Kids these days, with their cellular talky-boxes and iNewton doodimahickeys. They don't seem to know how to live without the internet or latest gadget--and that's fine, 'cause neither do we, but the real problem is how goshdanged smug they are about it.

So, you insufferable tweens, think we didn't grow up with super awesome shiny beepy-time toys, too?

BEHOLD, THE BIG TRAK.

Released in 1979, the Big Trak could remember 16 commands such as: go forward 10 lengths, annoy the family dog with a phaser (see video for example), drop a payload, and start it all over again. Much more practical than an iPad.

Not too long ago us nostalgic adult-types at ThinkGeek carried the BigTrak Jr, a desktop version of Big Trak, which remembered 32 commands and also had a camera and a rocket launcher--and then they stopped making them. Sad panda.

However, we bring glad tidings! The BigTrak Jr is coming back this summer (sign up here for an email update when it comes back in stock!), and we're so excited we decided to send Timmy up in a rocket. (Yes, this is normal.)

This week Timmy will be strapped into a rocket somewhere in the Arizona desert, to be launched along with (but not in this) special edition commemorative ThinkGeek BigTrak Jr rocket over there to the right.

We've told Timmy this is all part of his training to be an astronaut (NASA hasn't actually returned our calls yet) so he seems to think he's going to at least orbit Earth once--but he won't actually go that far, and we'll know 'cause there will be an altimeter on board as well.

Which is where you (and the prizes) come in: Guess how high Timmy will go in his rocket by Thursday, June 17 at 12 noon EDT and if you're the closest without going over, you'll win a $150 ThinkGeek gift certificate. And because these things are always close, we'll throw in two $100 runners-up gift certificates. We should know our winner by Friday, June 18, at which time we will have video (omg) from Timmy who will (zomg) parachute out of the rocket.

UPDATE THURSDAY 6/17 12 noon ET: Entry form is closed! We're tallying results and editing pics of Timmy's epic flight right now. Keep your feed readers or whatever tuned--we'll post the winners tomorrow afternoon!

ROCKET SCIENTISTS, here are your clues: Timmy's rocket is 6" in diameter, 9 feet long, and will weigh about 20 pounds at launch. It will be powered by one K class and two I class rocket engines.

Please don't leave your guess in the comments! It will not count in the contest! But you can comment there with other predictions, like if Timmy will pee his pants on the way down.