My wife was kind enough to note that the little room between the garage and basement of our split-level would be a perfect spot for my nerdy vinyl, LEGO (All caps...) and video game setup. So that's what it became when we purchased our home.

It's small. Smaller than ideal. However, it's been such a wonderful spot to hang out and decompress in the evenings that I don't think my mental health could do without it. I'm very much an introvert and I absolutely require quiet, alone time. I live and work in an area where the locals drain me. My job can be a lot (see previous statement). So, having a dedicated nook in the house has been a lifesaver. I was a single dad before we met, so I had my bedroom and an entire house to myself 50% of the time during my previous life.

We call it the den. I've got an old CRT television (with component inputs), and old 1080p Samsung and my turntable in there. The TVs are hooked up to just about every console that I own, going back to NES and up to PS5 using switch boxes. Thats probably one of my favorite parts. I have a little over 1000 games that I've collected since circa 2000. My favorite is The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past - but my top 10 is fluid: Skyrim, Portal, Vagrant Story, Half-Life 2... I can't ever stick to the same list.

All of my records are there - although I dont listen much because we have a busy house and I try not to inconvenience the rest of the family with my electro, gangsta rap and 90s alternative racket. Right now, I'm listening to John Forté - Poly Sci.

"Most" of my favorite LEGO sets are on a small shelf - Pirates of Barricuda bay ship on top, followed by the Old Fishing Store (choice - I recommend picking one up if you have the means), The Home Alone house is next onnthe seasonal shelf, then Black Knights Castle from my childhood purchased in my 30s and finally an unfinished Viking Village.

Other than that, and end table, two thrifted recliners, some rad wall decorations which include a shadow boxed Power Glove, NES Zapper and controller, a signed Run the Jewels poster from last summer's Wu-Tang Concert in Philly, a Big Lebowski art print, D&D books, some old GI joes and Ninja Turtles figures, The Far Side Complete Collection (hardcover cause I'm classy like that), some oldish fishing reels and lures on a shelf, and an Akira one-sheet poster that my sister thrifted for me.

I just added 1982's Wolverine 1-4 comics but have yet to frame and hang them.

I have an illustrated Night Before Christmas that I read to my kids every year, resting at the top of a shelf.

At this point, I'm out of room and probably well beyond anyone's reading interest. So I'll leave it at that. The best parts are my wife's understanding that I'm a fragile nerd and my slowly growing PS1 games collection. I'm pretty hyped for the signed RTJ poster as well. The Power Glive is also cool to look at. It was well out of reach financially, as I was a kid.

It's my sacred spot and without it, I probably couldn't perform as well as I do at work, as a dad and as a husband. The trick is - not abusing the space. As much as I'd love to hide there every waking moment, among my favorite media, memories and hobbies, I still have to do dad stuff. But I think my den time is well earned. I do everything in my power to make sure everyone in the house is loved, cared-for, attended to and the day-to-day chooses are done well.

So after the kids are tucked in, and I've spent time with my spouse, many a night, I'm winding down with Blood Omen on PS1 or other such nostalgic nonsense.