Where's Tim?

Dedicated readers have read all about my Friday Night Fun.  Click on the link in the previous sentence for the beginning of that post, or check the "Stupid Gregg Tricks" category on the left column of the website for more.

Basically, every Friday I play Mario Kart Wii online whenever everyone gets home until about 3:00 in the morning.  A couple of times, Tim (Sarah's husband), who is my main competitor, has not shown up due to "falling asleep."

This is very disappointing.  So far, we have raced online against each other 850 times. That's right, 850. Do you have a problem with that?  As of Friday, we were tied 425 to 425, according to my Wii's records.  Isn't that exciting?

Generally, whoever the first one to get on will begin texting the other person to let them know they are online, and then the person being texted can respond with when they think they will get on.

Below the Mario Kart Wii, being played online photo (taken by my wife over my shoulder), is the rather one-sided text "exchange" from Friday night.

G (Gregg): (sometime during the day on Friday) Are you up for Mario Kart tonight?

T (Tim): (around 9:00PM Friday night) I am running on empty ...long week! But I will be on later, you getting on later?

G: I went to bed at 3 last night, but I will be on at the usual time.

At this point, I am focused on getting as much done as I can before we get online, which usually starts between 10:30 or 11:00 but can be as late as after midnight.

G: (around 10:30 on Friday night) ETA ten minutes!

10 minutes pass, with no response from Tim.

G:Logging in!

Races a few races, one in particular was rather violent and rough - and also didn't turn out well for me.

G: Ouch! Ooo!

Tim still hasn't shown up or responded to my messages, and some significant time has passed.  A few of my other friends are online, though!

G: Surely you aren't missing Mario?

More races pass, Tim is still unresponsive.  He does have a new baby, so I'm guessing (hoping) that he's busy with that and will be joining in shortly.

G: Don't make me come over there!

Still no Tim.  I'm beginning to get worried.

G: (singing) Where oh where has my little Tim gone?

You know things are bad if I'm singing - or even pretending to sing on a text message.  More violent races ensue, the competition is unreal. Mario Kart is frequently...NOT relaxing.

G: Heart rate...increasing!

With all else failing, I begin to insult Tim's vehicle.

G: Your kart is rusting!

Impatience is not kicking into play.

G: Tap Tap Tap

That was supposed to be my foot tapping, btw.  Pretty realistic, wasn't it?

G: You must be present to win!

I finally give up at this point, and stops sending Tim messages.

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Now, do that whole squiggly line simulation of time passing.  Done?  Good.  The next day, I received the following message:

T: I am investing in stronger caffeinated beverage for next time.

Ahhh, the whole "fell asleep" excuse!

G: Everyone left by midnight -thirty last night. BLAH!

All my friends were LAME friday night.

T: Waving the white flag...I lost the battle once again, falling asleep just before it was time to start last night.  Very funny comments.

Yeah. Laugh it up, Tim.  Glad you enjoyed my comments.

G: Sadness permeates the core of my being.

Tim, obviously feeling great guilt and remorse, did not respond to this last message.

It serves him right!

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Editor's note: We did have kind of a make-up game the next night, but seriously, it just wasn't the same!

Comments

[Sarah]

Tim really did fall asleep early Friday. this is not just some excuse for me making him hang out with me. I was so tired myself that I actually fell asleep in my clothes on my bed with the bed still made and the light on, which I NEVER do. He usually waits for me to go to bed and then runs to play Mario Kart. Since I was already asleep it probably threw him off! I woke up at 1am when Tim brought me the crying baby to feed. He had actually gone 3 hours without eating which gave me much needed rest. I am a little concerned about the 850 races though........

[Michelle]

LOL, I hear about this from Sarah and my Brother. He wants me to join in, but I can't stay up that late anymore. Too funny!

[Tim]

How can I ever make it up to you? I am so sorry for not being there when I said I would be. Strong measures will be taken to restore my integrity in the future. Don't worry my wii and the cinnamon life cereal that I usually eat between races are also upset that they had to miss out.....I WILL be on this friday if it means setting my phone alarm or consuming large doses of caffeine.
SARAH,
Thank you for reinforcing the fact that this was no excuse but....
850 races is nothing! People in Japan say: "Finish all your races yoshi, there are kids in America who only get to play on Friday nights" except they say it in Japanese of course.