socrates63

#SeaUsRise One more to go! Let's do it, Robbie Ray!
While working for Amazon, I traveled to Toronto several times. The office was located in a building next to the Sky Dome (I think it's called Rogers something now). Every time I looked down on the Sky Dome from the office, my insides would just tear me up.
Both the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays entered the league in 1977, but the histories written by the two franchises could not be more different. One franchise enjoys a lauded history and the other franchise's history is characterized by futility and mediocrity. While one francise was winning not one but two World Series titles, the other franchise was celebrating the finishing of a season with .500 or better wins record for the first time and later reaching the playoffs for the first time. In the same number of years, the two teams took opposite trajectories. Each visit to the Toronto office was a stinging reminder of the futility of the team and franchise that I rooted for.
But winning this wildcard matchup will do much to heal and comfort the pain that I've carried for so long. It would be so poetic for Robbie Ray, who pitched for the Blue Jays last year and won the Cy Young, to close out this series tomorrow.

#SeaUsRise One more to go! Let's do it, Robbie Ray!
While working for Amazon, I traveled to Toronto several times. The office was located in a building next to the Sky Dome (I think it's called Rogers something now). Every time I looked down on the Sky Dome from the office, my insides would just tear me up.
Both the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays entered the league in 1977, but the histories written by the two franchises could not be more different. One franchise enjoys a lauded history and the other franchise's history is characterized by futility and mediocrity. While one francise was winning not one but two World Series titles, the other franchise was celebrating the finishing of a season with .500 or better wins record for the first time and later reaching the playoffs for the first time. In the same number of years, the two teams took opposite trajectories. Each visit to the Toronto office was a stinging reminder of the futility of the team and franchise that I rooted for.
But winning this wildcard matchup will do much to heal and comfort the pain that I've carried for so long. It would be so poetic for Robbie Ray, who pitched for the Blue Jays last year and won the Cy Young, to close out this series tomorrow.

Wheeze got some powerful new articles, reviews, cheats and more courtesy of Atari7800Forever.com!
Silverback reviews the new homebrew Wizard's Dungeon
Funkmaster V reviews KC Munchkin, Space Invaders, Rescue on Fractalus!
KC Munchkin and Space Invaders cheats
Funkmaster V runs down the Atari 50th Celebration FINAL game list
The Atari 7800 Collector's Cart List has been updated.
Thanks a ga-jillion!
www.Atari7800Forever.com

Last Saturday, I went to PAX West with my son. I wasn't planning to go this year, but when I found out that there was a panel featuring Ken and Roberta Williams, I had to go. The panel was titled Adventure Games: Heroes and Legends. The Williams were joined by Jane Jensen, Al Lowe, Ron Gilbert, and Dave Gilbert. I took this photo before the panel started. They all masked up once they started speaking. The lady on the far left is the local gamer who organized the panel.
To be honest, I've never played a King's Quest game. However, I remember seeing it on my friend's PC Jr. back in the day. I have played the first Gabriel Knight and first Leisure Suit Larry games. Besides those, I have not (yet) played any of the other games made by these legends of adventure gaming.
It was a fanboy thrill to see these folks. I got in line about 90 minutes before the panel started in order to ensure myself a good seat. It was a good thing I did that because the place was packed.
These gaming industry legends and their works are an inseparable part of my childhood, and I cherish them for that alone. I wish I could have gotten a photo with them, but oh well. This will have to do (for now).

Last Saturday, I went to PAX West with my son. I wasn't planning to go this year, but when I found out that there was a panel featuring Ken and Roberta Williams, I had to go. The panel was titled Adventure Games: Heroes and Legends. The Williams were joined by Jane Jensen, Al Lowe, Ron Gilbert, and Dave Gilbert. I took this photo before the panel started. They all masked up once they started speaking. The lady on the far left is the local gamer who organized the panel.
To be honest, I've never played a King's Quest game. However, I remember seeing it on my friend's PC Jr. back in the day. I have played the first Gabriel Knight and first Leisure Suit Larry games. Besides those, I have not (yet) played any of the other games made by these legends of adventure gaming.
It was a fanboy thrill to see these folks. I got in line about 90 minutes before the panel started in order to ensure myself a good seat. It was a good thing I did that because the place was packed.
These gaming industry legends and their works are an inseparable part of my childhood, and I cherish them for that alone. I wish I could have gotten a photo with them, but oh well. This will have to do (for now).

Lots of things happening at Atari 7800 Forever with the help of Silverback, Nikon, Crossbow, and that sexy bastard Dan Boris.
 
***Deciphering the Atari 50th Anniversary Collection Game List
***Ranking The Upcoming PRGE 9 Games from My Least Anticipated to Most. 
***What Makes a "Super Game" Super?
***Silverback reviews Meltdown
***Silverback reviews Sentinel

Ch-ch-ch-check it out.
www.atari7800forever.com

I just had a very fun interaction and a brief travel down Memory Lane 🙂
Back in the 80s, I was friends with a guy name George. He had an older brother and two younger sisters. It turned out that the older of the two sisters lives in my neighborhood and ours kids attended the same school and our kids have become very close lately. She and her son just walked to my house to give me a box of pears as a thank you for taking her son (and my son) to the airport this Sunday for their high school graduation trip to California.
We had a short chat on the porch, and she randomly mentions this small black box with a TV screen and that I had lent it to her brother back in the 80s (I don't recall lending it to him), and she and her sister played the heck out of it. I knew immediately what she was talking about and brought out my Vectrex. Her eyes beamed. I had never known that she was into playing games. She was very shy and I had never heard her say anything when we were kids. She said she never forgot it, and it was a very positive part of her childhood. Her family did not have computers nor video games. I told her that I'd lend it to her again, so she can relive those days.
So random and unexpected but so cool! And it was our kids who brought us together for this chat.

I just had a very fun interaction and a brief travel down Memory Lane 🙂
Back in the 80s, I was friends with a guy name George. He had an older brother and two younger sisters. It turned out that the older of the two sisters lives in my neighborhood and ours kids attended the same school and our kids have become very close lately. She and her son just walked to my house to give me a box of pears as a thank you for taking her son (and my son) to the airport this Sunday for their high school graduation trip to California.
We had a short chat on the porch, and she randomly mentions this small black box with a TV screen and that I had lent it to her brother back in the 80s (I don't recall lending it to him), and she and her sister played the heck out of it. I knew immediately what she was talking about and brought out my Vectrex. Her eyes beamed. I had never known that she was into playing games. She was very shy and I had never heard her say anything when we were kids. She said she never forgot it, and it was a very positive part of her childhood. Her family did not have computers nor video games. I told her that I'd lend it to her again, so she can relive those days.
So random and unexpected but so cool! And it was our kids who brought us together for this chat.

It finally feels like summer in Seattle -- sunny and mid 70s yesterday and 80 today. What better way to kick off summer the American 🇺🇸 way than firing up the grill? I hosted a burger party for about a doze teens and their leaders from my church on Friday. It's always fun to see young people have a good time, but it can tire you out 🙂
A funny side note, my grilling set off the smoke alarm in the house behind us 😂 They had the door to their backyard open, and closed it once they figured out what was going on. Houses are built so close to one another.

It finally feels like summer in Seattle -- sunny and mid 70s yesterday and 80 today. What better way to kick off summer the American 🇺🇸 way than firing up the grill? I hosted a burger party for about a doze teens and their leaders from my church on Friday. It's always fun to see young people have a good time, but it can tire you out 🙂
A funny side note, my grilling set off the smoke alarm in the house behind us 😂 They had the door to their backyard open, and closed it once they figured out what was going on. Houses are built so close to one another.

Beware, the Nine are still afoot! They upgraded their noisy black steeds to silent red ones. Stay off the road Frodo Baggins!

As I've gotten older, parts of my life from those younger years have become more meaningful to me. That's been a big factor in me reconnecting with Atari computers and consoles during the past several years.
That's also been true of high school after I attended my 30th high school reunion (the first that I attended) four years ago. Since then, I've stayed in touch on Facebook with a few folks, including one of the organizers of the reunion who I helped yesterday. I don't even recall ever saying "hi" to her during high school as we weren't in the same classes nor the same crowd, but now with shared memories, we could strike up a friendship.
She was moving yesterday and reached out for help. I had also helped with moving some of her stuff to a storage unit a couple of weeks ago. Yesterday was the big move to her new apartment. With son number 2 out of commission with a sprained ankle, I got mentally ready to contribute more with these old muscles 😂. She definitely needed the help. Even with me and my eldest, it took us 6 hours.
The best part was meeting her kids. Despite them growing up under difficult circumstances, they turned out to be beautiful human beings. I told them that I'd invite them to the Korean BBQ party that I had already invited their mom to.

Hello, world! It's been a while -- too long, actually. It's been a busy and crazy spring. Hopefully I can chill during the summer. That I/O pizza party thang should help 🙂 

As for the busy and craziness, at work, I manage the digital management rollout on Pluto TV. It's a huge project that involves pretty much every team -- lots of fires, drama 😂. It should wind down a lot by end of July.
On the personal front, my father passed away on Apr 1. This is the first time that I shared this online. He was diagnosed in late 2020 with interstitial lung disease which we knew was terminal. He seemed to be doing ok, and we thought that he'd be with us for a few more years. But his time came, and he went quickly and peacefully, and for that, I am thankful.
Given all these things and my increased involvement with my church, my online presence and gaming time have suffered. But I am going to make a concerted effort to hang out here again to chill. The I/O has always been good to me, and it's a great tight community.
Game on! 🕹️🤘

Hello, world! It's been a while -- too long, actually. It's been a busy and crazy spring. Hopefully I can chill during the summer. That I/O pizza party thang should help 🙂 

As for the busy and craziness, at work, I manage the digital management rollout on Pluto TV. It's a huge project that involves pretty much every team -- lots of fires, drama 😂. It should wind down a lot by end of July.
On the personal front, my father passed away on Apr 1. This is the first time that I shared this online. He was diagnosed in late 2020 with interstitial lung disease which we knew was terminal. He seemed to be doing ok, and we thought that he'd be with us for a few more years. But his time came, and he went quickly and peacefully, and for that, I am thankful.
Given all these things and my increased involvement with my church, my online presence and gaming time have suffered. But I am going to make a concerted effort to hang out here again to chill. The I/O has always been good to me, and it's a great tight community.
Game on! 🕹️🤘

Hello, world! It's been a while -- too long, actually. It's been a busy and crazy spring. Hopefully I can chill during the summer. That I/O pizza party thang should help 🙂 

As for the busy and craziness, at work, I manage the digital management rollout on Pluto TV. It's a huge project that involves pretty much every team -- lots of fires, drama 😂. It should wind down a lot by end of July.
On the personal front, my father passed away on Apr 1. This is the first time that I shared this online. He was diagnosed in late 2020 with interstitial lung disease which we knew was terminal. He seemed to be doing ok, and we thought that he'd be with us for a few more years. But his time came, and he went quickly and peacefully, and for that, I am thankful.
Given all these things and my increased involvement with my church, my online presence and gaming time have suffered. But I am going to make a concerted effort to hang out here again to chill. The I/O has always been good to me, and it's a great tight community.
Game on! 🕹️🤘

Hello, world! It's been a while -- too long, actually. It's been a busy and crazy spring. Hopefully I can chill during the summer. That I/O pizza party thang should help 🙂 

As for the busy and craziness, at work, I manage the digital management rollout on Pluto TV. It's a huge project that involves pretty much every team -- lots of fires, drama 😂. It should wind down a lot by end of July.
On the personal front, my father passed away on Apr 1. This is the first time that I shared this online. He was diagnosed in late 2020 with interstitial lung disease which we knew was terminal. He seemed to be doing ok, and we thought that he'd be with us for a few more years. But his time came, and he went quickly and peacefully, and for that, I am thankful.
Given all these things and my increased involvement with my church, my online presence and gaming time have suffered. But I am going to make a concerted effort to hang out here again to chill. The I/O has always been good to me, and it's a great tight community.
Game on! 🕹️🤘

🍕 PIZZA PARTY SUMMER BEGINS NOW! 
 

Merry Christmas, all!
I'm kinda ending 2021 the same way I started it -- covid infection. Back in January, my entire family got it, and this was before vaccination. This time, my second son got it again (test confirmed two days ago). The rest of us will get tested next week. I had a mild sore throat and headache yesterday and felt like I was coming down with a cold but it was gone when I woke up today.
First half of 2021 was a very challenging time and gave me a different perspective on life, family, and friends. Looking forward to 2022 and making memories with all of you in the I/O.

Merry Christmas, all!
I'm kinda ending 2021 the same way I started it -- covid infection. Back in January, my entire family got it, and this was before vaccination. This time, my second son got it again (test confirmed two days ago). The rest of us will get tested next week. I had a mild sore throat and headache yesterday and felt like I was coming down with a cold but it was gone when I woke up today.
First half of 2021 was a very challenging time and gave me a different perspective on life, family, and friends. Looking forward to 2022 and making memories with all of you in the I/O.

Merry Christmas, all!
I'm kinda ending 2021 the same way I started it -- covid infection. Back in January, my entire family got it, and this was before vaccination. This time, my second son got it again (test confirmed two days ago). The rest of us will get tested next week. I had a mild sore throat and headache yesterday and felt like I was coming down with a cold but it was gone when I woke up today.
First half of 2021 was a very challenging time and gave me a different perspective on life, family, and friends. Looking forward to 2022 and making memories with all of you in the I/O.

Merry Christmas, all!
I'm kinda ending 2021 the same way I started it -- covid infection. Back in January, my entire family got it, and this was before vaccination. This time, my second son got it again (test confirmed two days ago). The rest of us will get tested next week. I had a mild sore throat and headache yesterday and felt like I was coming down with a cold but it was gone when I woke up today.
First half of 2021 was a very challenging time and gave me a different perspective on life, family, and friends. Looking forward to 2022 and making memories with all of you in the I/O.

I gotta tell you, I'm quite proud of these Christmas cards I made for my nieces. 
 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of the great members and mods at atari.io!
I hope that you all have a safe and happy holiday filled with light, love and laughter... oh, and some Atari games!
 

Merry Christmas, everyone. 

Here is my retro-gaming loot for this year.  Good stuff! 
 

MERRY CHRISTMAS - Sure I have posted before but it just came up in Facebook memories even though it's obviously much older 😆so seemed fitting to share again today since it is one of the few good childhood memories, believe me I was VERY happy just getting these at the time - That year when I got Coleco Galaxian and Pac Man mini arcades. 😆😎🕹️Also this image is so of it's time with the huge cabinet TV all the brown and gaudy decorations. Still fond memories for me though. 

I've been pretty quiet or only active in short sporadic bursts. Just wanted everyone to know that I'm still around. I've just been busy with work, family, and going to the gym regularly (lost a few pounds and some gained muscle). I haven't had the time nor energy to play video games for the past couple of months, but the mind is willing!
It's cool to see all the forum updates that Justin has been doing lately 👏 👍
 

I've been pretty quiet or only active in short sporadic bursts. Just wanted everyone to know that I'm still around. I've just been busy with work, family, and going to the gym regularly (lost a few pounds and some gained muscle). I haven't had the time nor energy to play video games for the past couple of months, but the mind is willing!
It's cool to see all the forum updates that Justin has been doing lately 👏 👍
 

I've been pretty quiet or only active in short sporadic bursts. Just wanted everyone to know that I'm still around. I've just been busy with work, family, and going to the gym regularly (lost a few pounds and some gained muscle). I haven't had the time nor energy to play video games for the past couple of months, but the mind is willing!
It's cool to see all the forum updates that Justin has been doing lately 👏 👍