Things from the mail.

Back in 2006, I was really depressed, so I bought myself a Sega Saturn with a few games and a memory card. Back in 2007, I was really depressed again, so I bought myself an original Nintendo Entertainment System model 2.

I must be depressed right now again because recently, I bought myself a minty Super Nintendo off of eBay, along with a few games. I don't understand why I buy things while I feel depressed. I am actually performing well in college these days, unlike in the past. I also have a great man who loves me. Perhaps it is retail therapy. Therapy for what? Maybe I don't feel complete since I sold three of my game systems earlier in the summer. I think that would be weird, attaching my completeness to the things I own. I do believe people can be owned by things. Hell, there are whole television shows devoted to that idea: People Being Owned by Things.

Whatever. The SNES I won from eBay is in fantastic condition. There is no yellowing, which is usually present in older SNES systems. The controllers are used, but in good condition; the texturing around the direction keys of the controllers are a little worn, but the buttons are springy. The box is in fair condition, but all of the packaging and paperwork is intact. The cords are also fully intact, too. I won that auction at a sweet price; $58, which also included shipping. I scored pretty well.

Of course, no system is complete without any nice games to play. I bought from ebay, "Tetris Attack," which is a fantastic puzzle game, "Zelda: A Link to the Past," "Super Mario RPG," and "Super Metroid." After having played, and won, that game recently, I can say that game is a work of art. Literally. The music, the graphics, and the story of the game are more than the sum of its parts: It is simply a masterpiece of story-telling and mood.

While I was splurging on eBay, I also expanded my NES game collection. I bought "Contra" and "Super C," at the same time for the really sweet price of $65 together. Complete copies (box, instruction manual, dust sleeve, styrofoam insert) of those games go for $60 apiece. I scored pretty well on that sale, too.

While I was at it, I also bought the security bits that are required to open the game cartridges and systems. Game cartridges accumulate dirt and grime on the copper contacts over time, and I wanted a way to open the plastic cases to have unfettered access to the innards so I could clean my games. I don't have time to clean my entire cartridge collection, but I will in the near future. I'll probably clean my games over the Thanks Giving break. I already opened and cleaned a second SNES I won off of eBay. I'll probably sell that system since I never intended to win two SNES systems.

From miscellaneous

I feel content right now. I originally planned to buy a PlayStation 3 system at the end of this year, but I blew the bank on rebuilding my SNES collection. I guess I can get a PS3slim next year...which I probably will.

∅