When I was in 6th grade I just wanted this really cool slammer to complement my pog collection. It was black metal and had a holographic skull embedded on one side. I knew if I had that slammer, I would be the talk of the playground. But it was way more expensive than the normal slammers, so I had to save my allowance for a few weeks. 

Then when I finally purchased the slammer, and lunchtime recess came, I was ready to throw down. Literally. But I soon learned that the cool slammer didn’t make me a better pog player. I lost a lot of pogs that day. Yeah, we played for keeps, and I didn’t know when to quit. 

I went home angry. I had dreamt for so long of playground fame, and going to sleep on piles of pogs won from my classmates. All it would take was that totally rad slammer. Those dreams never became reality, and for a while I had a hard time accepting that. 

Andrew, if you’re reading this, I’m sorry for getting so mad at you that day. You won those pogs fair and square.