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The clerk said the store wasn't really set up for a video game tournament but since there were only two of us, maybe we could just play each other in the back room. I was a little irritated at first, but then I realized all I needed to do to win this tournament was to beat Rowley. So the clerk set us up to play a death match in Twisted Wizard. I almost felt sorry for Rowley, because I'm pretty much an expert at that game. But when we started to play, I realized my thumb was so messed up I couldn't press the buttons on the controller. All I could do was run around in circles while Rowley shot me over and over.

YIPPEEE! Rowley ended up beating me 15-0. The clerk told Rowley he won the competition and had a choice: He could either fill out the paperwork to go to the national tournament, or he could get a giant box of chocolate-covered raisins. I'll bet you can guess which one Rowley picked. Sunday You know, I should have just stuck with my original

plan and stayed inside this summer, because all my trouble started the minute I stepped out of the house. I haven't seen Rowley since he stole that video game competition from me, and Dad hasn't spoken to me since I almost got him arrested. But I think things started to turn around for me and Dad today. You remember that article about how "Li' l Cutie" was being passed on from the father to his son? Well, the son's first comic came out in the paper today, and it looks like the new "Li'l Cutie" is gonna be even worse than the original.

Daddy, can you make my hiccups hic-DOWN? I showed Dad, and he agreed with me. That's when I realized things are gonna be ok between the two of us. Me and Dad might not agree on everything, but at least we agree on the important stuff. nkledc. I guess some people would say that hating a comic is a pretty flimsy foundation for a relationship, but the

truth is me and Dad hate lots of the same things. Me and Dad might not have one of those close father-son relationships, but that's fine with me. I've learned that there is such a thing as too close. SO, DID YOU HAVE A GOOD SUMMER? YEAH! I realized vacation was pretty much over when Mom finished up with her photo album today. I flipped through it, and to be honest with you, I don't think it was a very accurate record of our summer. But I guess the person who takes the pictures is the one who gets to tell the story.

"Best Summer Ever!" READING IS FUN The Reading Is Fum" gang says "no" to video games. Now Gregory can't stop reading! Gregory plays a game of hide 'm' seek with a summer pal