All prices are with shipping unless noted. eBay items are with buy-it-now price for bidding-hassle free shopping and include search links in case item linked is sold).

Component to VGA Transcoder - $51.50 (ebay search here)
PS2 component cables - $6.62 (ebay search here)
Motorstorm for PS3 (Import from Japan) - $63.00
Mahjong Taikai IV (Import from Japan)- $53.00
Magic Switch + SMD Combo - $29.00 (last item at bottom of page)
Treo Headphone adapter - $6.28 (ebay search here)
Sony MDR-EX51 Headphones - $20.00 (ebay search here)
Mahjong Tile Set ~ $25.00 (Bid and win...buy it now too high) Preferred Acutions by ending date: 1, 2, 3, 4, ebay search here, Amazon $33 shipped

Total: $254.40-262.40

I'm installed Linux before each time to get utterly frustrated with owned by the Dominatrix-style learning curve. That combined with the inability to port my "windows experience" have kept me from really committing to Linux.

I really couldn't give a you-know-what about the free software (both ways). I've never paid for a copy of Windows and I don't plan to (argh!). I'm also very good at making it run well (quick, no viruses, no spyware). I like using Windows, so I'm in no hurry to switch to something else.

However, my main reason for using Linux is a curiosity and learning standpoint. I'm here for the academics.

Right now I'm using ubuntu because it's user-friendly and hey, it even recognized my wifi out of the box, how cool is that?

Well I managed to finish compiling in just under 30 minutes...much faster than I was led to believe it would be. Yay for Athlon x2 @ 2300 mhz.

- Money. You don't want to do all this for nothing.

- Dry Food - snack crackers, cookies, chips. You will get hungry.

- 2-3 Bottle of favorite liquid refreshment - Try not to take too many. Gotta pee? Better hope everyone else is okay with you getting back in line.

- Cell phone - In case you need to call a friend when you get bored or need something. Maybe the pizza place will deliver to you. Get some for your commrades, it'll pay when you need to pee.

- Seating - One of those folding camping chairs. Even better with the foot-rest extensions. Some people can get away with sleeping in these.

- Sleeping bag - I need something comfortable to sleep in.

- Time-Passing - Handheld games, PDA-phone, books, epalying cards, etc. You NEED this.

- Deoderant - Please.

If your line is outside

- Tent - the type that require no spikes in the ground. I know it's going to rain tomorrow around here and you won't

- Bundling - Parkas, Jakets, Long Johns, Throws It's going to be cold around here.

Things that could be cool if they were allowed:

- Grill - Most places might take issue with this, but when you have a couple packs of hotdogs and a way to cook them, you'll make fast friends with everyone.

Optional but maybe good:

Change of clothes - I can change by putting my new clothes on top of the old ones and pulling the old ones off if I can't get out of line for a second.

I'm probably going to be hitting the lines tomorrow night and I suggest you do so soon as well. Good night!

PS - Don't forget about my launch guide!

We are supposed to have severe thunderstorms passing through tomorrow though.

I found this notice on the door at Rhino Video Games

Here's the lines at Best Buy and Circuit City.

The Playstation Launch Guide version 1.2 now available.

.TXT version Here
.PDF version Here
.DOC version Here

I promise my Video Game System camp-out guide to come in an hour or two.

Two new Ollie Williams clips from Family Guy since the "Best of" was made

It lists all retailers in the Chattanooga area carrying the PS3, what time they go on sale, how they are doing the sale, and how many systems will be available (if known). It also lists all the addresses and phone numbers for all locations in the area of each retailer. Things that are in red are unknown or likely but unconfirmed. The .DOC version is recommended so you can edit and have the formating, but .TXT is available as well .PDF for those who can't open word documents.

.TXT version Here
.PDF version Here
.DOC version Here

That is version 1.0 that doesn't include my corrections and additions from today's trek to the stores. I'll be adding that tonight and make it available as soon as that's done.

I had some fun going from store to store getting information...Walmart is interesting because they are handing out tickets to those in line, at some point. The information originally leaked to the net from Walmart's "playbook" said at "10 PM or possibly ealier". The first Walmart I went to said the tickets would be handed out at midnight as the launch starts...sounds kinda pointless to me. As I played Guitar Hero II demo at the instore PS2 display, the worker later came up to me and told me that she consulted with her manager and they don't know when the tickets will be handed out. The next two I went to didn't even know they were using a ticketing system. I stopped at Best Buy (in Hamilton Place) where I found Chattanooga's only camper (so far).

The also have a kiosk where you can play game demos.

I was also in Target when it seems the entire electronics staff had left. On the counter was a folder with their PS3 marketing info, a dvd, and PS3 lanyards. I was going to take it, but I knew as soon as I did the whole staff would return at the same time and tackle me.

Look back later tonight and I'll be telling you what you need to make you pre-launch line waiting the best possible. And I'll give you the updated Playstation 3 Launch Information Guide.

We have had the pleasure of watching a launch in Japan, but just what did it tell us? One thing people are becoming increasingly aware of is that with each launch of the "next generation" of consoles the demand leads to long lines and high prices. And this year looks to be no different.

If you hadn't heard the PS3 comes in two flavors. One is $500 and comes with a 20 GB hard drive. The other is $600 and comes with a 60 GB hard drive, Wi-fi, and built in Compact Flash, Memory Stick Pro/Duo, and SD card readers. Many people regarded prices this high (highest ever for console at realease) as prohibitive and some thought sales would be low. However, in Japan all 80,000 available units sold out [slashdot.org]. It is worth mentioning that in Japan the low-end PS3 sold for approximately $410 dollars while the high-end system was sold at "market price" (retailer sets the price) which was ¥62,700 (approx. $534) here [kotaku.com].

Kotaku also has an e-mail sent to them about the launch experiences and observation of a foriegner in Japan and characterizes it as a "dark side" to the launch [kotaku.com].

The e-mail takes issue (And blames Sony) with the following:

- People in line are unruly
- People buying PS3s are poor Chinese-nationals and homeless people who are being paid by Japanese business men who intend to re-sell (scalp) on ebay or other places for more than the retail price.

I don't see how you can blame Sony for people being idiotic and unruly. People's behavior is not a responsibility that falls on Sony. If people become unruly and a public disturbance they are breaking the law and it is law-enforcement's job to take care of that.

Also what is wrong with people buying consoles and reselling them if they see fit. There's an old saying here. "A fool and his money are soon parted." If people are foolish enough to pay 2-4 times the retail price to get a PS3 now instead of waiting for the supply to catch up with demand, then why shouldn't someone sell to them. The resellers aren't taking advantage of people or exploiting them, the people know what they are doing.

And the article mentions the employment of poor Chinese-nationals and homeless people like that's something bad. What's wrong with paying poor people to do something? Oh no! We might drive away their sense of entitlement by paying them to work. The truth is there's nothing wrong with it. It's how the free market works. Paying a poor person to do something is not expoitation, it's employment.

Some would say that the problem could be fixed by pricing consoles even more prohibitively to lower demand. But why would a company want to lower demand for their product? That goes against all business sense.

As we can see the launch tells us a few things; the pricing of the PS3 did not quell demand like many thought it would, people will be people (and hence, idiots), and the free market presents many unique opportunities (for the poor: employment, for the business minded: profits).

As for me I will be in line at a Wal-Mart or other retailer on the night of November 16th. Why? Yes, I am a video game nut and I would love to have a PS3, but I am patient enough to make upwards of $1500 and then buy my PS3 later. Oh wait, I think the auctions are topping $2000 now!

On the cover are the words "The Day After Tomorrow" as well as pictures of 26 potential presidential candidates (13 Democrats & 13 Republicans). There is an article that mentions the importance of the upcoming 2008 Presidential race, duemainly to the fact that there is no Incumbent President or Vice-President seeking the position. First time for that since 1928.

It's also the first time there are potential female, african-american, or even female african-american candidates.

All I know is that its going to be a long and fun two years. A momentuous time, and a moment in history for whomever wins. I also know that now is the time to be looking at the candidates and deciding who you want to vote for in the primary elections. There's a lot to choose from so start reading up. Then get out there and campaign.

The bad news? I lost my job as a sushi chef. Apparently the GM bought half ownership in the place and his son and wife are going to work there. His son's a sushi chef and they were telling us that there would be staff reductions before the GM even did his thing, so when his son was added on as a sushi chef, well the greenest guy had to go so they could make room. That was me.

The good news? I found out I made it past the first cut for the scholarship to study photography and japanese in Japan for 3 years. This means I have to go to New Orleans in July to take tests on English, Math, and Japanese. While the Japanese test doesn't determine if you get the scholarship (only where your instruction would start) the English and Math test scores so help determine that. I know I have the English test in the bag, but I was looking at a sample of the math test...HOLY MOSES! In high school I finished all my math classes my sophomore year and never took another class, so I'm more than rusty, I'm flat out clueless. I guess I'm going to have to get my dad to show me some stuff there. I'm a good bit nervous.

Anyway, I'm excited about the scholarship, and disapointed about the job. Though I guess its nice I'll be able to go there as a customer now. And I did find another job really quick. I work at an eBay consignment shop in Ooltewah called Cyber Auctions.

That's the update folks. Later. Oh I also meant to add that I see a very distinct three-year era approaching Vol Football. Let it be known as "The Era of The Foster". You know it!

I put pop-tarts in and go away for a sec.

Comeback and there's a fire a-spwanin' in the toaster

then I was running around like an idiot looking for our little kitchen fire extinguisher while my brother using his noggin unplugs the toaster and wets a towel and wrings it out over the flames...

http://www.overheardinchattanooga.com

If you don't know WTF I'm talking about, check out http://www.overheardinnewyork.com for the original idea. Keep your ears peeled in the city!

In my attempt to take something way too seriously I offer this contribution:

It's my first, but not my last. I plan to reach out in a non-digital medium with my next attempt.

The Grimmie Greens gave a great show as usual, despite losing the PA head (good thing there was another to use). I've pretty much come to expect an awesome show out of these guys everytime I see them.

Around this time some funny stuff happened. One guy was moving his Land Rover (what kind of money does this guy have? lol) and nailed someone's car pretty well. Oops.

It took a while to get the other PA head because it was in someone's car. The owner of the car had given a ride to her friend and a near-50 year old transvestite to get some beer. Mind you she didn't want any, she was just helping out her friend. The transvestite was the purchaser since he was of age. But after they got the beer, she hit someone else's car. Her friend was drunk and took off (worried about underage consumption I guess), the transvestite got out of the car and was knocked down by some people in the other vehicle. Things cooled down quickly though when the cops showed up and here's where the driver got lucky because she didn't have her driver's license. She had left it at the house! Luckily she didn't get in trouble for that though, and they exchanged information and were back quickly. One problem, the drunk guy (who I forgot to mention was an out-of-towner) was still running around. He hitched a ride back with some strangers though.

Not soon after, back at the house the cops showed up, apparently because the neighbors had made a complaint about the noise. Fortunately they were nice about things and just asked everyone to stay inside.

There were still three bands to go and while they were playing, me and the Latin For Truth people (from Scottsboro, AL) made a trip to Taco Bell, where the bassist bought me dinner. How nice, yeah? And I drove the car of the girl who had the accident, because she didn't feel like driving after that.

What a time.

(google map to location: 304 friar rd, chattanooga, tn)