I wasn't really old enough to work my little fingers into activating the "Konami Code" when Contra first came out, but what I can say is I played it years later and learned a valuable lesson: don't throw your controller at the screen. Okay, two valuable lessons: Contra teaches us versatility is key to winning life.
While the basic rifle is "good enough" in limited settings, most situations need a (S)pread gun or a (M)achine gun to save the day. However, don't even THINK about taking on a fortress without a (L)aser or (F)ireball gun. (R)apid makes everything better.
These are lessons engraved within my video-game-addled brain. The hippocampus is filled with level maps, the basal ganglia contains myriad key combinations, and they all work together to lend a helping hand to whichever situation could use a ↑ ↑ ↓ ↓ ← → ← → B A START. Believe me, there are many. This allows for survival in the workplace.
My marketing agency job demands I have knowledge of major blogging platforms for our clients. While Blogger may work in one situation, someone else may prefer Tumblr. One client will need the control of WordPress, and others like the features of Posterous.
If you think about it, these different tools are really just the guns from Contra. Not all soldiers and alien invaders should be taken down with the same power-up, and this also applies to clients. I sometimes have to remind myself I'm setting up a Blogger account rather than shooting them with a few rounds from my (F)ireball gun, but really, it's a minor difference. Konami hides the fact it was producing childhood life training simulators. I know their true intention.
When you approach this scenario with the mindset of a classic gamer, it becomes apparent the twin facets of Contra and blogging platforms can easily spiral together into a commonality shared through today's theme:
Versatility.
CONGRATULATIONS! YOU'VE DESTROYED THE VILE RED FALCON AND SAVED THE UNIVERSE. CONSIDER YOURSELF A HERO.
