Baptizing The Punch Buggy

Have you ever heard a game called “Punch buggy”?

It’s game which typically involves two people. While you’re out and about, the first person who spots a Volkswagen Beatle (a “bug”) gets to punch the other person on the arm and, if it’s blue, gets to do it twice! It’s like a violent version of “Eye Spy”. Horrible, right?!

1 Punch

2 Punches

Give peace a chance

This rather violent game was introduced to me by my friend, Loony, when I first visited her in Miami. However, Loony’s version of the game was devoid of physical combat, replacing punches with a point system, two points for blue bugs and one point for any other colour. This form of the game has the advantage that it can be played across continents, something we’ve done many times while I’ve lived here in San Diego 🙂

NOTE: I have it on good authority, that the official rules of punch buggy excludes “classic” VW Beatles. Those be the rules 🙂

Let’s Baptize Stuff!

Throughout history, Christianity has often chosen to “baptize” secular things, taking words, ideas and activities and, after cleansing them of parts incompatible with the Faith, adopted them for use within the Christian worldview.

Well, a few months ago I decided to “baptize” the Punch buggy game, replacing the points and punches with aspirations! Aspirations (sometimes called “ejaculations”…c’mon, no sniggering now…) are very short prayers that can be said in only a few seconds. So, for example, upon seeing a bug I would pray “Alleluia!”, or “Lord have mercy!” if I saw a blue one.

Given my great love of Eastern Christianity I soon starting using Eastern aspirations, which work really well when driving around with someone else who knows how to play the game. Upon seeing a bug I pray “Glory to Jesus Christ!”, the other person giving the response of “Glory Forever!”.

Since I often get very short-tempered while on the road, I find that pronouncing blessings and praising God really helps to improve my mood and makes me much more mindful of God while rushing from appointment to appointment.

I know, it’s a little weird, but then again, I’m a little weird.