Ugh, weekends are like hot dogs. They're much better when they're longer.

We had a small dinner party with friends on Saturday, which was fun. It was another chance to show off the house and the improvements we've already made to it. I've become such an old man, though. Our house was the first to be built on our block and we were the first ones to move in so as more buildings are going up and more people move in, I find myself thinking, "ah crap, there goes the neighborhood." I can see it's only a matter of time before I start yelling at miscreants to get off my lawn. When did this happen?

The playoffs are starting to wind down, and only four teams remain. That means preparations are going to start soon for our big Super Bowl party. To quote the WWII leaflets dropped on Hiroshima, "it's gonna be huge!" Although I don't have a stake in any of the remaining teams (although the Colts are always fun to watch, and the Saints seem unstoppable) it should be loads of fun for all involved, except the midgets I'm going to hire to fight each other for my guests' amusement during timeouts. They are the noblest spirits of all.

Speaking of spirits, I obviously cannot make a post on this ancient website (hey, at least it's probably AOL friendly!) without mentioning Demon's Souls. I put another few hours into it this weekend. Although late last week I did manage to defeat the second boss as part of a three man team, I was only there helping out as a blue phantom and not the team leader, which means I did not receive credit for finishing the level. However, I later went back solo and defeated the terrifying giant spider of a second boss all by my lonesome. Holy crap though, it's a giant spider that shoots meteors at you. This means I have successfully completed the first part of the first level (remember, there are five levels and four parts to each level) and the first part of the second level, henceforth referred to as 1-1 and 2-1. I've been to the end of the second part of the first level (AKA 1-2), but that boss is a real dickhead. I have also played a bit on the second part of the second level (2-2) and the first parts of the third and fourth levels (3-1, and 4-1, I think you're picking up on it now). 3-1 is terrifying and I never want to go back and 4-1 is brutal in two words: ninja skeletons.

I have come to the realization that one of the reasons I like this game so much is because it is so rough and that it requires a serious gametime investment. In most RPG-like games, you need to level up, but you level up as you go from place to place and generally keep up with the challenges. In Demon's Souls, you need to spend extra time "grinding" and building up your soul bank to upgrade your character. I have spent more time repeating levels I've already finished then I have advancing the game, and frankly, badadadadaaaa, I'm loving it. It's the oldschool gamer in me that enjoys spending lots of time just trying to get up to snuff for the next challenge instead of lovingly being guided through the motions or placated with lifeless eye candy. I have no idea when my character will be powerful enough to tackle the next few levels, but that doesn't dissuade me. Bring on the pain!

I'll be taking a road trip this weekend while the little lady spends some time with her sister at our house working on their shared hobby in the nifty little work center I built for her in the basement. Once I get back, it's time to get ready for the football showdown that will be two weeks away when I return. However, I'm getting ahead of myself. I can worry about the Super Bowl in two weeks. Right now I should probably worry about the next few hours.