Journal 1

I learned everything I needed to know from the Madden video game series. For a one time fee of $59.95, you could purchase a disk of values to live your life by. Anyone who has ever picked up a controller and ran, threw and tackled their way to victory knows exactly what I mean. I learned at a young age that anyone could simply devastate the computer on "rookie" mode with an all star team, but there was no honor in manipulating the odds. I learned patience, building my team up with key free agent acquisitions and timely draft picks. It was better to draft young skilled players instead of flashy standouts who were sure to cripple your salary cap during their contract year. I was taught humility in "franchise mode" because it was impossible to have an undefeated season. No matter how perfect a game you played, your star running back would inexplicably fumble late in the 4 quarter or the computer would run a perfect 2 minute drill with a star quarterback. When playing against a friend, you had to be sure not to run an unstoppable play too many times and not run up the score in the 4th quarter. No one wanted a friend to storm off after you ran for 385 yards with Ladanian Tomlinson. I was made a better person by all of the life decisions i made playing Madden NFL football. I am, however, guilty of "trading" just a 1st round pick for Derrick Brooks. I never said i was perfect.