Random Notes

The gamers screaming at Sony over the design of the PSP Go make a few valid points. Yes, it's more expensive than the original models when it should be cheaper without the UMD drive. Yes, it locks you into the more expensive retail prices on the PSN store when you could buy used UMDs for half the price. You are indeed boned if you want to sell off your games after you've beaten them. The screen is smaller.

Still, their apoplexy is undermined by reality: Sony isn't putting a gun to their heads and forcing them to sell their UMDs and "upgrade" to a PSP Go. If they don't want one, they don't have to buy one.

I got mine Sunday morning. Since I couldn't be home for Christmas, Mom decided to wait until I could come home before we opened gifts and ate the enormous dinner. The kids had opened their stuff at April's on Christmas morning; between the two houses, they made out like bandits.

First impression of the PSP Go? Holy God, that sucker is tiny! I've seen plenty of video showing it in action, but that didn't prepare me for actually holding it in my hand. It feels incredibly light after hauling around my PSP-1000 behemoth for years.

I loaded it with games and videos and spent the day having little nerdgasms all over the house. I carried it everywhere. Mom asked me several times if I was happy with it and I had to reassure her I was thrilled. "Trust me," I said, "the odds of my leaving the apartment without it in my pocket are somewhere between slim and none."

I also received a set of towels, a new bedspread, some badly-needed pens, and a stocking with plenty of gum and goodies. Uncle Tom rode up to give me a big tin of popcorn; the cheese compartment was empty before the day was out.

April received something she'd been wanting awhile: a GPS system. Her only complaint was the voice sounded a bit snooty. The company sells other voices, and she was seriously tempted to download David Hasselhoff. I think that's awesome, especially if his directions are slurred and it sounds like he's eating a cheeseburger.