ok. just a quick note. got my atari working. finally. and guess what. it's definitely not as good as i remember. one of those things that gets old very quickly. your memory paints a much kinder picture than reality. sometimes it's best to just let dead dogs lie. no, no that's a horrible statement. i love dogs.

but nonetheless, i don't believe i'll play it again. ever. unless i have some friends over and i can show off the fact that i have atari 2600 up and running right there in my apartment....i can see it now. one of my buddies walks in...."hey, what's that? that looks like an old atari system!"....and i'll say "why yes friend. your eyes do not deceive you. and guess what? it works. why don't you fire that bad boy up and give it a try"....and my friend will say "you're kidding. really? i could try it. dude, i haven't played one of these since i was like 7 or something. this is crazy"....and i'll say "i know i know. it's crazy. go ahead, fire it up. that's what it's there for. don't be shy. go ahead." and for a few seconds it will appear to my friend that i've jumped up a few steps on the cool ladder but it won't last.

he'll soon turn it on. play a few games, maybe Pacman, Pitfall....his smile will start to fade...the exuberance draining from his face by the second....Space Invaders....with each blow into the machine to clear the dust his childhood will flash before him clearly...no...couldn't be....he'll try one more game...Asteroid. Yes, it's true. He'll turn to me and say "this sucks." I'll look at him with a knowing smirk. "You spent 3 weeks trying to get this thing running," he'll ask in disbelief. "You're an asshole." but it will be worth it.