Besides the wheel, fire, and the internet, probably the greatest invention of all time is fast food. (Note: sarcasm is fairly hard to convey while typing without the use of “quotes” or the three dotted thingy…neither of which could convey the amount laid on by the last statement.)

I’m inclined to agree with Morgan Spurlock (of Super Size Me fame) that it is addicting. How else can you describe something that is horrible for your body but we consume in mass quantities anyway? That said I enjoy my fast food anyway.

Here are my top picks for fast food items:

1. In ‘n Out Burger
2. KFC Famous Bowl
3. McDonald’s French Fries
4. Jimmy John’s Turkey Tom Sub
5. Burger King Whopper w/Cheese
6. Wendy’s Frosty
7. Fazzoli’s Bread sticks

I’m not quite sure if something has been in the air lately or what but I’ve had a resurgence of nostalgia for the old video games that I grew up with.

It all started a couple weeks ago when I found a web site that has emulated over 250 classic Nintendo games that you can play right in your browser. Nearly all of my favorites are there – Rad Racer, Ninja Gaiden, RC Pro Am, and of course the king of all NES games (Nintendo Entertainment System) Super Mario Bros. 3. Mickie then got me a throwback Atari system for my birthday which has 15 or so classic Atari games in one console. That really took me back because the Atari was the first game system I ever owned.

I mentioned in a previous post that my family was slow to get on the technology bandwagon and video games were no exception. I think we got the Atari system after the Super NES had come out. But I wasn’t complaining it was a blast!

Mickie has an old NES at her parents house and I’m trying to lobby to get it up here. Like I need more distractions…

Today I found a list that some people had compiled of the top 100 games for the NES. If you are a Nintendo fan the descriptions on the list will bring back some great memories, frustrations, triumphs, and excitement.

Of course the number one game on the list was Super Mario Brothers 3 – quite possibly the best video game of all time. One of my friends and I would always try and rent it when I came over. (I’m not sure why he never bought it – probably would have saved his mom a lot of money…) We had to walk about 3 miles to grocery store (is dedication or insanity?) where it was available to rent. I can’t begin to explain the excitement when we would see the yellow box on the shelf or the disappointment when it wasn’t but it was a truly ‘religious’ experience.

Here is a list of my favorite games for the NES, what are yours?

• Rad Racer
• Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2 – The Arcade Game
• Ninja Gaiden (I II and III)
• Mike Tyson’s Punch Out
• Super Mario Bros. (1 ,2 and 3)

One of the jobs that has to take the most abuse is the profession of video store clerk. I’ll admit that there are idiots in just about every position that deserve their fair share of grief but other than a cop who in the workforce hears more whiny excuses?

I was in Hollywood Video the other day waiting in line on my lunch break behind some guy who had racked up 11 dollars in fines for late videos. His first excuse was that it wasn’t his account (it was). The second excuse was that he didn’t rent the videos (it doesn’t matter, if they’re checked out to your account you’re responsible). Next he demanded to see in writing where it said he was liable to pay for late fees. Are you kidding me? What planet did this guy come from???

The line at this point was growing since there was only one clerk and she was fairly preoccupied at the moment. Through the whole debacle the clerk remained composed and calm which I was very impressed with. She ended up pulling out a contract that the customer had signed and showed him where it said that they would charge late fees for returning movies late. Imagine that – being responsible for your own mistake? Say it ain’t so! Not in America!

At this point soundly defeated he decides to shift his attack to another avenue – the size of the type… All of us have been standing hear observing this for nearly 5 minutes biting our tongues and calming our own anger when he turns to the line in an effort to get some support – because its all us customers against the evil video store clerk – and warns us to watch out for this *nonsense* (like to keep the website family friendly…).

I couldn’t take it anymore. I kept my mouth shut because it wasn’t my business but as soon as he turned and addressed us I felt that it was now my business.
I calmly rolled my eyes and said “dude, just pay your fine and let us get on with life.” To say he was surprised would be an understatement. He apparently felt that making all of wait for his ridiculous antics would somehow endear himself to us…
He then mumbled something about me taking her (the video clerk) side.
To which I responded: “She doesn’t make the rules – return your movies on time and it wouldn’t be a problem.”
He then pulled a hypothetical on me and said: “But what if there is an emergency?”
I didn’t justify the comment with a response but shook my head, rolled my eyes and placed my movies on the counter. He looked through the line for some support and when he found none he pulled out his wallet paid the fine and left.

I guess I was lucky he wasn’t a psycho and I probably shouldn’t have said anything – but this just reflects a growing attitude in America. Where did we get the idea that we are entitled to everything? What has happened to personal responsibility? Next time you screw up -admit it. Don’t try and weasel your way out of it. Nobody wins.

Okay-rant over.