Still zonked in New Hampshire
Yesterday, I played video games for 12 hours straight and then hung out late with a bunch of gamers and WATCHED a video of the great Billy Mitchell playing Donkey Kong. I love this. It kills me that I can't stay for the entire four-day event. I haven't read the box scores for three days. I'm so far removed from the baseball world. It's wonderful.
I have to wake up in five and a half hours, and I'll be playing games for 13 hours today, as the arcade will be open until 11pm instead of 10.
So...
My Fenway story will have to wait.
Forget about writing about it.
I'm too tired to think about it.
The video game update is that I set the record on Super Breakout with a score of 1,599. (Yes, it's a very low-scoring game.) Two hours later, some kid put up a 1,618, so my goal for today is to reclaim the title. I also scored 1.549 million on Arkanoid which is far from my personal best but still nearly 100,000 points more than anyone else has ever scored since the game came out in 1986. There are a couple of film crews here (one of which is led by an ex-NFL player named Ed Cunningham) getting footage for documentaries. One of them wants me to talk baseball and perform my glove trick for the camera.
Anyway, it's 4:10am. I need to get to sleep.
You've collected more baseballs than anyone in Christendom, and also scored higher on Arkanoid than a.i.C.? Man, you are one great, obsessvive dude. I predict your passion will reward you in many, many ways.
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That should be enough for you to pass the Manheimer Exam, I should think.
Congrats... Zackariah.
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think you'll ever beat your old score? will you ever retire?
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Thanks, boodleheimer. You are too kind.
Yes, elias, the Manheimer Exam...I've been so busy lately that I need an extension.
Hello, tkafalas. What a nice surprise to see you on here. It figures that an entry about Arkanoid inspired your first comment. Theoretically, there's no ceiling on the number of points that could be scored; realistically, I can't take my high score much higher, but yes, someday I predict it will happen. I hope I never retire from what I love...which reminds me, yet again, that you and I need to go to Barcade. Maybe in a couple weekends? I don't know my work schedule yet, but as soon as I do, let's figure out a plan.
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Zack,
I just talked to your Dad last night (6-11-05) and he told me about you. He and my sister and I went to Bradford High in 1941-42. We both lived on School St. I graduated with your Aunt Alyce. I can't tell you how excited I was to make contact with him after 62 years. And now that I've seen your website I'm equally excited about your vocation/avocation. We are a baseball family and have rooted for, first the Anaheim Angels for years (We lived in Orange County.) and the Arizona Diamondbacks now that we live in Arizona. Our two sons and our daughter are all avid baseball fans, too and now all of our grandchildren are avid fans. Our two grandsons, Matt and Andrew, are damned good baseball players, even if I do say myself.
I can't wait to tell them about you. Your story would make a great movie! Lot's of luck. If you could, let me know how I can keep in touch with your Dad on the net. We were so excited last night that we forgot to exchange email addresses. Incidentally, when I was about eight years old (1930 or 1931) I saw Babe Ruth knock a homer out of Tiger Stadium into downtown Detroit. I have never forgotten that memorable day.
Harry Fockler
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Well, hello there. Good to hear from you by way of my dad. When I catch up with old friends after just a few years, it feels strange. I can't imagine what it's like to reconnect with someone after six decades! And Babe Ruth? My god. Add that to the list of things I can't imagine. I wish I came from a baseball family. All my parents talk about is literature and classical music and health food. Anyway, I'll send you a private e-mail with Stooie's address...no reason to share it with the entire ball-collecting world.
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