Wee!

The Iwanski house is all abuzz. The cats are walking around trying to avoid getting stepped on, Iwanski is bemoaning his suddenly lighter wallet, and Miss Healthypants is nursing an extremely sore right arm. What calamity has befallen this house?

I’ll tell you what. The Wii, that’s what! Yes, the Iwanskis have purchased a Wii. And it was no easy feat; the Wii is pretty scarce around these parts. Believe me, we tried. (I have been wanting this thing for a while.) Best Buy was sold out, and so were Target and Sears…but by pure luck, we found one yesterday at FYE Music Store. It was almost an afterthought to stop at FYE yesterday, and I was almost apologetic when I asked the salesman if they had one. It went something like this:

Miss Healthypants: Hi, I’m so sorry to bother you with this--and I know this is a huge waste of your time, so more sorry I could not be—but do you happen to have a Wii in stock?

Salesguy: Hmm…I think we might. Let me check.

Miss Healthypants: (Gasping for air.)

Salesguy: Yes, we do. We’ll bring it out front for you.

Miss Healthypants: (Still gasping for air) Re-really? Right here? You have a Wii right here in the store? (Throws herself on the floor, grabbing the salesman’s leg.) Thank you! Thank you! Oh, thank you! How can I ever repay you?

So we took the Wii home, and last night I played virtual-reality tennis for about an hour—and then Iwanski joined me for doubles tennis, for another hour. (Thus, my sore right arm.) I loved it! And let me tell you, it is very easy to fool yourself into thinking you’re actually playing the game. Iwanski had to continuously remind me to back up, so as not to destroy the tv as I swung for the ball. And the poor cats! After a couple of incidents of tails getting stepped-on, they stayed as far away from the tv as possible. I don’t think they like the Wii very much.

So now my next conquest is the hunt for the Wii Fit. Have you heard of this thing? It’s basically an exercise game with a virtual-reality trainer who coaches you, motivates you, and even chastises you. I need that!—particularly the chastisement.

I will do anything to avoid disapproval, even if it’s from a virtual person.