Mad Cal Madden Day is about to begin. I'm well rested and I have enough food and drink to last me the next 24 hours. Why? Because I don't have work and I'm crazy. And I like to push myself to new levels. I've played up to 8 hours of video games straight, but have never had the chance to try for a full 24.

I have decided to play at the All-Pro level because I'm still learning all the controls of the new version. I will start a franchise using the hometown 49ers. The only roster changes will be to trade for Bubba Franks and Az Hakim. Az Hakim is the second best video game receiver ever, only behind the ridiculous Randy Moss. Hakim may have lost a step since his Madden 2002 glory days, but still remains a threat to score every time he touches the ball.

Live updates will be posted throughout the day.


2:25 am
Despite Hakim's 2 TD's in 2 games, my inability to kick field goals has given me an 0-2 record heading into week 3. Hakim is also wearing number 80 for the 49ers because Raushawn Woods was given number 81. No love for Jerry Rice.


5:00 am
I suck. Special teams and fumbles are killing me. Add in the fact that Mike Rumph can't play defense and my team is on a bad losing streak.

I am also currently watching the US men's basketball team play against Spain live from Athens. Tim Duncan is in early foul trouble. Stephon Marbury actually made a shot.

7:45 am
Midseason Report for the 49ers: not good
Tim Rattay does not appear to be the answer at quarterback. O-line is pretty lousy too. Win-loss record stands at 2-6. My record for the pre-game coin toss is also 2-6.

Maybe my luck will change since there is now light outside. Watching women's handball on MSNBC. Marbury actually made a lot of shots.

11:35 am
Dang, that was a long halftime. I dozed off and wasted about 40 minutes of Madden Day. At least it was halftime and I didn't wake up to find out I was facing 1st and 75 from the multiple delay of game penalties. Ken Dorsey has taken over the starting QB spot. Draft Kevan Barlow for your fantasy teams.

12:55 pm
Approaching the 13 hour mark, and the season is officially lost. 2-9. I lost 3 games on last second field goals. One from about 35, one from 48 in the rain, and one in OT after a contraversial fumble call. I could very easily have been 5-6. The field goal should be eliminated from football. The goal posts should only be used by rowdy fans to celebrate victories.

2:52 pm
I don't know how Jack Bauer does it. I'm only watching tv and playing video games, and I am tired of it with over 9 hours to go. Injuries are starting to pile up. I have a cold sore on my lip and a bruised left middle finger. My right thumb is getting the early symptoms of Street-Fighter-2-thumbitis.

I thought about going outside for some air, but I opened the door and the sun hurt my eyes. I might just stay inside until it gets dark.

4:48 pm
Mad Cal Madden Day has met a tragic end. I had rallied my team to a 5-10 record and was playing the New England Patriots in the regular season finale. Then without warning, the Playstation froze up. Just when my team was starting to click and build some momentum for next season, the computer had to keep a brother down. My jersey would say 'It Hate Me.' After rebooting, I discovered that I had not saved since week 11, where my record was the ugly 2-9.

I don't know if Madden Day should resume. On one hand, I was starting to really get into the game. Az Hakim had scored his 8th TD of the season. (Hakim also had 7 tackles while on offense for the season, which is not a good thing for a WR.) I was getting the hang of all 85 options I had for my defensive backs on each play. I was even making 42 yard field goals. But on the other hand, I've played 15.5 straight games of Madden in the last 17 hours (minus the 40 minutes when I dozed off). I think it's time to stop.

Besides, I've got to play season 2 of my Boston Red Sox franchise in MVP Baseball. We're the defending World Series Champions.