Nintendo 3DS made me buy it
Have you been forced to do something without warning or reason? It is as if something takes over you, as if our subconscious knows something that we do not. Most of the time when this phenomenon occurs in movies, it revolves around a dramatic bomb countdown or the capture of a psychopath before he strikes again.
In reality, the vague notions that urge us to perform random and seemingly pointless tasks are much less theatrical, remarkable, or impressive. Yesterday I experienced this rare event while lounging on the couch in my SpongeBob pajamas. Did I mention that the brain is a fascinating organ that often chooses the most ridiculous moments for a surge of involuntary activity?
Anyway, I was surfing the web in my usual way, about to shut down my computer to leave the confines of my momentary laziness when an arbitrary thought charged into my head from outer space … at least that’s what I would like to believe The idea was a compulsion, an abrupt itch that forced me to visit one last site before shutting down my laptop. eBay was its name, and it resonated with me until I reluctantly hit the keyboard in the 4-letter setting.
Now I am not an online shopper. I rarely or never visit eBay, Amazon, or any internet retailer, but today it seems different to me. Right now there was nothing I wanted or was willing to buy, but there I was staring at my computer screen on a nameless mission. After a moment of inactivity I saw it, a brand new, unopened Nintendo 3DS for just … $ 199.00. This particular item had free shipping, package insurance, not to mention it was included with three sets and a case. Now keep in mind that the 3DS retails for $ 249.99 excluding tax and shipping. So this was definitely a deal.
After some complicated cases of doubt and pressure, I decided, what the heck! I probably only participated in the bidding arts once or twice in my life and in my mind the odds of winning an item that was undoubtedly being followed by tons of people were slim or nil. The deal had only 10 minutes left, so I looked at him like a hawk or Kirby staring at a piece of cake for you gamers.
At the minute mark I made my offer for a whopping $ 201.50 and a pop-up filled the “NOT REGISTERED” screen. How could I have forgotten the most integral piece of the shopping puzzle! I moved my fingers as fast as they moved and entered my login information. If it weren’t on a computer, I’m sure my lyrics would be unreadable. Thanks tech.
The screen loaded, I waited. As soon as the original page returned to my monitor, my eyes darted to the timer. 10, 9, 8, it descended almost in slow motion. I reentered the bargain price, held my breath … and won. No one was looking at this article, everyone missed this deal except me. So ladies and gentlemen, I am officially the owner of a Nintendo 3DS.
That little brain move that led me to check out a site I never go to, to buy something I had no intention of buying, happens outside of movies and media and even for people like me. My encounter with the subconscious may not be flashy, but as a gamer, I am happy that it happened that way.
The first game I plan on … I won’t buy is The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time and of course Snake Eater when it comes out.