacos? Do these same households then eat something less portable or bigger for dinner? Are tacos not fit for being considered dinner?

[I cannot say the same for just about any other “snack.” I cannot call popcorn or chips and salsa dinner.]

I’m not entirely sure, but perhaps there is research I could do on the subject. It might be easier than getting a response in this chilly, vacant writing space where visitors and comments are more scarce than that one Pokémon you can only find once in each game. But, if you, reader, happen upon this entry to my blog and have useful information on the concept of tacos as a snack, please share it in the space below. I put this thought out there in the “cyberverse.” ‘Food for thought…or…thought for food?

27
Nov
24

The True Delight of Microsoft Casual Games

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Ah, Microsoft Casual Games, what would I do without you….particularly your word games. Such colorful, free PC gaming should be considered…well, let’s be frank.

You’re not the treat you put outside the word puzzles you assembled. I wouldn’t even say “created” because the word selection is not only repetitive, it’s depressing and discouraging, at times.

I do not relish in having coffee and cookies while playing your word games.

Finishing each step, along the path to the same treasure chest every round, with words like…

SORROW
BOREDOM
SCANDAL
HOODLUM
VANDAL
GAUNT
BALDNESS
LONELY
etc….

Shame on you. That’s about the nicest way I can put it. And, I know that sounds lame.

I realize, after supplying hundreds of puzzles along repeating game boards, you might run out of ideas not to mention the will to live. How boring can you get with all these words. Well, you’ve made it abundantly clear; the task was more than you could handle.

I don’t think anyone needs to solve a puzzle that only makes them feel worse about the life that already led them to playing your games. I sadly would say Solitaire might bring more joy…and that really is depressing, solitaire, the game for people who have no one to talk with in their lives or who would rather be alone with cards than socialize or do something more creative.

Then there is the false sense of pride from “earning” a title like “grandmaster,” after using twenty HINTS to complete the most recent puzzle. How can I be a master of anything if I let the game answer for me?

[Other online games, the sort that come as “apps” you are pressed to add to your “phone” to “play for free” would suggest actually spending money on items that help you complete their games. Bah–I say.]

In conclusion, I’ll tell you what is casual about these Casual Games….it’s the effort put into making them. Such casual effort supplied by someone clearly discouraged by their own life (or lives). I suppose, in some twisted way, your games are a prompt to examine one’s use of time and find alternatives.

So…thank you? for discouraging me.




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