I must apologize to my faithful readers who are not familiar or are not fans of the game CANDY CRUSH SAGA.
O. M. G!
I started playing this little game on my phone while I was sitting in waiting rooms last year. I remember really enjoying that Bedazzled or Bejeweled game or what ever it was called. It was mindless and relaxing but fulfilled that little bit of competitiveness I have. I can hear you all laughing at me for calling myself a little competitive. That is like saying that they "kind of swear" in the Wolf of Wall Street. Anyway- this Candy game, I thought was the same kind of thing...line up three colors ...get points...AND it's candy! Doctor appointment after doctor appointment, waiting room after waiting room I would sit and play level after level and I would wonder "what did people do before this game"...would they just sit there...look at outdated magazines...God forbid...Talk? I mean it was mindless and really did help pass the time....and then some
"So you want to know what the doctor said?"
"yeah yeah yeah....one second... I have 4 moves .....DAMMIT!!!!!"
Okay I'm only kind of exaggerating, kind of. I guess I have a little bit of an addictive personality ( see above analogy).
As time went on, the game got more popular and more and more people I knew were playing this silly game. I would see friends that I haven't had contact with for years sending me a request for a "life" or a chance to advance to a new level. I had visions of these people sniffing and all shifty-like
"can you help me out man...I need one more life...c'mon we're old friends right?"
Once I realized how far this game had gone and how many people it had in its Candy Clutches, I felt like I could talk about it ...it was less a "dirty little secret " and more of a "guilty pleasure"
It was then I realized...Candy Crush is Life.
Now let me explain:
All kinds of people play this game. I can see from my Face Book friends list - young, old, rich poor. It is like the great equalizer! No matter where you are in the game, you are trying to get ahead. I see people on lower levels and higher levels and basically we are all out for the same outcome. Getting ahead. In life when you perceive someone as "having it all" and then you talk to them only to find they are the same as you...wanting certain things,- material and non-material things. Everything is relative ...no matter how much you have (money, standings, influence etc.) you never seem like you have enough. How can someone on Level 245 be complaining I ask you??
The frustration of life gets to you no matter what level you are on.
Sometimes it's smooth sailing ....you are pounding out reds and blues, striped candy , wrapped ones bang, bang, bang....next level please...I am the Queen of All Candy I am!
But then ..you get stuck. Stuck for days weeks...what the fuck! I will never get off this stinkin' level...what am I doing wrong? Like life...right? Things are going so awesome (and if you are Italian you are looking over your shoulder never quite enjoying it ), yet appreciating that life is good! Job is good, family -good and you find a $ 20 in your coat pocket or you get a refund check- weather is beautiful on your vacation- you are Leonardo on the front of the Titanic!!!
But then you get stuck! Job- sucks...you are mad at your entire family...."I thought I had a $20 in my wallet"..."I owe how much?" I just got my period!!!...of course it's raining
What the hell...who did I piss off? You kind of get stuck on a level...and you run on the hope that things will get better . Then this happens.. you see whole bunch of your friends there to give you a "life". One of those lives give you what you need to beat that level and move on. Occasionally someone in your life will give you a kind word, the hand you need , an invite for coffee or a drink and you get "unstuck" enough to move to your next "level".... which of course will be either smooth or most likely frustrating.(hey I'm Italian)
Your friends will get stuck too remember, so you need to give them a life when they ask...it's only fair! Their level may be more frustrating than you think. Those guys that seem so cool, they don't need your help do they? You bet your Goobers and Raisinettes they do! There is nothing better than hearing "I'm so glad you called" and knowing you may have made someone's life a little sweeter.
Of course we all know the feeling of - it's not fair...you kind of feel like a 4 year old when you say it - but really, it's not fair- and not for the reason that some people have more than others, that's true but that's not exactly what I mean. I'm playing a level and I think "I got this- no problem"-
I do the same thing I always do...but why didn't that big candy covered chocolate ball bust through everything like it always does! Uh yeah...life's like that... You work and work and they close your school and now the same thing happens to my sister's school (although it seems like their big chocolate candy is going to do the trick and hopefully keep their school open) You eat the right things and work out and usually you lose a pound or two....but not lately...I am doing the same thing I always do but I can't zip my jeans...what gives.??
Life's not fair - this game is certainly not fair! So, you try a new move and you give it a shot and zip goes your jeans! Hey whaddya know, you're on to the next level!
But wait, if that doesn't work, they ( who are they?) try to get you to BUY your way out of your failure,...don't do it!!! - although I have to admit, I have considered it at a weaker moment. I never have done it though, because I couldn't figure out how to do it or mainly I was too lazy to get my credit card. I suppose it's like buying your self something when you are depressed- you know, "retail therapy" . It doesn't really work...it's a quick fix.
Lately, I haven't been playing a whole lot of Candy Crush ....it was getting too frustrating. I took a break- I couldn't stand the sight of that creepy old timey guy and that little girl you see when you "fail" at a level. - I did start recently playing again, you know for research for this blog..."Just when I thought I was out...they pull me back in"
Since I just quoted Michael Corleone I'll get extra Italian on you and say
La vita è dolce - Life is Sweet!
Life is sweet as Candy- Crush!
So follow these rules of the game-
- Be happy and enjoy each level you are at, but never stop trying to be better!
- Help out your friends and be ready to accept when someone wants to help you out as well!
- Life's not always fair - but if you keep trying new avenues, you may make find it isn't fair for a reason and you need to discover a new way to get to your new level!
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