He said it too quickly for me to even understand what he was saying, “Do you want to play Guitar Hero?”

“Huh?”

I rubbed my eyes.

Adrian repeated himself and this time I understood.

“I don’t know.”

“Well, I’ll play a song, and then you could try if you want.” He started off by playing Kansas’ “Carry On My Wayward Son.” I watched as he skillfully played the hard version of the song and followed the notes appearing on the television screen. It was like karaoke, but instead of following a bouncing ball or words lighting up, you were following different color notes and playing them on a plastic guitar.

Adrian set up me in practice mode. I started off by butchering “Sweet Child O’ Mine.” It wasn’t really my fault. My hand-eye coordination sucks since I hardly ever play video games and it took me a few tries to get used to the guitar/controller. By the end of my practice session, I felt confident enough to try the song on the easy level.

I was hooked. Adrian and I played for a few hours until we had to leave to attend my cousin Rene’s graduation party.

Since then, I’ve been itching to drive all the way back to Hacienda Heights to play again… but papers, work and other more important things kept me from going home.

I had the chance to play Guitar Hero again this weekend while I was home for Mamá Toni’s birthday dinner and Father’s Day. Adrian and I played again, this time together since he bought a second guitar. With two players, you can compete on the same song or collaborate so one person plays the bass line and the other plays the guitar part. He’s also reserved his copy of the next version of the game which features 80s music. I think the Guitar Hero songs are definitely going to be part of my summertime soundtrack.