Hello, Gamervision. Sorry for being so....nonexistant. As what typically happens, this time of year, I have no free time on my hands. I have been working both of my jobs for a total of 14 hours a day. The little time I have had on my hands has been spent with my girlfriend (who is equally overworked), Assassin's Creed II, and Star Trek Online. Needless to say there hasn't been much time for me to write or post reviews (or much else).

I have been thinking about the summer a lot lately, and the fact that I am going to enjoy the free time on my hands. I want to do a lot of reading, among working on fixing a VW Bus and continuing my gaming (I will have quite a few games to still play). I also like new toys. I have compiled some short topics to discuss some of these various facts of my life. If possible, please give me feedback on some of them, as it will alter decisions I will make?

1: iPad vs. Kindle

As those who have been following me on Twitter already know, I have been wrestling with the idea as to whether I should get an iPad ($499) or a Kindle ($249). I originally hated the iPad, criticizing it as a giant iPhone. Upon further review of the device, I realized it can have practical application. For example, it will have word processor programs and an eReader. I was going to buy the Kindle to get some reading done over the summer. I want to carry my books around on a device as opposed to lugging around huge books. I had seen the Kindle app for the iPhone and thought, "Why don't I get a Kindle and I can use both my phone and the device for reading?" That thought was before the iPad reared its head. So now I'm left with the decision: do I spend $500 on an eReader plus web browser plus 100 other things, or do I spend $250 on an eReader and continue using my iPhone for everything else? Any thoughts on this?

2: Final Fantasy XIII vs. Pokemon

Today is the day that many people are going out to buy their pre-ordered copies of Final Fantasy XIII, if they didn't already receive them at midnight. I had made the decision to wait because I am still in the middle of Assassin's Creed II. Yes, I finally took the game out of the plastic and aside from a few cursing moments, I am absolutely LOVING this game. It feels more like Fable to me. I get money every 20 minutes, I have my choice of clothes, armor, weapons, and I actually WANT to finish the majority of the sidequests. Because I have so little time, I am not buying Final Fantasy XIII until Assassin's Creed II and (possibly) White Knight Chronicles are behind me (I say possibly because I may only give it a rent based on what I read on Sarah's review about it being dissapointing...last time I failed to take her advice I ended up with a PSP Go). The point of this rant is I realized: I have no such compunction about waiting for Pokemon. I have the game preordered, and I will be buying it on release date whether I finish my other DS games or not. Upon reflection of this, I have come to the conclusion that I'm a freaking weird individual.

3: Gaming vs. Rebuilding an Engine

Gaming has been winning this fight for the last 3 years when I bought a 1980 VW Vanagon Camper Bus. The engine needs to be rebuilt, and I have not even made the effort to learn how to do it. Instead, I have been spending my spare time with games. This has prompted my family to ignore any gaming requests I make for my birthday and Christmas. Instead I get tools and car parts and gift certificates. It's their way of saying "you need to get your butt off the couch." I decided this year that they are correct to an extent, and will have that vehicle running come hell or high water. I want that bus running...especially if it means I'll stop getting screwdrivers for Christmas.

Do you guys still want the "Crack in Time" review? It's been so long since I started it that I don't even know how to finish it.

Love the new layout for making/editing articles, by the way. Looks awesome.