Skirtzzz

The mumblings began in 4th grade, 1998. People were pulling cards out of their pockets. It soon turned into chatter about a new cartoon everyone had been watching before school. Finally, all the kids had their Gameboy out at recess. It was a total takeover.

The jungle gyms and tire swings had been completely abandoned. Now, filling up the basketball court, the entire elementary school gathered. It was a convention, if anything. My first! I experienced a whirlwind of hungry interest, trying to find out more about this new playground obsession. People were standing on benches, shouting out what cards they had to trade, like a stock market businessman. Others sat and hugged their Pikachu plushies and shook their Pikachu giga pets. In another corner, cords dangling between their chunky Gameboys, kids traded their digital creatures.

Teachers were horrified. What had happened to the children?? Ah, but they simply didn't understand. This was a revolutionary moment for most of us. This franchise would become a lifelong friend to many. I for one, was completely engulfed.

Each morning I'd whip up a bowl of Dinosaur Egg Quaker Oatmeal and plop down in front of the television. Poke'mon Indigo League would begin. It was my biggest motivator for crawling out of my bed. The first few synth beats of that opening song, with little Mew gliding across the screen...such a blissful feeling! I later acquired the sought after VHS tapes so I could re watch them over and over again. I even used my moms stereo to record the S.S Anne episodes on a cassette tape, which I'd listen to on my Walkman during the bus ride to school.

There were MANY toys. I would excitedly scour the Toys R Us aisles, anticipating the red packaging to grace my eyes.

No place was left untouched. Fast food joints were now coveted sanctuaries in which children could gather and trade cards and toys.

In an attempt to coax me into doing my homework, something I did not enjoy doing in the slightest, my parents would treat me to a Burger King Kids meal. In hindsight, this is likely questionable, but boy was I pleased about it! (I mean hey, it worked)

They later began rewarding passing test grades with these bad boys:

I'm sure it goes without saying, but I logged a great many hours into the games as well (and continue to do so every few years)

These games were a virtual escape. A kind of emersion I hadn't quite felt before. It really did seem like I was on a grand adventure with my little pals. They were with me on every single road trip. Likely a blessing to my parents, as I never once asked, 'Are we there yet?!' I was completely content sitting in the back seat with my Gameboy and my lime green RCA blasting 2.B.A Master. So long as I had spare batteries...

Poke'mon was a powerful deluge that swept away an entire generation of kids in the 90's, much to the aggravation of our parents, teachers, and a LOT of religious conspiracy theorists.

It remains one of Nintendo's most iconic titans and continues to charm to this day. My generation is now sharing it with their children, and frankly, I think that's beautiful. It will remain such a pleasant memory for me; a childhood full of Pocket Monsters. I feel so incredibly lucky to have been there when it all started- it was truly a phenomenon. (Phenome'Mon?)

Well, it's the final week of DeviantArt's "Deviously Fun Dailies" prompt event! We're finishing things off with the 'Retro' theme. Here's a poem submitted by JessaMar

I searched DeviantArt for pictures I thought helped illustrate it!

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Connie had always been given to nostalgia, even for things that she hadn’t actually experienced the first time. Swing music from the 1940s, old farmhouses, rotary telephones, and fashion from the 1920s or 1960s; it all resonated for her as strongly as the TV shows from her own childhood.

She met Phil at a friend's cookout, and didn’t expect that they would hit it off. He worked with computers and spoke eagerly about the latest gadgets; Connie used modern technology willingly enough, but she didn’t find anything exciting about it. But Phil didn’t look askance at the hat she wore, and when she talked about her favorite songs he immediately looked them up on his phone. Then he pulled out a bluetooth speaker so that they could listen together, and she was tickled to see that it was fashioned to look like an antique radio.

When the virus hit, it was easy enough for Connie to embrace new old-fashioned habits: baking bread, fermenting food, and narrowing her focus to the things she could touch. These things made her feel safer. She didn’t mind putting most of her regular routines on hold, but she did wonder if this meant an end to her growing friendship with Phil. They kept in touch a little on social media, but it lacked substance.

Then one cold, sunny morning a small package arrived. It held a flash drive shaped like a cassette tape, and a handwritten note. Just looking at them made Connie feel as warm as her grandmother’s cookies.

Week 3 of DeviantArt's community activities! This week's theme is 'Arcade'. They're asking for our most fun gaming memories, and I just so happen to have an arcade story specifically!

2006. I was a mall rat. We had this sad, dying mall in northern Idaho where all of the outcast kids would go to hang out. Each day after school I'd drive all the way over there just to play Dance Dance Revolution and hang out at the food court. Back in those days I had little to no responsibility and all the time in the world. Things were most certainly different back then. I'd show up in plaid schoolgirl skirts, knee high socks, and a giant Ryo-Ohki plush backpack. We'd spend hours looking through used DVDs and video games, hoping for a rare find. Walking around with a giant soft pretzel, pestering all of our friends who worked in the mall. I suppose I could muse about it for ages, but I'll restrain myself. If you know, then you know!

DDR was such a huge part of my high school years. It gave me something to focus on after class. I didn't partake in any extracurricular activities, so when I saw how good some of these people were at the arcade, I pushed myself to get better. It was a really positive environment for me back then. It was also quite rare to find people with similar interest out in the country, so when the arcade crowd embraced me, I was elated!

I was a rave kid and a VERY enthusiastic otaku, so you can imagine my joy at a dancing arcade game with all that music; Abyss, A, Holic, B4U, Captain Jack, BRILLIANT 2U, Colors, BRE∀K DOWN!, etc. I played these songs over and over again. I bought the home version so I could practice even more and show up to the arcade more confident. It was so great, the rush that overtook you, walking in through those arcade doors...

I recently got a new mat and downloaded all the classics on Step Mania so I could re-live these memories, but it's a lot different when you're an out of shape 30 something with nobody to play with! However, it's still very fun. The songs are absolutely timeless. They always remind me of some really wonderful times.

step one put the quarter in prepare to beat your high score morph into your second skin joy comes from a joystick or press of the buttons mash 'em all at once and can't nobody tell you nothin' transform under neon lights conquer every hurdle whether you're a spiky-haired yellow kid or pizza-eating turtle

catch that Pac-Man fever become an 8-bit junkie it's more fun than a barrel tossed at you by a monkey find your magic sword & shield to save Hyrule from doom or use a Hundred Hand Slap to prevent a Sonic Boom prepare to hop across the road when the coast is clear and finish any ninja who says "Get Over Here"

zombies ate your neighbors and there's no one else to save ya so act like you're a Belmont and this is Castlevania defeat those Ghouls n Goblins every unholy creation birthed from the sick minds of the Umbrella Corporation want the uprising televised? you've got the solution set it all to music and it's a Dance Dance Revolution

you can brave the Dragon's Lair or make Space Invaders bleed but watch out for that Asteroid and stop the Centipede you've got some dug to dig you've got some toads to battle there's bubbles to bobble and snakes to roll n' rattle the time has come you've leveled up the power's flowin' in you pull the flag down at the castle save and then continue

This delightfully nostalgic poem was written by YouInventedMe

This one is for Arcade week! DeviantArt's 3rd week of fun prompts! This one was especially fun! I hope you enjoy these pieces of art I picked out to go with the poem!

Week 2 of DeviantArt's prompts! This week is Magic! Today we're writing journals about fantasy tales that have meant the most to us.

There have been plenty of moments in my life where something completely absorbed every bit of me. And sure, many of those have been influential and remain very dear to my heart. But one in particular stands out in such a way that even finding the right words becomes a monumental task. I'll try my best...!

The world of Tamriel is fraught with mystery and danger, and in the cold lands of Skyrim, you have your fair share of each: Deadric princes, vampiric legions, ferocious werewolves, Imperial armies clashing with Stormcloaks, and - of course - powerful dragons looming in the skies above.

You are the Dragonborn. An unsuspecting beacon of power, summoned to the forefront by the Greybeards. You have been chosen to save Skyrim, gifted with the ability to use the powers of the Dragons themselves.

I began my first (and very lengthy) journey as a Redguard named Evie Stiletto. She went from an wide eyed wanderer in a foreign land to a swift and just arbiter with a bow in hand. She fought for the innocent, aiding General Tullius in the great war against the Stormcloaks, and traveled with many brave companions; along the way, she fell in love, adopted some kids, and settled into a beautiful manor North of Falkreath.

In another life, I was a ruthless Nord woman who fought by Ulfric Stormcloak's side, crushing the Empire.

Just the other day I began anew as Kaia Spirecrag, a displaced Orc who finds herself wandering these unforgiving lands. She's desperate to prove herself as a Companion and bring peace to Whiterun. Her journey is just beginning...

Also RIP to this random bandit guy

I could go on for ages on how much this game has impacted my life and given me comfort. It's my happy place, a rich world I desperately wish I could live in. A place where it's entirely possible to become something legendary. With so many memorable moments, from Dwarven ruins and feisty Falmer, to the mysterious Dark Brotherhood. You can live out an unforgettable and fascinating life in Skyrim. And when it's all over?

I can play Elder Scrolls Online!

Happy Magic week everyone! What fantasy tale has made a memorable impact on you?