My favorite use for a Wii remote

I live in a house full of video game players. I think they consider themselves "Gamers", and they range in age from 7 to 40-something. When I am feeling grumpy about all the screens blaring around the house, however, the word "addicted" crosses my mind, and sometimes my lips.

Now, I know not all video games rot your brain out. There is some research that indicates that some gameplaying time, spent in the more challenging, multi-layered problem-solving types of games do actually develop some critical thinking and reasoning skills. But I suspect the amount of video-gaming that goes on in this house is more than is required to gain those benefits.

As much as I was concerned about the entrance of the Wii in the house, I would support the arrival of Wii fitness, as there is potential to get us moving. The few occasions when I have been persuaded to play Wii Tennis or Bowling have been fun. And sweaty. Sweaty fun--I like that.

As a woman of many interests, though, I have lots (and lots and lots) of hobbies. They mostly include fabric or fiber, but also some electronics as I write and explore other blogs and even venture into social networking. There are so many other things I have to do, and so much that I want to do, that I can always come up with 10 better things to do than play a video game. Give me a choice between video games and reading a good book, and I will tell you--the book wins.

Which brings me to my favorite use for a Wii remote. With the silicon jacket on (the one that minimizes brain damage if you whack your neighbor while playing Wii tennis), the Wii remote is the perfect size and weight to hold my paperback book open while I am reading and knitting. Now, THAT's handy!