When Grandma and Grandpa Won't Let Go Of Their Grandchildren's Vidoe Game Remote Control

What do you do when your soon-to-be 70 year old mother thinks she is a Commando in Call To Duty, or your father, a few years older than your mother, thinks he's a mysterious assassin on a mission to save the world?

Do you:
1. Call their grandchildren and have the kids explain that vidoe games were not made for ARP carrying card holders?

2.  Do you encourage them to explore their inner-video game self?

3.  Do you seize the opportunity and create an 'Over 60 Gamer Tournement' in Las Vegas?

Welcome to my world . . . a world where my parents have become video game junkies.

As a best-selling author and long-term supporter of literacy, not only am I an avid reader, but I am a person who enjoys recommending books I think my friends would enjoy.

Though I love the feel and texture of bound books, I have come to also embrace the ease and accessibility of my e-readers (I have both an Amazon Kindle Fire and a Barnes & Noble Nook tablets).  This said, there is little I treasure more than my large and growing library collection of books.

My love of books and reading runs deep. I embrace the notion that a book is a free ticket to anywhere in the universe.  And so, as you may imagine, my life is filled with many adventures as I travel in the written words that my imagination fancifully embraces.

So over the past year, I thought that I would purchase my parents Kindle Fires.  At first I was unsure about getting my father a Kindle, but since my mother was an avid reader, I thought that she too would embrace the ease of using an e-reader as opposed to having to lug around her books.

With moderation in mind, I first purchased my mother a Kindle. 

And it was a giant hit.  My mother loves her Kindle.  She uses it to read, to check her email, to browse the news, and to sporadically connect with her friends on the social networks she belongs to.  She also loves doing something else with her Kindle . . .

Enter my father, who mind you, I purchased a Kindle after a short time of my mother receiving her Fire.  You see, it was only after about 3 weeks that my mother discovered that she enjoyed playing video games on her Kindle.

My father became curious, interested, and like my mother ... obsessed.

Seriously, my mother and father have become video game addicts.

Their primary game of choice?

Slotto Mania . . .

How bad is it?

Well, let me say this: every 2 or 4 hours  Slotto Mania gives away fictitious money to its players.  And if you miss the window to 'Collect Your Money', then you miss out on having additional money to play.   Now, fortunately, there is no real money involved, otherwise I would be real worried.

Nevertheless, my parents are very conscious to collect there money.  It's like they've become loan sharks making sure that the Kindle pays up . . .

So imagine, here are my two senior parents .... they're far from old .... and at midnight, one of them is up to make sure that they are collecting their Slotto Mania money.  Then, depending on if the 'Collect Your Money' notification is marked for 2 hours or 4 hours (it varies), the other one will be responsible for collecting their money at that time. 

Imagine you have the midnight shift, I'll take the 2 a.m. shift, and then you're on call for the 4 a.m. shift, etc.

Sure sounds like someone is taking care of  a newborn, but that can't be possible - my parents are or are approaching their 70's!

Now from what I understand, and what I have witnessed with my own eyes ... they play their video games for several hours during the day.  Now mind you, my parents are very active individuals ... I mean, very active.  Which makes it even that much more comical to know that during their downtime, they are playing video games.  And of course, getting up at 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. sure seems a bit obsessive.

I could only imagine what any parent would say to their young child if this type of behavior was exhibited.  But its not like I can ground my parents to take their Kindle away. 

And like children who first discover the wonderment of video games, my parents are beginning to branch out. 

I'm just waiting to walk into their house and see them playing Call Of Duty or Assassins Creed. 

As for using Kindle for what I hoped would be an enriching experience of reading, well, on occasion a book I recommend does get downloaded.  Thank God!

But in their senior years, and with Christmas approaching, my only question is do I purchase them a PlayStation, a Wii, or an Xbox?  In our home, we have all three - each has their merits.

So in case you're wondering what I will be doing this Saturday, I will be shopping for a video console and some games for my . . . mother and father!

As my soon-to-be 97 year old spectacular grandmother Ida has said to me often throughout my life, "Life is to mysterious to take is serious and if you do it will make you delirious."

Happy Holidays my friends,

Peter

I CARE Foundation Supports I DEMAND A PLAN Calling For Stringent Gun Control

The overwhelming sadness and concern our nation feels in the aftermath of the tragedy of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy that took place in Newton, Connecticut should be equally measured by all individuals with intolerance of a lack of gun control and ammunition laws that will protect against the insanity of these unthinkable, incomprehensible events from happening again.

As we mourn the murder of the 20 young, innocent children, the taking of life of 6 defenseless educators, and the deadly assault of a mother who died at the hands of her child who she spent her life trying to help - as we grieve for the families who have suffered due to this mass murder - and as we recall the many innocent lives who were victims of murder by firearms, we must create a widespread and sweeping plan that will be directed at significantly lowering the 48,000 American citizens who are expected to be murdered by a gun during the upcoming next four years of President Obama's presidency.


The I CARE Foundation supports New York City Mayor Bloomberg and the scores of hundred's of mayors from around the nation who support the I DEMAND A PLAN and the MAYORS AGAINST ILLEGAL GUNS.  We thank and support Hizzoner's commitment to limit ease and access to guns because guns are the instrument that people use to kill.

It is unthinkable that nearly 48,000 American children will be murdered by a gun over the next 4 years.

It is unthinkable that nearly 125,000 American children will be murdered by a gun over the next 10 years.

It is incomprehensible to accept that the entire population of cities such as Simi Valley, Hartford, Ann Arbor, Flint, Cedar Rapids, East Los Angeles, Topeka, Stamford, Vallejo, or Springfield have less than the total expected number of murdered American's over the next ten years by the bullet of a gun.

It is unacceptable to think that the expected number of gun-related murders is equal to three entire professional baseball stadiums filled with cheering fans dying due to some cataclysmic event.

As we mourn all those who lost their life in Newton, Connecticut and as we remember the murder victims everywhere - not just those innocent lives who lost their life due to a mass-targeting - but everyone - the I CARE Foundation Demands a Plan.

We support all new laws that will prohibit the sale or possession of assault rifles.

We support all new laws that will prohibit the sale of all ammunitions designed to take human life, including bullets designed to pierce body armor.

We support all new laws and measures that will protect law enforcement officers in their line of duty.

We support new federal initiatives that would utilize technology to ensure that a firearm cannot be used unless the fingerprints of the user match the license use of the specific firearm.

We support the I DEMAND A PLAN initiative because, as child advocates fighting day-in and day-out to protect innocent children from international kidnapping and trafficking, we seek to celebrate life and each person's right to pursue happiness.

We can't imagine that it would take the immediate loss in totality of every individual living in a mid-sized American city such as those mentioned above for our nation's leaders to act.

Senator Feinstein

We support California Senator Feinstein's plan to reintroduce legislation to ban assault weapons.  We take the honorable Senator's words optimistically when she said that, "“I’m going to introduce in the Senate and the same bill will be introduced in the House, a bill to ban assault weapons. It will ban the sale, the transfer, the importation and the possession. Not retroactively but prospectively. And it will ban the same for big clips, drums or strips of more than 10 bullets. So there will be a bill. We’ve been working on it now for a year.” 

Senator Schumer

We take note that New York State Senator Charles Schumer that Congress "Could get something done," but only if the paradigm of the debate shifts. He said gun control advocates on the left must acknowledge that the Second Amendment allows the right to bear arms and that the right must stop engendering fear in gun owners that the gun control advocates want to take away all guns.

Schumer said his proposals would not interfere with the Second Amendment but would offer protections. He proposes a reinstatement of the assault weapons ban, a limit to the size of clips available for purchase and restrictions placed on the mentally unstable from obtaining guns.

We take note with hopeful optimism that the words "These tragedies must end," and that "We can't tolerate this anymore" spoken by President Obama will lead to a sweeping plan.

We acknowledge that the House of Representatives has year-after-year passed legislation that banned assault weapons; however, we also acknowledge that the Senate has been gridlocked.

President Obama

We urge all Senators to stop the gridlock and get something done.  We can't imagine anyone would need a semi-automatic, high velocity AR-15 Bushmaster assault rifle that is capable of letting out 30 rounds?

In honor of the memory of all who have lost their lives while being mindful of all our responsibilities to prevent the murder of more innocent lives, the I CARE Foundation is in support of the I DEMAND A PLAN Campaign and asks everyone to sign the petition urging our lawmakers to create and pass a sweeping plan that will significantly reduce the expected 125,000 Americans that will lose their life over the next 10 years on American soil by a bullet.

The I CARE Foundation

Finally, we take particular note that our society faces challenges when it comes to aiding and assisting individuals who suffer from neurological and mental health challenges, particularly individuals who, upon age of adulthood, fall out of social service support.  We recognize that this issue, similar to gun control, is complex.  Yet, in the dialogue of what tragically occurred in Newton, we believe it necessary that this issue is brought to light.

Our hearts are very heavy today, as they have been for the past few days due to the losses that have occurred.  Little said or done can ever bring back the lives of the innocent lives that were lost.  However, we can demonstrate our caring and true intent by creating new laws and policies that will stop the violence of guns. 

The Board of Directors and the Special Advisory Board of the I CARE Foundation urges everyone to please sign the I DEMAND A PLAN petition and support all initiatives that will address gun control laws.

As Hizzoner Mayor Bloomberg correctly said, "Words alone cannot heal our nation, only action can."

On Behalf of the I CARE Foundation 

- Peter Thomas Senese -
 Founding Director 




http://www.demandaplan.org/

Peter Thomas Senese Singing - Gangnam Style

Over the past year, I have quietly been inside the recording studio working on my first music video. So here it is . . . enjoy it!! -Peter Thomas Senese - Best-selling author, child advocate, filmmaker, and now .... mucical recording artist!

 

Peter Thomas Senese - Flying Gangnam Style

A Very Sepcial Day For Me - Helping Children

For over a decade I have remained active with a handful of hospitals that are dedicated to helping children fighting cancer or any other serious illness. 

As a cancer conqueror myself, as a professional with a history of investing in cancer research, and as a person who embraces my social responsibility, I have done what I can to financially support several hospitals, including the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and an assortment of Children's Hospitals.


I know first-hand that fighting cancer is not easy.  I also know that my life changed for the better in many ways when I had to fight the dragon because life and its beauty came to me in ways I had never previously experienced.  In seeing the magic, in my own way, I found my inner 'PAN'. 

I also know that the dragon is very powerful, and has the ability of taking life here on earth.  But in having my PAN fight the dragon, I also came to deeply understand that God does exist, and so too does Heaven.

I have come to understand that each of us can be 'PAN', and that no matter what, we can see magic ... and there is another place we all will go to.  A very magical place.

Each year I literally save my pennies, nickles, dimes, quarters, ones, fives, tens, twenties .... whatever I can and put these monies in a 'Neverland' box.  The box is rather big.  Sometimes, during the year I empty the coins in the box and exchange them for bills.  I did that a few times this year.   And I am very blessed that I have a wonderful partner who is willing to give up a few niceties like a vacation or a fancy dinner or a new pair of shoes and toss the money saved into the 'Neverland' box.  Our efforts add up.

Then once a year -like today -  I take the money I saved - and I go and purchase Nintendo DS's or Sony PS's along with a video game or two that I give to the children being treated at the cancer ward of a few of the hospitals. Of course, I am mindful that some of the children may not be able to play the video games: some simply can't while others are to young and would prefer something else.  So I always have on hand a bunch of fashionable princesses and Lego, and coloring books - but most of all what I bring is the spirit of Peter Pan.

You see, if the medical doctors initial diagnosis of my cancer fight was correct, I would have been dead a long time ago.  It was nearly 15 years ago that I was first diagnosed with a brain tumor, followed by being diagnosed with neurofibromatosis II - which were both death sentences.

But I found my shadow.  And though you might think it odd, finding my PAN saved my life.

So you see, at 6 foot tall, and even at 47 year old, my body is very strong, those children that I visit in their Neverland, they don't see some old guy bringing toys . . . instead, they see Peter Pan - fighter and conqueror of the dragon.  And when I sit with them, and I tell them the stories of Pan fighting the dragon, of one Mr. James C. Hook, they always lean in . . . they understand.  And I know they find their PAN . . . even if for a short time because God has other plans for them. 

But you see . . . life is filled with magic.  And it becomes magical when you believe.  And God knows I believe.

I really believe.

And so in a few minutes I will be off to shop for these children, knowing that it is not the material gift that matters the most (though at times it helps, particularly when some of these children have no parents there with them [it is true] since they are wards of the state at the ages of 3, and 4, and 5).

And then over the next two weeks I will begin making my rounds to the hospitals, and hopefully teaching as many children as possible how to catch their shadow . . . and how to see the magic because it is right before their eyes - all they have to do is believe.

So today is a very important day for me.  It seems as if so much of my life evolves around keeping several promises I made.  One, when I was fighting the brain tumor that nearly took my life, was that I would do what I could to help others fighting the dragon should I live.  Thus, my ongoing support of research and other outreach at a handful of hospitals.  And of course, several times a year, with Christmas being the biggest time, I get to share the PAN that lives within me with others.  And so if you are wondering why I am willing to fight for children - this is part of the reason.

Fighting cancer should never be taken lightly.  But when trying to overcome any illness, we must learn to use all the tools . . . all the magic that is around us.  This includes the aid of modern medicine, homeopathic treatment, lots and lots of pray, and of course - finding the magic and embracing it.

Life is short. Eventually our spirits move to the next Adventure.

This past Thursday morning, my dear friend Robert Medori passed away while fighting the dragon.  Bobby is one of the nicest persons I have ever known.  He was a good, caring, and loving man, and though he will be missed here on earth, he will always be with me. 

And so today, Bobby will surely be joining me as we shop for the children.

Love Life.  Embrace Life's Magic.

Find your  . . . PAN

- Peter -

U.S. Senate Passes SR 543: Condemns International Parental Child Abduction

I am thrilled to share that this past Tuesday evening, December 4th, 2012, the United States Senate, led by my California Senator Barbara Boxter, passed Senate Resolution 543 which uniquivicably condemns the criminal and abusive act against children known as international parental child abduction.

Senator Boxter initially introduced the resolution before the Senate this past August.  In September the SR 543 went before Senator Kerry's Foreign Affairs Committee.

SR 543 has the potential to be a major game-changer for all children who have been taken or who may be targeted for international kidnapping at the hands of another parent.

For a detailed analysis of SR 543, please read the commentary of the I CARE Foundation.

And in advance, thank you for sharing this information with others.

- Peter Thomas Senese -
Founding Director
The I CARE Foundation

Watch This Video Of A Guy Climbing A Skyscraper During Hurricane Sandy. Seriously

It has been a month since Hurricane Sandy wrecked havoc on the Northeastern seaboard, including Breezy Point, Rockaway, Long Beach, and the entire New Jersey shore.

The day the hurricane hit New York City, I was driving my car when I noticed high in the air some guy climbing a 20 story skyscraper in the midst of gusting winds.

Seriously folks ....

Now, if you're a parent ... please don't teach your child to do this!

Believing In Miracles

Earlier today I received another beautiful letter from a parent who was a great risk of having their child internationally abducted.

As this particular mother who I am very fond of said, "If it were not for the assistance of several of the I CARE Foundation's team, my child would have been taken and my life ruined forever."

Well, her child was not taken, her life was not ruined, and she can continue with her concentrated studies of becoming a neurologist.  And that is pretty cool because as opposed to this amazing mother chasing the cyclone of abduction into a non-Hague country for her child, she is working on getting that beautiful 'M.D.' so she can one day soon create more than a few miracles herself.

C - I am very happy for you my friend.  And yes, I will take you up on the two slices of pizza and a rootbeer soda!

In case you're wondering why I believe in Miracles - This is why!