I woke up today thinking it was going to be a good day. I'd get the majority of my final work finished for my classes this semester, then go get my PlayStation 3 from Best Buy. I sat in front of my laptop for 2-3 hours putting the finishing touches on a poster project (a spiffy poster project, might I add ) before heading off to school to print it out (fancy printer), then to pick up my paycheck, put it in the bank and go make my big purchase.

I might have guessed, as it began to rain as I was leaving school, that this day was not going to go as planned. I got in my car and headed out to deposit my check. The further I drove, the harder it rained. By the time I got there, it was practically a monsoon. I ran from my car into the building and went to make the deposit.

The teller completed the transaction, but as I went to leave, I noticed that the available balance in my account was a couple hundred dollars short. I went back to the teller, who informed me that the money would not clear until the next morning.

No problem. I returned to my car and drove around the building to the ATM. After transfering the necessary funds from savings to checking, I had balance inquiries printed from both accounts to ensure that all was kosher. With everything in order, I started up the road to Best Buy.

Here's where things got interesting.

Running in through the rain, I approached a sales associate about purchasing a PlayStation 3. She led me over to the display where one was left on the shelf. She picked it up and explained to me that it was the 40 GB model... and I froze.

I was looking to buy the 80 GB model.

As she explained to me how Sony had discontinued production of the 80 GB model, a small panic was planted within me. I thaked the associate and left the store.

I drove over to the Target across the street, ran in (still raining) and went to Electronics. Same story. The guy said the last place he had seen it was at Game City 360—across the river at Newport on the Levee. Unfortunately, he added, it was about two months ago.

I drove over to Circuit City, located in the same parking lot as Target. Same thing—40 GB, but no 80 GB.

My mother called, and asked where I was. She knew I intended on buying this today and I told her that places were out and I was shopping around. She asked that I not drive all over the place looking for it.

I phoned another Game City 360—no idea where it was, I was fishing by now. Nothing. Called a Best Buy north of Cincinnati, the employees of which have apparently evolved beyond answering phones.

I arrived at the Game City 360 at The Levee. Here's how that converstation went:

"You guys don't have any 80-gig PS3's, do you?"
"No... but they are going to be bundling it with Metal Gear Solid 4 in June."
"But that's in June."
"Yeah, man..."
"I bought GTA IV two days ago..."
"Oh. Um... shit."

Mom called again. Told her I was still driving around. She suggested I come home and just start calling places.

I called everywhere. Other Best Buys (still no answer from the one before), Circuit Cities, Kmarts, Wal-Marts, MicroCenters, Meijers. Nothing.

I refused—I repeat, REFUSED—to buy ANYTHING like this over eBay. There are too many people on there willing to sell their mother for dollar, who spike their selling price for their own advantage. I ended up buying a reconditioned 80 GB PlayStation 3 from a place called Blue Bay Electronics, apparently located in Tennessee. The shipment is a rush delivery, it is insured, and I will buy an extra 3-year warrantee (100% parts and labor).

But the fact remains: I do not have a PlayStation 3 today.

Sony, why you gotta bust balls?