July 5, 2001
9:19pm

I am a big movie buff. I love them all; comedies, mysteries, suspense, thrillers, you name it I watch it (except porn, of course). My video collection reflects this. Ever since my first purchase of Speed (starring Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock) I have collected everything from big budget blockbusters to small, independant films. My collection grew so much that I had to buy a three drawered cart for more storage. The bottom drawere of the cart is filled with Disney movies alone. The large and small video containers my mom gave me at the beginning of my movie obsession is completely filled with my collection of Our Gang shorts (I have everything available from the 1920s silent shorts to the feature-length 1994 remake.). I can hardly open the drawers. They are so full that I can't possibly shove one more tape in.

Yet, I have not bought any videos for two years.

"Why?" you ask. Why would an obvious film obsessed person such as myself deny herself the pleasure of buying another film? One word, my friends...

The perfect crystal clarity, the pristine surround sound, the delightful extra games and features. For two years I have harbored this desire in the deepest recesses of my materialistic heart. Every birthday, every Christmas I begged, pleaded, and bribed my mother to obtain the precious object for me. I cried for her to quench the thirst that could only be thwarted by...

She bought me a new VCR. "These are fast becoming obsolete!" I cried.

She bought me a new TV. "That is absolutely lovely. Look at that reception! But whatI'd really like, please, is a..."

And yet, this prized possesion, this captain of the home entertainment industry, constantly eluded my grasp.

That is, until one fateful day last week. Out of nowhere the pleading that had before fallen on deaf ears ws answered. My mother innocently poked her head into my room and offered to buy me a new DVD player if I gave her my new barely-used VCR.

"Deal!" I said.
"Perhaps you want to think about..."
"Take it!" I cried.
"I could wait till tomorrow if you're not..."
"It's in the basement! Go get it! No thinking, just DO!"

After all, I do have another VCR. Sure, it's older but it works just fine. I will still be able to see all my old movies (which I'll probably end up buying on DVD anyway). The only thing I have to think about is where I'm going to store my DVDs. I wait in eager anticipation for my mother to bring that marvelous machine home. While I wait I can think about the new item I'll be asking for this glorious holiday season.