Random Things I discovered from the long weekend…

• Stranger than Fiction, although starring Will Farrell, is not a Will Farrell movie.  In spite of that, I enjoyed the story, and there were a few laughs in there, too.
• Gary Nomura, my wingman on the great Wii Adventure, is my new hero.  I’ll tell you the story if you really want to hear it, but to sum up, Gary pulled hope from the plaque-laden jaws of despair this weekend to ensure the quest ended on a high note.
• When you have a new Wii, you can get by on 3 1/2 hours of sleep until around 7 pm the following night.
• Casino Royale is a fun movie that gives James Bond a new side we haven’t seen.  It grounds the superhero in reality.
• My wife is a serious babe.  Our eight years of marriage (as of yesterday) haven’t aged her prematurely, as our friends had projected.
• I’ll talk next time about Random thoughts from the upcoming long weekend!  Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!

Did I conquer?

You tell me.

Final Entry (before the weekend)

My name is Brent Larson, and this is my final entry (until Monday).

Over a year ago, rumors began to circulate of something new and unprecedented in the video gaming world. It was code named Revolution. I began to plan.

A few months ago the rumors transformed into reality, and the code-name Revolution gave way to a name. A name that would literally haunt my dreams. Wii. A release date was announced. I pulled out a calendar.

A few weeks ago, my efforts to secure a preorder were rebuffed. I knew then that there was no way I could avoid standing in a long line. I was undaunted. I knew there would be several retailers around Orlando that would be selling November 19 without preorders. I pulled out a map.

I knew it would be difficult to pull this off on my own. I enlisted the aid of a friend, Gary Nomura, also a die-hard Nintendo freak. We commiserated.

And now it’s almost here. I’ve got a checklist, warm clothes, snacks, reading material, and an early Sunday morning schedule, completely cleared.

On Monday, you will know if I have failed…or prevailed.

Gary is my wingman. God is my copilot.

This is Brent Larson, last contender for the Revolution.  Signing off.

Less than three days…

I just drove by Waterford’s Best Buy and there’s tents outside, full of college students with nothing to do but wait overnight for the release of the Playstation 3.  I’m a little worried.  Nintendo has promised that it will release many more of their Wii consoles than Sony has with its PS3, but I also now have a reminder of how far people will go to get their hands on what they want.

Am I that dedicated?  I’m planning on parking  outside a different Best Buy, as early as midnight before the November 19 launch.  Will this be early enough?  I have a sinking feeling in my gut, and I don’t think it’s the frappacino…

Random Things I Discovered this Weekend…(Sailing edition)

Darcy and I went sailing for a few days with my mother-in-law and her husband and their new 35 foot “Island Packet” sailboat. Here’s some things I learned:

• Sailboats have motors in the back, in case there’s no wind. Bizarre but true!!
• There’s something called the InterCoastal Waterway, or ICW, that is like sailing on a river even though it’s more related to the ocean.
• I am not a sailor. It’s too hard (or at least it looks that way). I’m more of a you-do-it-all-for-me cruise guy.
• Stephen King’s recent book “Cell” isn’t bad, although it’s nowhere near a “The Stand” or “It.” It’s capable of being read in three days.
• There’s not much to do on a sailboat but read. Not that I’m complaining!
• I think I’m good for a four day sailing. Anything longer is probably too much.
• We have cool friends who take care of our pets and give us rides (this is more of a rediscovering)!
• Now that I’m safetly back at home, I can think of more pressing things–such as that the Nintendo Wii is released in less than a week! It’s go time, people!

My world is spinning…

Well, it’s a new day in America–and I’m still reeling from the news.  It’s been a long few years, and I know we were all wondering how long the good times would last before it all went sour.  Well, it’s happened folks, and I can’t say I was terribly surprised. But we’ll get through this…I have faith.  And maybe it’ll be good for the country, too.  Seriously, now that Brittany’s kicked K-Fed to the curb, aren’t we all winners?

Random Things I Discovered this Weekend…

• This is actually from last weekend–The Mummy Returns has a dad who takes care of his family, a mom who’s smart and loves the dad, and a kid who respects both.  Weird, I know.
• I have two friends who (and I still am coming to grips with the horror) that are keeping active tabs on Debbie Gibson’s present career.
• The Pebbles cereals (Fruity and Cocoa) remain my personal favorites, both in texture and in taste.
• Paper Mario is one of the most addictive Nintendo games I’ve played in recent memory.
• Sonny’s Barbecue isn’t great, but it doesn’t deserve all the bad word-of-mouth.
• Serving communion in church isn’t as easy as it looks.
• We have cool friends (this is more of a rediscovering).
• Ding dong, Mr. Eko’s dead!

What’s it like outside?

Here’s a little window into the random thoughts I think–and the possible cause from which they spring.

Three weeks ago-average high temp around 95 degrees F: “Get off the road! Four way stops aren’t that hard, Brainiac! And you with the Mustang–you don’t deserve such a sweet ride!  Our society’s Fed-Exing itself to hell!”

Two weeks ago-average high temp around 82 dedgrees F: “Ah, life is good!  Hello world!  Hello tree!  Dexter, you ate my cable bill, you delightful scamp!

One week ago-average high temp around 92 degrees F: “My yard looks like crap!  I’m never going to be successful!  My Sentra is an embarassment to our family name!  Dexter did what?!”

Today-high of 74 degrees F:  “It’s a Friday!  Isn’t life wonderful?  My, doesn’t my Sentra get good mileage? It’s good to have a car that runs!  It’s good to be alive!  Oh good, more political commercials–my favorite!”

Get a job, sucka!

My friend Gary Nomura, who I am commiserating with in planning the scoring of a Nintendo Wii, forwarded me an article saying that some retailers are letting people stand in line up to two days before the release of the Wii on the 19th. What is this, really? Are retailers saying, in effect, that people who call in sick to work, or who forsake their families, in order to stand in line for a video game system are to be rewarded with good placement for a Wii? This country is going to hell on a handcart! And I’m personally going to do the sending if I don’t get a Wii come 11/19.

Thank you. Please return to your normally scheduled day.

Conspiracy #29

I was checking out video game news on Gamespot.com on Monday. They had a news item that went something like this: “If you missed the preorder of the Nintendo Wii a few weeks ago, don’t worry! Toys R Us is doing another preorder on October 29! Be there!” Several seconds later (I think I blacked out for a while there) I checked my calendar to verify what I already knew…I was reading this post on the 30th. Once again, I get the news just a little too late.

Who is doing this to me? Who are you?! SHOW YOURSELF, COWARD!!!!!!!