Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games (I’m not even going to say the acronym, it’s become too much of a cliche for me) are becoming more and more popular as an increase in the number of free online games gets more people hooked on them. I’ve had my share of online RPG obsessions, though I now am unable to see how anyone has time for them. But what happens when you need to go? Do you just say, I’ve got to go now, and when the impending “why?” question is asked by an unfriendly 11-year-old that doesn’t have any clue as to how a person could have a life outside of the computer (bad example - I have no life even on the computer), what do you say? Sure, you could be boring and tell the truth (”I’m sick of listening to how you did on your English test”), or come up with an original excuse.

Here are my favorite excuses for getting out of online obligations (though I admit I haven’t used any of them):

1. “Gotta go, time for supper”. This one works for anyone, since everyone has to eat (at least I think so…)

2. “Baby’s crying”. That will only work if you have a specific age your supposed to be while online (notice I don’t say you actually are that age). This won’t work so well for the 40-something male.

3. “Ooh, I’ve got a date. Better go make sure my grooves on”. I sincerely apologize for that one, you can ignore it if you like.

4. “Low battery”. Well, someone will believe it, right? You could also sign off without giving any excuse and calling it a power failure, but it’ll only work if your back on within 20 minutes or so.

5. “My cat just threw up”. A stroke of genius on my part, if I may say so. Then again, it may not work unless your pretending to a be a 24-year-old named Adriana Mitchell who has two cats and enjoys Bob Dylan music.

I will try to contain my excitement. Right now, as in this very minute, I am the closest I will likely ever be to Amanda Tapping and Michael Shanks. Because you see, there is a Stargate convention happening in Arlington right now. Oh, how much I wish I was there. Guest speakers, autographs, pointless memorabilia to waste money on - it’s a dream! Then again, I probably wouldn’t go even if I did get the chance, and Christopher Judge and Richard Dean Anderson aren’t there anyway (so really, what’s the point besides having a laugh at there being a Michael and Amanda on stage?), but it’s still really awesome to think about. Ah, to dream.

Lovely new blog I found, this time hailing from Ontario, Canada (I’m personally partial to Toronto, but I have my own reasons). Synecdoche is, well… it doesn’t fit into a specific category, but it’s all around good. Later,

#m