(Silly Post) Dear Maxxies' Xbox 360,

I know you've wondered what is going on and I owe you an explanation.

I know we were pretty hot and heavy from the moment I first laid my hot hands on you. But these days, I'm distant and yes at moments I have avoided you. You've tried to entice me more than once when I've inadvertently brushed up against you or your controller. You flash your playful green ring at me and try to persuade me to play, but I know I've turned you down every time. Lately when I finally do get some time that could be optimal for us to play together, I don't take advantage of it. In those moments, I just want to take a steamy bubble bath, drink something fruity, then continue to study and at some point get some rest. These are good things in and of themselves, but I know I am neglecting you/our fun and it's frustrating. I never intended to treat you this way. You need to know, there's not a day that I'm in class or in some work meeting trying to keep up with some boring presentation where I don't think of you and the places we go, all the fun we have...oh yes 360, I miss you. Every day.

I wanted you to be my rock through this semester, so when I felt stir crazy and ready to scream over two-tailed chi squares and correlations, or the philosophical ramifications and definitions of "living a good life", or the rhetorical value and components of 60's protest music, or the ways that organizations display systematic soldiering with employees..... when all that stuff started to become too much, I thought I could turn to you for solace. We'd play together. You'd make me laugh and encourage me to be social with the headset or inspire me in one of those lightning-moment thoughts of inspiration which can drive me to post and share it with my fellow 2O2P game obsessed friends. I thought at this point we'd would have share endless nights and days of fun...at least until I lost my stamina or you began to freeze up. It was the plan.

But I haven't touched you in days and my thoughts have been scholastic of late. If you feel unwanted I understand it, but it isn't true. When I tell you, "it's me, not you," it isn't a kiss off - it is really me. I have less than two weeks to finals, all kinds of craziness with the changes at work, plus some dearly loved and well meaning family and friends that don't understand I do need my weekends and evenings to actually study, not "study." I've been taking whatever time is left over for myself, alone. 360, we are just having bad timing right now.

Tonight I'm making the serious need to laugh and relax a few minutes a priority. We are going to hang out for at least a couple hours and do something fun. In the days ahead I can't commit to an immediate change, in fact I'm probably going to be even more sporadic than I usually am until the end of this month. After Finals are over and I have written my last 8000 word essay, read my last philosophy book and completed my last test, things will change. I have new short term goals to pursue which concern a summer course, increased work hours, a great deal of pleasurable writing and socializing, affordable travel to fun places and MUCH more play time with friends, with you.

You've continued to wait for me, I only ask you wait a little longer. I'll make it worth both of our whiles.

Your devoted friend,

Maxxie

Would it be bad form to give this same explanation to my Nintendo DS?

:P