Due to the weak economy, toy giant FAO Schwartz will be closing its store on the Magnficent Mile here in Chicago. I noticed on my way to work this morning, that they were already at 50% off on their clearance sale, so I had to go in and have a look-see.

What I saw was about 7 million stuffed animals - cute, beautiful, expensive ones, all over the floor. Some of these dolls were going for nearly $200, and now they were on the floor, going for a mere $100. But nobody I know needs another Simba or Tigger or Bert or Curious George, so I went along upstairs to the Barbie room. Bet would have probably had the big O right at the threshold of these dollies. However, they are not yet half off, they are still at 25%. I didn't realize just how crappy they are making the Barbie these days. I can't imagine anyone would want to make a collector's item out of these things.

Anyhow, so on the 3rd floor I found the electronic games. While I didn't find anything to get for either of my nephews (birthdays coming up soon), I did happen to find the one thing their Aunt Michelle needed to make her life complete. It is the EXCALIBUR LCD COMPUTER BACKGAMMON It retailed for $30, but 1/2 off it was only $15. But THEN! It was an additional 25% off of that, so I got the ONE THING I needed to make my life complete for $12.50

Backgammon is my favorite game in the whole world, which can be a real pisser, because I don't know anyone else who likes to play. Even when I teach friends how to play, I still have nobody to play this with, since my friends seem to hate the game. But with this lovely toy, I am able to play against a computer. And the computer sits there and plays as long as I want to. There's no needing to go to the bathroom, having a headache, getting bored, wanting to commit suicide for THIS backgammon partner. I just have to keep it plied with enough AAA batteries, and I can play and play and play. So far, I have one two games and the computer has won three.

The moral of the story? There is absolutely no problem that can't be solved with the use of a few batteries.

Well, I guess there is the one problem. Work. I can't play my game while I'm at work. Even though the sound can be turned off, I work in a cube jungle. Anyone can walk by my desk at any time and see what I am doing. I'll have to quit my job.