I miss my travelogue already— I don't have anything to write about!

The story for the Blizzard contest is not going well. After an initial bout of writing, I haven't been able to find my headspace to keep pushing forward on it. I'm going to try again after finishing this post, but who knows what will happen. The deadline is this coming Sunday so I need to get it finished quickly though...

Over the past few weeks I've gotten several nice replies to the erotic stories that I posted online. Sure, they're just anonymous internet people who have written back, but, on the other hand, they're anonymous internet people who took the time to write back— something that they were under no compulsion at all to do. I didn't get a creepy vibe from any of them either. One reader even claimed to not be gay; he just happen to stumble across one of the stories and found it to be a compelling read. That kind of response is heartening, even if I don't want to be known for writing softcore porn!

On Saturday night I went out to Gamestop at midnight to pick up my new DSi. This is the updated Nintendo DS. (If I hadn't paid for it months ago— when I didn't have to worry about my income so much— there's little chance I would've been able to get one now!) It's a nifty device with several updates that won't really be exploited by developers for some time yet. There are two cameras, one each on the outside and inside, an improved sound system, an external slot for reading SD cards, and internal memory for accessing a new online DS store and downloading titles. It's more like having a mini-Wii in your hand now (without motion sensing). I downloaded the browser software right away (free!) and checked it out. The top screen is a larger view of the page you're looking at, and the lower screen is a close-up of a small portion thereof. You can use the stylus to tap links in the lower screen. Its use seems to be limited, but it's a nice feature to have waiting for that one-time use.

I used the new console as an excuse to launch one of the many RPGs I've collected and not played yet— Dragon Quest IV. Those who know my gaming habits know I've been consumed by Pokémon on my DS since last summer. I started Pokémon Diamond at the end of June. Since then, I've finished the storyline and finished all the unlockable events that I know of. I'm now concerned with filling out my pokédex. I've 'seen' all the pokémon in the game, and I only have 30 more to catch. After that, there are still more things I can do if I choose to. However, it's been fun these past few days to play the RPG instead.

I know, no one reading this gives a shit about Pokémon...

I don't know if I've mentioned that I'll be going to Vegas at the end of the month. My brother bought a nice vacation for himself and his wife, and I assumed it was an anniversary gift of some sort. But, after getting the whole thing arranged, they then turn around and invite family on both sides to join them. I'm looking forward to having a decent hotel room all to myself and a few days of throwing my quarters away on the slot machines. Of course, while I'm there, I won't be throwing away my money as much as I will be trying to win enough to buy a new car.  :-P

My friend Lauri has called twice now while I've been writing this post. She is someone I met while doing stand-up comedy, and she is one of the funniest people I've ever met. Right now she is attending improvisation classes with two different improv theatres and has been making short movies with other friends and on her own. She called me last night to ask me to be in one that she'll be making soon, and I'll be sure to post it someday if it gets finished. In the meantime, here's Lauri as Dan the Man, one of her regular characters:

Single White Wierdo - Dan The Man - watch more funny videos

I guess that's about it for tonight.

Until next time!

"I recently learned something quite interesting about video games. Many young people have developed incredible hand, eye, and brain coordination in playing these games. The air force believes these kids will be our outstanding pilots should they fly our jets."— Ronald Reagan