Was talking to my Kate yesterday about my fruitless quest to acquire a DDR machine, which has been a longer, more annoying quest than I ever dreamt it would be. (Found one, sister caused massive family drama and made acquisition impractical. Found another, it's running...

...the wrong software, and I don't have the technical acumen to fix it myself/can't safely have techs over right now. Found a third, it's local pick-up only and IN NEW YORK. My life is a tragic poem.)

She pointed out that as arcades are currently closed due to the pandemic, one of them might be willing/able to rent me a machine until they can re-open. I am honesty considering it.

But Seanan! Why do you want a DDR machine?

I love DDR. Very much. But I need a mix with specific songs--"Cartoon Heroes," "Butterfly," "Captain Jack"--to be happy.

Why not just rig a PS4?

I've hurt myself on in-home mats before, which is why I was always an arcade girl. My foot has finally recovered enough to make DDR an option again, and I want it.

People are now trying to sell me on their favorite mat configs. Y'all. No. I want a MACHINE. I've been saving for YEARS. I have the funds squirreled away for DDR Day. I have the space. This is my stupid, irresponsible dream. I don't want diamonds or pearls. I want a DDR machine.

I do understand that a DDR machine is the nerd equivalent of buying a single-use kitchen item designed for a recipe that was popular twenty years ago, but consider: for some people that is still a favorite food, and it's my kitchen, not yours.