The Ventureweaver

Ever feel tired? Bored with life? Like growing older makes you yearn for the past?

I know that feeling all too well. It hits me at work, in the quiet moments between tasks, when my mind drifts back to simpler times. Maybe it’s a sign—though I couldn’t tell you what it means because, let’s be honest, half the time I’m too busy speeding through life to read it. (Not that I condone actual speeding!)

Lately, nostalgia has been hitting me harder than ever. This year is a big one—I’m turning forty in just seven days. Forty. It’s a number that makes you reflect, take stock of your journey, and maybe, if you’re like me, start chasing an old dream. That’s why I’m pouring my heart into a project I’ve imagined for years—a massive text adventure, written in QBasic, bringing to life the kind of storytelling that shaped me.

Looking back, I remember those long hours spent in front of the NES, completely absorbed in pixelated worlds. Déjà Vu—now that was a game. The eerie music, the unsettling atmosphere—I can still feel that childhood chill crawling up my spine. And what about Manhunter: New York? That game was wild. You’re running around a dystopian New York, wearing a creepy monk’s robe, trying to save humanity. If you’ve never played it, do yourself a favor and check it out. Games like that weren’t just entertainment; they were experiences. They stuck with you.

Now, as a father, I want my kids to see that magic firsthand. I want them to know that a great story matters. That a well-crafted game can be more than just a distraction—it can be a piece of art.

That’s why I can’t wait for this weekend. I have four days off, and I’m making the most of it. Playing some good games, watching Day of the Dead, kicking back, and soaking up time with my family. No stress. No rush. Just joy—the kind of joy that comes from revisiting the things that made you who you are.

So here’s to nostalgia, to great games, and to taking the time to just be. Press start on happiness.