The Retro Raconteur?

Image from bottomlesswit.com

Hello and welcome to the Retro Raconteur, your home for discussions on all things gaming. If you've read any of my posts before, you'll know I've attempted to blog regularly on several different occasions. I've never been able to post regularly over on extended period of time.

A few things inspired me to try yet again. First and foremost, fellow blogger and close friend, Jordan, has done an amazing job with her fashion blog Opal & Violet. She posts frequently and does a great job of capturing her unique style. I've also been inspired a number of times by Logan over at Rememorandom, another friend who has an excellent blog. Secondly, I now have a focus. Before, I was really all over the place with sports, Harry Potter, television, gaming, movies, etc... Now? The Retro Raconteur is all about gaming. I may throw in an occasional tech post (it does relate to gaming after all) and maybe mention a movie from time to time, but the main focus here is the video game industry. I have a focus and vision I didn't have before.

Video games have long been my passion. I've joked with my wife before and said I would be totally fine to live in a retirement home when I'm old - so long as I have the latest console with a steady supply of games. I say that partially in jest, but what makes video games so great is they provide us with an opportunity to relax, to be entertained, to engage with others, and perhaps most importantly, they allow us to escape from and clear our minds of life's hardships.

Image from snes-revived.net

Oh - why Retro Raconteur? Well "retro" means "of or designating the the style of an earlier time." It's often used in the video game world to describe old-school games and systems such as the original Super Mario Bros. and Nintendo. I've recently developed a new appreciation for these games after unearthing my wife's old Super Nintendo and her brother's original Nintendo Entertainment System (they still work!). Secondly, who wouldn't want to be a "raconteur?" It's just a fabulous word no matter you look at it. It also has a pretty awesome definition: "a person who is skilled in relating stories and anecdotes interestingly." Basically, it's everything I aspire to be as a writer and blogger.

I hope you'll enjoy.