Really? Number of kids injured playing computer games soars

By JOHN KAY
Chief Reporter

Published: 27 Jan 2010

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THE number of children hurt falling out of trees is plunging - while those injured playing COMPUTER GAMES soars.

Kids hooked on shoot-'em-ups are flocking to casualty with badly strained THUMBS, figures obtained by The Sun reveal.

Those suffering serious repetitive strain injuries last year after spending hours glued to consoles on games like huge hit Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare are up a massive 60 per cent since 2002.

Meanwhile there was a 50 per cent drop in youngsters aged 15 and under hurt pursuing the traditional childhood pastime of climbing trees.

The total was 885 compared to 1,796 seven years ago.

Skateboard, rollerskate, ski and other skating accidents tumbled by 57 per cent over the same period, a Freedom of Information request reveals.

Sociology professor Frank Furedi said sadly: "This fall in what would be perceived as traditional growing-up accidents is bad news for childhood.

"The digital bedroom culture is growing all the time at the expense of the outdoors.

"Doing physically challenging outdoor activities teaches children how to deal with risk - and they learn about their own strengths and weaknesses."

j.kay@the-sun.co.uk

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via thesun.co.uk

Wow...

Posted via web from Sweet John's posterous

I want an iPad and I don't care how stupid it make me look.

via apple.com

Yep.. I want one.

Posted via web from Sweet John's posterous

Tritton AX 720 Headset I think I'm in love..

via reviews.cnet.com

Awesome awesome awesome... Perfect for an apartment and late night movies/gaming....

Posted via web from Sweet John's posterous

My experience with Clear Wireless in Austin

I was walking in a Best Buy a couple weeks ago and was excited to see wireless broadband was coming to Austin. I showed up first thing on launch to find that my area was not covered. I got a call a few days later finding out it was. I then tried several times for a couple weeks always running into an unforeseen issue. Finally. I got signed up and waited a couple days for the salesperson to drop off the equipment. Arriving 20 minutes late to our appointment the salesman from Clear handed my modem for the home. (45 per month, a service level of 6mbs dl and 1mbs up, and a 5 fee for modem rental with a 2 year agreement) The next two days were spent turning the device micro degrees in the apartment to achieve a signal. Called Clear's customer service and tried to trouble shoot the problems I was having (at best a 1mbs dl w/ .07mbs up and a ping of 267). There suggestion (meant funny) was to move the hospital 50 ft that was blocking the service. My reply was to install another tower. Clear said it was too problematic and too much hassle goes into adding towers. So I cancelled. But the person on the phone tried to tell me I had to get my account transferred to another customer and they would give me a $25 gift card. This goes on until I say I just want to cancel and be done with Clear. They are not sending me a label and I will be shipping back my modem and getting a refund on the "trial" period. (It was a trial). Everyone at Clear seems very friendly but I am not sure I would recommend them to anyone. That's my take on Clear.

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I got one!!!

I got a Wii. Funny story I will post later.

Busy busy

Well, never got that day off inbetween things.. Life just is not stopping anytime for me soon. I am getting ready for the spring conference mayhem. Hopefully will be some amazing concepts in play.

In other news.. Diana was a rockstar for taking care of my most precious valuables. (dog and cat) I am so happy to see my animals!!

Also, got an XBOX 360.. I needed a multimedia portal. Plus, it plays some kick ass games!

Well, off to work on old and new projects!

And I hope I get my other phone line up soon... Argh!

I'm ready to go...

 

But... I can't. All packed.. Even had a boarding pass... Why? A long story.. But, I do get to watch an episode of Prison Break be filmed here... 

Git r dun!!!

The smell of gasoline, beer, and red necks... 

Who is whom???

I went to NASCAR at Texas Motor Speedway the other day.. A lot of fun!

 

So I was on my way to bed... Then...

It was a nice tour around Dallas... I met them at an event near mine and helped them in a time of need... So, they drove me around and I got some queso... I also got a basketball to the head, but that is a whole other story...

Thank you Arthur Porter...

Arthur made as a gift to my dog and Diana's these amazing dog collars. Arthur is one amazing individual. He has created a business of helping people achieve their dreams by teaching them crafts to make a living or to simply have fun. He gives back to his community ten fold.

Thank you!

Also, Diana's dog Bella gets the gorgeous brown collar with blue crystals and matching leash. Mollie, my dog, will get the bad ass red collar.

The final countdown...

I can almost taste the queso!!! Only a few more days until I get to see all the faces I have missed for a month! I can't wait to see my dog!! I am going to watch TV! Sleep in a real bed! Drink ICE cold Lone Stars at Dallas Nightclub! See a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse! Hit South Congress!! Look out Austin, I am coming home!

The home stretch...

It is now less than a week until I return home. This time away has been pretty amazing, but, I can't wait to return to my beloved Austin.

Halloween in Dallas

Halloween Night in Dallas 2006

Halloween is definately not the same as Austin. I did win $150 in a costume contest!

Rabbit in the Moon

Rabbit in the Moon

Check this out.. Crazy...

My fans...

 

Met a lot of people last night... These two dragged me all around the bar and showed me to every person they knew. I need to get a handler and security for my own safety! 

He's an angry elf...

 

I decided I could not do fast food anymore so a little trip to Trinity Hall for an amazing dinner and pint of good brew. Matt could not stop laughing when I walked in, but, the rest of the restaurant loved it! Instant celebrity status and paparrazzi! 

The After Party...

 

 

We all headed out to a place called the "Double Wide"... There are some amazing dive bars in Dallas. There was a punk cover band that ROCKED!! 

The Secret Machines..

 

 

It was a rough day... Almost stayed in.. Bad news for me and one of my closest, Diana. But, sometimes, you just have to put things aside and reset..

The Secret Machines show was what the doctor ordered. Thanks Craig for not letting me stay couped up in the loft... 

Post Decemberists...

 

 

 

I went to see one of my favorite bands, The Decemberists! Good times! Plus, a good pub afterwards! 

A day to breathe...

The Texas State Fair!

Well, maybe not a day off, but I took a couple hours and left the building. Meagan, Guillome, and myself checked out the Texas State Fair. Can you say Fletcher's Corn Dogs! And Corn!!! I love corn!! I even had fried oreos!!

The day has come...

October 19 - The Big Gala!

Check out all the hard work from over 40 artists and a team of over 100 to make the Art of the Can a reality!

Oh, and this is just Day One...

Team Creative!

Meagan and Aaron getting on the WiFi in the production office. So much to be done.. So little time..

Slowly but surely..

Things are arriving for the paties we are having to celebrate the opening of the exhibit...

Man down...

Ok, our curator, to meet the deadline, worked himself to the wee hours. I wonder if the floor here is better than a Sleep Number mattress...

All over the city...

I was blown away by the size of this.. The real thing is less than 2 feet tall. I think this exhibition is going to suprise everyone!

Back in the big D...

I am back in Dallas... This time for a month. I will be here until mid November for the Red Bull Art of the Can exhibition. Should be a lot of fun and hard work! (But I know I am going to miss my beloved Austin!)

Sweet John lite!

Naughty...

Diana and I headed out to the usual hangout, Dallas, as it was one of my last nights in Austin for awhile.

Trouble...

Noah, Jenna, Diana, John
Sonya, Jinny, and Jac...
T R O U B L E!!!

I am so proud...

Diana is going to school! I am so happy she is going in the direction she wants to after so much she has gone through to get here. Way to go Potter!

Jac hearts me!