My computer’s in Maryland for repairs, so I’ve been bouncing back and forth between using the Wii’s web browser and my parents’ computers to get my fix for the last several days. I’m having trouble keeping up with the internet, but I guess that’s a good thing.

Bonnie and I are playing a little game of switcheroo, with me taking her place writing Playing Dirty this week, and her taking my job writing Off the Grid for the next. My column, entitled “The Queer Hero,” should appear on Joystiq sometime this Thursday. Lord knows I’ve been writing it in my head for long enough.

I just sent off my scholarship application for GDC 2007. I haven’t exactly figured out how I’m going to get there, but I know I want to be there. Very badly. The scholarship means a lot to me, which is probably why it was so hard to hit the “Submit” button. I want this scholarship. I don’t know what else to say about it.

Finally, tomorrow I leave for Israel, which is mostly scary because I don’t think I’m entirely aware of it yet. My body’s not acting like I’m leaving the country. It’s only eleven days, but I still feel like I should feel some kind of tension or anxiety. I’ll feel better when I don’t feel so good.

The trip itself is going to be incredible. I’ll write about it once I return, and once my PowerBook returns to me.

Maybe it’s because my own life doesn’t involve exciting activities like fishing, home furnishing, and paying off mortgages. Maybe it’s the silly idea that, somehow, I can make a living wage by shaking trees. Or maybe it’s the column deadline I’m up against, an upcoming trip to Israel, the failure of my computer’s hard drive, and a handful of other things that I’m distracting myself from.

Yeah, that Animal Crossing: Wild World is pretty addictive.