It dawned on me this morning that at that time next week, I’ll be in line for the Xbox press conference. I nearly threw up in an anxious fit.

It’s not that I’m not prepared. In many senses of the word, I am prepared. I have my schedule fully booked to the point I have no time for lunch. I have the electronics picked out (Surface, extra battery charger, smartwatch, phone, 3DS). I know which games I’m going to see. I have hopes to meet with strategy guide publishers at some point. All I need to do is pack my bag and buy snacks that I will need to survive throughout the day. I’m thinking turkey jerky, string cheese, and cookies. It’s everything a growing girl needs to survive.

I may be prepared in that sense, but I’m not prepared mentally for this onslaught E3 will surely be. E3 is great great fun, do not get me wrong. However, it’s also a great great beating. It’s work, and it’s very hard work at that. Since I am in meetings all day from doors open to doors close, it means the only times I have to write about any of my adventures will be at night. I foresee very little sleep.

As such, I have turned down most party invitations. I want to be social, but I won’t have time to be. The only ones I accepted were those that start super early, as they promise to have food. Selfish of me, I know, but if I can kill as many birds with one stone as possible, I’m there.

But what worries the most are the withdrawals from The Witcher 3 and Diablo 3. I finally broke the 3 million gold mark in D3, so that last Trophy is almost within my grasp. And I’ve missed the Witcher so much over this last week thanks to reviews and the husband leaving me alone with the kids for a solid month. Oh how he owes me. At this point, I may just start over when I return from E3 and do some serious focusing on it. Soooo that means what, more D3 for this week before the big show? Works for me! Yeah, buddy!

Wait, what was I panicking about again? I don’t remember.

So after all of that talk last week about everything I was going to take with me to MomoCon over the weekend, including changing out the PS4 for the Surface so I could review something for work, only the 3DS got any attention. And that was strictly for StreetPass purposes only. I never once played Bravely Default. I didn’t play anything else I brought for the 3DS. I didn’t turn on the Vita once. And the only time I used my Surface was to quickly write an article about Keith David letting something slip about Halo 5: Guardians. I didn’t even watch my friend play games, which is something we always do when I visit.

At the con, it was all about the StreetPass. I checked it so often for said StreetPasses, I nearly finished round two of Find Mii II (started fresh game at the con). I also only have three puzzles to complete. I should get it all done by E3, and of course, as is E3 tradition, Nintendo will add more puzzles for me to complete. And then that is what SDCC is for.

I really did mean to at least work a little, work meaning work on a review and not write a news story. However, when you’re visiting a friend you haven’t seen in a couple of years, sometimes these things just don’t happen. We stayed up way too late talking and catching up, and we went to see Avengers 2: Age of Ultron on Saturday. Yes, I have to go out of town to see a movie. Whilst on the plane, I spent every minute in the air reading the last Witcher book I have. I finished it while my plane was getting taxied after landing. What can I say? It’s a really good book series, even better than the games.

Oh and last night I didn’t play any games either because I wanted to finish volume 1 of Dragon Age: The World of Thedas. I admit completely I have a problem. But now that I’m back in the real world, it’s back to work and back to The Witcher 3!

I hope everyone in the US is having a great Memorial Day holiday! Memorial Day is the day where we remember those soldiers who fell in battle. It’s not to be confused with Veterans’ Day, which honors those who served in a war. Veterans aren’t dead. My husband is a veteran. We get a little testy when people honor him on Memorial Day because he obviously isn’t dead.

But while that may be the purpose behind the day, it’s a national holiday where most people are off work. Schools are closed, every federal building is closed, and most people plan for rather big barbecues and outdoor grilling sessions. My family traveled to our locale to help us celebrate the oldest child’s 7th birthday. We grilled lots of steak, fish, broccoli, and corn on the cob. And yes, there was cake. I’m going to have to go running for a week to wear off these calories.

Great weekend, but zero gaming was had outside of my iPad. My parents always stay in my office, so no Witcher 3. My son was very disappointed we couldn’t play Diablo 3 together. In hindsight, I could have played with my 3DS and tried to finish Bravely Default, or at least get further, but I was content zoning out on the couch with a book, playing the Mortal Kombat X Kard Game, or watching my Dad argue about politics. Plus, we might have drunk so much wine during the day, I crashed before 10 every night.

This week I plan to get into a lot of The Witcher 3. I’m going to Atlanta to attend Momocon with one of my best friends, and I’ve already decided that I’m going to pay to check a bag so I can haul my PlayStation 4 with me. Seriously, that GAEMS case is one of the best gaming investments I have ever made.

I probably should also attempt to play Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn since the Heavensward expansion releases next month and I’m supposed to review it for work. I’m really looking forward to this break in game releases this summer. I’m looking forward to it even more now that I have cut down on my Stack of Shame. Best. Decision. Ever. (Next to the GAEMS case.)