East Texas Mini Games That We Play To Get Through The Day

You know what a mini game is right? It's usually a quick game, inside a bigger video game... Something to keep you busy before the final boss or main story. In real life, we put little personal challenges on ourselves due to boredom or to test your dexterity or mental prowess. Have you ever tried to throw a ball of paper in the trashcan from across the room? That's a real life mini-game.

Maybe some of these so-called "mini-games" began because of a silly childhood superstition that you never let go of. Do you still hold your breath when driving by a cemetery, or scramble to be touching a screw before going over a railroad?

Looking closer, games really do put a mirror up to real life. In your day to day activities, you have long drawn out activities, and more mundane smaller tasks that make up your day. Here we dive down into the minutia of life in East Texas, and what it takes to navigate that game called "life" in our part of Texas.

Getty Images/iStockphoto
Getty Images/iStockphoto
1
Not Being Seen In The Mall
Head down, eyes on your laces.
"If you don't see them, they don't see you" is the only way to play.
If you never look up, you don't have to know if you have lost. Another way to play this one is creeping around corners. Staying out of sight, instead of ignoring.
If you get spotted, you lose. So not a lot of room for error.
Sony Pictures
Sony Pictures
2
Number 2 In The Workplace
A well placed cough could go a long way to successfully navigating this game at work. Unless you keep a handful of change in your pocket. Those are some of the go to moves for making a rucks on the throne in earshot of your co-workers. Just don't forget the air freshener. If someone says "OMG what died in there" at any point, and you overhear it, you lose.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Getty Images/iStockphoto
3
Picking Up A Pecan
Growing up in East Texas there is food just lying about. When it's time to pick up all the pecans off the ground, you can use a pecan picker, or a grabber. Picking up as many pecans as possible without bending over is the object of the game. You could even slide off your flip-flop and try to get the most with your bare feet. Just use those toes to grab them up and sling them into the bucket. This one is a numbers game, so it's easy to keep score and advance to the next level, stepping on gumballs and acorns in bare feet.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Getty Images/iStockphoto
4
Picking A Lane To Drive In
What are you going to do?
Log Truck is in the fast lane, 1996 Ford Ranger pickup in the slow lane. It's a gamble, and everyone behind you is making their decisions. If any of the cars that you used to be in front of pass you after making their decision of the other lane, you lose. So be in front, and choose wisely.
Pecans with and without shells (The background)
Pecans with and without shells (The background)
5
Picking A Line At The Grocery Store
This decision will determine your destiny. I got in the wrong line at a store recently, and watched people that had gotten in another line well after me, leave the store. It's happened to all of us, you just have to know the warning signs. Anyone older than you at the register or in line in front of you is a no go. Learn what to look for, coupons, people that are going to buy cigarettes, or heaven forbid paying with a check, just avoid them and put a mark in the win column.
6
Don't Eat The Fries
You're picking food up for your family on your way home. The fast food employees set the fries on the top in the bag. They're staring at you. It'd be easy to reach over and eat just one.
How many times have you got all the way home and had to tell your family that they must have "forgot" the fries?
That means you lost the game.
7
Excuses, excuses
Finding a believable excuse to get out of a social function can be tough.
It makes me worry about health care professionals. How do nurses call in sick? They're employer will have them come in for a check up or medicine, right?

Categories: East Texas News