A Lifetime of Defeat Turning to Victory.

There has been one grand feat in life that has challenged me since I was a wee child. And I mean young. I believe the quest was begun when I was about 5 years old and has stolen sleep from me all the years to adulthood. I remember it like it was yesterday. Sitting all day staring at the T.V. in my Grandma's game room. The entire family visit I wouldn't hardly talk to anyone except the old Nintendo system she had. I was playing non other than the Legend Of Zelda, the most revolutionary video game in my life. I played this game from when I arrived at Grandma's until I left. Slowly but surely collecting the pieces of triforce as I scoured the lands of Hyrule developing my skills and collecting the magical items along the way. I died a little each time my parent said "Danny go to the bathroom we are about to leave." The reply as always was "I don't have to." "Well try anyway because we don't want to stop 10 minutes after we leave!" Oh the age old pre-departure discussion.

On my away time I daydreamed incessantly staring out the bus window anticipating the next video adventure. Nate would try and talk to me, but I would blow him off only to relive the adventures past. Around the age of 12 I was returning to Grandma's to continue my crusade against the evil forces of Ganon only to have the highest level of disappointment possible. My file was deleted! AAAAHHHH! I was on the second quest dungeon #4 GAAA! Who would do such a thing? Uncle Mark! He was the only one who played the game other than me. I felt foul play was afoot. He was obviously trying to protect his own glory of being the only other person I knew (which had to be like 50 people) to have ever beaten the game. I did a little investigating into the travesty, but ended up with far less evidence to indict him for family sanctioned punishment. The only thing I could do was start over. Before I knew it the system was gone and replaced with the dreaded N64. NOOOO I'll never finish the game.

Well a few years ago Nintendo remade the game for the GameBoy and I played it, but my interest faded before completion since I had other things to do... like college. But recently, as in yesterday, I had some time to burn before Caitlin and I went to the Hood River Hops Fest and I saw my GameBoy and said "Why not?" Instantly, flashbacks to the challenges of a young determined Danny Dunn dedicating his life to saving the citizens of Hyrule from the Prince of Darkness himself Ganon. Oh Ganon my old foe you will go down in a great ball of Fire, and what is this? Quest 2 dungeon #4 the old ending point of a destroyed dream. The Fire has been rekindled GAME ON!

Next thing I knew we were in Hood River. An hour and a half drive had gone by and I hadn't even beaten dungeon #4! I didn't remember how difficult the game is. I apologized to Caitlin for not talking to her the entire drive. She replied with "Eh, it wasn't bad, I really enjoyed listening to the radio." Good to know my company is missed. The hops fest went quickly enough and we were back in the car. "Don't worry Caitlin all I have to do is beat this dungeon and I'll stop." As we pulled into our parking spot. VICTORY! (Double Fist Pump) #4 is done, and in record time 3 hours. Since then dungeon 5 has crumbled under my mighty sword, which means only 4 more to go. Thankfully I'm unemployed or else I don't know if I could possibly spare the time for work. Updates later as progress resumes.

Well anyway the HopsFest wasn't just a blur. We did have a good time and drink a mighty bitter and hoppy beers. I'm going to take note that I do not, I repeat do not enjoy bitter beers. Blech. But we found a few gems within the ocean of IPAs. The most exciting part was when we were eating lunch Caitlin used my leatherman to slice our brick of cheddar cheese we brought. Unbeknownst to me she did not close the blade and stuck it back in the lunch box. I decided some trail mix looked good, but the blade was lying behind the tinfoil ball of orange peals completely hidden from my perspective. I realized it only when SLICE goes the end of my finger. "CAITLIN why would you do that?!" As the tears of fear, pain, and betrayal slid down my face. All she could do was dribble out a poor excuse like "Oh, I figured you would see it." Yeah nice little miss hazard. I know my finger will eventually heal and I will have full function again someday, we can only pray for the feeling to return and the nightmares to fade.

Sorry there isn't too much action, unless if you count the virtual destruction of evil demon minions as action,BOO YEAH, life is getting cold, wet and slow. Until next time readers. Maybe by then I will finally be able to go on the big kid ramps at the skate park and I can tell you about all my new booboos from trying to roll on a skateboard. I'll never do anything crazy cool so be happy when that kickflip does happen. Cheers!