Peanut Galleries & Traffic Jam Bites

In this episode, I share a thought I've had for a while, and hope it sparks some comversation: should the term "video game" be retired? Can "video games" be for everyone? Man, if ever I wish someone was on a episode to discuss this.... for now, tweet at me @gamifieddad!

I watched the new trailer for "Morbius" and now I'm thinking about comic book movies. Could you guess that I'm also a comic book geek?

In this episode I share my love of reading and some of my favorite authors. Non-book-nerds beware!

In this episode I begin thinking about my early movie renting habits, but then wonder when the last time a horror movie actually scared me. It's been a while! I went long in this episode, but I probably could have went longer!

I guarantee you read the title and thought, "What?" I had an amusing thought on the drive today about a pretty useless superpower that might still be pretty entertaining. Join me as I amuse myself thinking about it, and where this thought came from.

I recently finished my first game of 2020: Undertale. It's a game that got a lot of praise for being unique, and since I finished it on my Vita, I've been wanting to talk about it, sooo....here's my informal review.

I'm a self-professed geek, and have been since I've been young. Geek Culture (comics, fantasy, sci-fi, etc) didn't used to be as mainstream as it is now. How does it feel being a geek these days, at least for me? Maybe you feel the same...

Some people don't believe New Years Resolutions are necessary, and I'm one of them. However, I believe that wanting to improve yourself is a noble goal, so on my drive today I share my reasoning behind that and a few of my goals for 2020. Listen in, if you're curious.

I take a break from my work commute and exude a little thoughtfulness during holiday errands to reminisce about family holiday memories and traditions. Maybe you have a few that are similar?

We all need to vent about things sometimes, but when is the right time and place? Who is the right audience? And how do you respond when someone needs to get stuff off their chest?

Instead of a normal episode with the musical intro and all, I'm using today to update all (2) of my fans out there to what's been happening in my podcasting experience. We may see a lag in frequency for a bit, but I will continue on! Thanks for checking out the 3rd update of what's going on in this podcasting experiment....or at least, thanks for reading the description.

Lately, I've been having a lot of flashbacks to when I was in college and decided to pledge a fraternity in my Sophomore year. It was a spur of the moment thing, and I had no idea what a "rush" was, but it ended up being something I'd recommend for anyone in college, as long as you find the right group to join. Join me in a drive down memory lane...but don't worry, I keep it clean.

We just had our first snowfall of the year in Jersey, and it got me thinking about traditions in the snow. Sledding, snow forts... what do you remember doing in the snow growing up?

I made it through NaPodPomo and I'm still going! On my first episode past the November posting event, I get nostalgic about Christmas tree memories. Jump back in the passenger seat and stir up some of your own memories.

I've talked about gaming a few times in this 30+ day run of podcasting silliness, but there have been times where I wonder if I should give it up. In this episode, I run through where it all began in my life, and decide....well you can probably guess. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records) Note: I made it for the entire month of November! #napodpomo influenced me to drop my insecurities and just start podcasting, and I deeply appreciate the people who have viewed and/or attempting to listen to this podcast. Looks like I might keep this up for a while longer...

Yes, it's possible to enjoy your job! *gasp!* So many of us are stuck in jobs that drain us mentally and emotionally, and I was there once too. In this episode, I think about how much has changed since I started my latest position. If I could make it happen, then so can you! Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

On a previous episode, I pondered whether there is a stigma to express your love of video games to non-gamers. However, the topic of mobile gaming is a touchy one among hardcore gamers as well. Should we consider it gaming, or is it still a casual hobby like it used to be? Jump in the passenger seat, buckle up and listen. Feel free to pull out your phone during the discussion, since I'm the one driving. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

For this holiday episode, I reflect on my memories of Thanksgivings past, and how my holidays have changed from when I was younger. I wouldn't change a thing! I'm thankful for YOU, podcast surfer. Even if you don't listen to this, you took the time to click the episode and read this synopsis. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

I was invited to my 20 year High School Reunion, and it got me thinking about how relevant they are in our digital day and age. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

I had a different topic, then my mind went elsewhere. I refer to this as a "brainfart." Let's discuss this instead... Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

I can quote tons of movies from the days I was growing up, but are today's movies just as quotable and memorable? Join today's drive and think about it! Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

Episode 3 was an initial impression of how I felt doing the podcast, and some of my reflections worked and others didn't. How do I feel about the process now, being 21 more episodes more experienced? If you care to listen, you'll find out. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

Kids love their parents no matter what (usually), but when they're younger they tend to worship you and it fades with age....or is it the parents who change? Let's discuss. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

No, I'm not discussing bad thoughts on Friday, I'm thinking about my past experiences on Black Fridays and how I really have never cared much for that day. Since it's rapidly approaching (1 week from the day I post this) I figured it was a good time to gather myself! Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

In this episode, I intended to go over streaming services, and ended up giving my initial thoughts on Disney+ and lamenting a bit at losing my Playstation Vue service in a couple months. Peanut Gallery indeed.

Being a working dad with a long commute means that I have to make some sacrifices to hobbies I enjoy, including gaming. Between my time driving & working, and then spending time with my kids and family when I finally get home, when can I find time for hobbies that don't involve the family? I ruminate on this a bit in my drive today. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

In another more serious episode, today I'm thinking (and talking) about my own personal journey of changing careers from teaching in the classroom to working in Ed Tech as a project manager. Maybe you're looking to change careers, or maybe you have a similar story. Have a seat in the passenger seat and maybe we can relate a bit. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

Don't you hate it when a negative memory or thought pops up in your mind out of nowhere and ruins a perfectly good day? Today I get a bit psychological again on my drive and think about how much more power negative thoughts hold over us, even when positive thoughts try to counter-balance them. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

Sometimes I feel as though I grew up inside a box. I enjoyed things and made memories and set certain milestones, and never even processed that other people who were having similar experiences were coming to the same conclusions across the country. I quoted movies and laughed at certain video game experiences either by myself or with friends, and somehow we weren't alone, even without the benefit of posting or tweeting for validation. In this episode, I think about how crazy the concept of shared experiences from various media can be both before and after the rise of the Internet. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

Everyone has a distinct odor, usually starting a little before middle school, and especially when they're active. In this appetizing episode, I laugh at how amazing it is that sometimes we're not the best judge of our own smells. Remember to be kind to people of all types and odors! Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

I usually post once a day, but today is a special occasion - 1 year ago today I drove home in the worst freak snowstorm ever and my commute home went from 1.5 hours to 9 hours. Since this is a podcast recorded on my drive home, I figured it was an appropriate topic to add to my queue for your listening pleasure, especially if you take pleasure in other peoples' horrible memories. Luckily I can laugh about it now, and so can you. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

Part of my commute takes me right by the airport, and it reminds me of how everyone seems to have a sense of childlike wonder, even for a second, about seeing an airplane take off. In this episode, as I drive by the airport and try not to avert my eyes for too long, I think about all of this, along with my own memories. Maybe you can relate! Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

I've become accustomed to driving in suburbs and on highways. Endless rural country roads are a piece of cake. City traffic, on the other hand, is my nemesis. Forgive me, because in this episode I start to vent quite a bit about why I don't like driving in the city. Don't worry, I keep all the bad words put away (it's not a belligerent rant!), and I try to turn it around in the end. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

After catching an interstellar eyeball watching me the other night, I've been considering the idea of aliens, ghosts and alternate dimensions. Trying to keep this train of thought ride around 10 minutes was tough, as I could talk about this topic for days! Come listen to why I believe in all of the above, and I encourage discussion on these topics! Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

Being that this is a podcast where I talk about topics that are on my mind while I drive in rush hour traffic, it's surprising that I didn't think about the concept of traffic itself yet. My commute while I recorded this episode was a lot longer than usual, thanks to.....what? No accidents, just a little rain... why is traffic a thing? Come sit in the passenger seat as I ponder, surprisingly without venting! Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

I'm not a doctor of any kind and I'm not qualified to make psychiatric diagnoses. I do, however, declare myself an authority on nonsense words and random jibber-jabber that oddly makes sense. In today's drive, I actually give a name to a type of social anxiety that I sometimes get, which I dubbed "Little Brother Syndrome." Feel free to jump in the passenger seat today and see if you can relate, and possibly think of a better term for it all! Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

The title of this episode is something of a mantra for me, if you take away prior to the hyphen. Do you ever wonder how this "adult" status snuck up on you? Seems like just yesterday you were worrying about books, tests, and social issues. Wish it was that simple now... Join me as I reflect on the concept I refer to as "adulting." I even witness an adulting moment that justifies my thoughts near the end! Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

I've always enjoyed video games, but never had too many friends who did past middle school. I've always been a bit self conscious admitting to enjoying them because of it, but was that a self-imposed stigma or was it real? A perfectly innocent question at lunch makes me explore that question on my drive home for this episode. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

In this jumble of thoughts I call an episode, I think about the concept of gamification and why I think more things in life could benefit from being gamified.  I mean, I already gamified my Twitter name (@gamifieddad), so that should begin to show what I think about it! Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

No, I'm not talking about finding your way around building blocks that your kid left on the floor in your living room. In this episode, as I commute home I reflect on how difficult it is for me to start something new and creative, despite my constant planning and brainstorming. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

In this episode, my thoughts fall on social media and how it changes our outlook on our personal lives. I even consider how listening to podcasts on my hobbies sometimes has the same effect. Looks like another serious episode... Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

In this episode, I get a bit personal as I contemplate the meaning of Fatherhood and how it differs from being a "Stepfather." In theory, the difference shouldn't be too great, but in actuality? Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

In this episode, I drive my thoughts to reflect on my past two episodes after sitting down and editing. My extensive podcasting experience (a whopping 2 episodes, plus unpublished takes) lends itself to much wisdom. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

In this segment of my commute home from work, I reflect on why Halloween is a favorite holiday of mine. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

For this episode, Tony takes time on his drive to ramble about the way people look while driving, and pontificates about what the actual purpose of a phone is.  ...More a ramble than a pontification.  You've been warned. Intro Song credit - "Traffic Jam" recorded & produced by "Weird Al" Yankovic. (1993 by Rock 'n Roll Records)

For my initial unedited episode, I just wanted to give you a quick peek at what I'll be doing for this podcast: Small bites of life commentary as I drive in my daily commute. Expect normal car ambiance in the sound quality, but I hope you'll join me in my drive. I'm starting this to answer the National Podcast Post Month challenge (http://napodpomo.org/), and hopefully I'll get enough gas in this podcast machine to keep up the momentum.