The holidays are quickly approaching.  Holiday shopping is on the brain.  This year, my 5 year old daughter wants a Nintendo DS.  While I am usually quick to spoil her, a couple of red flags come up when I think about buying her a portable gaming device.

I remember getting my first video game and game system.  It was an Intellivision.  And the game was Donkey Kong.

We’ve come a long way since then, haven’t we? I also remember MY DAD playing almost, if not more, than I did! That’s part of why I hesitate to get Leah her DS for Christmas.  I LOVE VIDEO GAMES.  What are the chances that I play the thing more than SHE does?

Yeah, I know it will come in handy and keep her entertained during long car rides.  Yeah, I know there are loads of educational games available.  But I am WAY too concerned that, 1.) She’ll love the game so much that she begins to distance herself from Sandy and I, 2.) She’ll play games when she really should be playing outside, or doing her homework or practicing piano, or 3.) I’ll punish her by taking it away from her when she acts up and use it more for MYSELF!

I’m interested to know what you think.  Buy a 5 year old her first video game, or hold off?

By the way, have you seen this game for the DS?  It looks totally sweet! (Ok, I’m officially more excited about potentially getting a DS than she is…)

So, it’s the Friday before a long weekend.  If you’re at work, chances are you’re checked out.  Here’s a fun little pointless time suck courtesy of Adult Swim.  Set aside a few minutes and have fun playing “Fantasy Telemarketer.”

I stole this off of our sister station’s site.  The other day, Billy Kidd from The Bee brought in his Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots.  Needless, to say.  I absolutely crushed him.

Skip to 1:40 if you want to see REAL action!

• Opening ceremonies in Beijing.  Wow.  Just, wow.
• I ate a Garbage Plate after my show Saturday afternoon…and I wasn’t even hung over.
• We watched gymnastics…”Stick your landing!” was shouted at the TV many times.
• I played Madden ‘08 on my XBox 360.  Gotta brush up for Madden ‘09 which comes out tomorrow.  I may never leave my basement again.
• I ran 20 miles yesterday.  I hurt.
• The swimming relay last night was SICK!  I wasn’t a big Phelps fan (or Phan, if you will) but now I am totally into watching him win 8 gold medals.

Maybe you’ve heard me talk about my Blackberry on the air before. I love my phone. I have everything on it. I don’t go as far as calling it my “Crackberry” because I can unplug every night when I get home and on the weekends with no issues.

One are of concern is when I come into work everyday. I have a habit of checking my Blackberry for new e-mails as I walk down the steps from the parking garage.

My heads down, and I may walk a bit slower as to not fall down a flight of stairs. Well, today I became “that guy”. I never realized that my e-mail checking habit can potentially slow down members of our society from starting their miserable day.

I got to the bottom of the stairs today and the guy behind me rushes by me and threw an obscenity under his breath my way.

Wha, what? Really? I slowed you down to the point where you have to voice your displeasure with me under your breath? Oh, and this guy had a greezy pony tail. Like I need this? Like I need a verbal lashing from Steven Seagal over here?