One Small Step for Man...

Well, amidst the paper work, fan dusting, carpet cleaning, the entire Lord of the Rings series this week I have been reinspired to an old favorite of mine.

I think we can all remember the first time we saw Windows 95. The fresh computer came out of the box, the trackball on wheels called a mouse was clicking for the first time, and we were met with that Logo we would all love and hate for the rest of our lives (see Above). And as all of us do we turned right to the free games that came with the computer.

1.Mine Sweeper- We had been there and done that with the exciting graphics of Win 3.1

2.Free Cell- with a million different senarios who would ever tire of that game. Well I always made it to number 15 and grow weary. But still a good game.

3.Solitaire- The name alone signifies the dynamic qualities of the game but we all play it and we all love it.

4.Hearts- Enter the name of three friends or enemies to play against you. But always remember that eventually without human contact you will continue to try to "shoot to the moon" just to see if you can trick the impervious logic of the computer (which you can and you will).

But all of this is just a preamble to the real topic at hand today. I have three words for you: Space Cadet 3D Pinball. The happy man in the space ship greets you with a wave. You smile and think the computer loves you. The sound effects of the machine warming up fill you with joy and a sence of great adventure. You locate the letter 'Z' key as the left paddle and the '? or /' key as your right paddle. You press spacebar and the ball jumps into action. As the ball plummels toward the right paddle you get anxious and press the '>' key and send the machine into TILT and lose your first ball. It was a successful trial run that nobody could take away from you.

At this point, if you are anything like me, you hit the "F2" key and hope your family wasn't watching (you have a reputation to keep up). After hours and hours of play you eventually realize that there is a bit of a step by step action to the game involving the launch ramp, various mission and that strange circle of lights in the middle of table. Then finally after a couple more hours of play you realize you are wasting your life playing pinball on your computer and go do your homework or take a walk. But you always return to your 48th love: Space Cadet Pinball.

Its a good game, lots of fun and everyone has it so I suggest a challenge to all of us. Lets post our high scores and compare them. My highest right now is 6,372,000. But I'm shooting for the moon. Secondly what level can you get to in the game. I've only ever advanced to the second level of yellow dots in the middle.Remember honesty is a pretty good policy ( some say 'the best') Anyways get out there and become master Pinballers.

So become intense players, don't work, don't eat and don't sleep... Like this guy:

(Although I'm confident this guy works and eats)

Patmane Le Pate