I'm upset...until I was left with 5 weeks, I thought that the gophers were as disposable as the boosts...I'd only use 1-5 (I thought that what were upgrades were simply extra gophers) per level. I ended with 250k, and could probably have gotten the hard badge if I'd known to use the gopher earlier.
Really enjoyed the game, and am very grateful for the ability to redistribute points. If I had been stuck with the phoenix ability forever, I might never have gotten the consolation prize (my second-to-last badge before the 25 rides).
As a postscript to my previous comment...the post-power-up unfreezing almost invariably causes the game to lag 2-3 seconds, and when I can control the paddle I've usually lost a life, if not the whole game.
Glad to finally get through to the broadcast I'd been anticipating. If anybody is curious, the translation is:
Attention:
[The] Moscow [channel] is playing and showing
All television channels are working
Watch and listen to [the] Moscow [broadcasting company].
Isn't it soooo much cooler in Russian, though?
Four anyone having trouble with the "trip to infinity" bug: try setting your speed to 1x when you are within 1 hour of the city--I think the problem stems from you 'overshooting' the city (the same happens with mercenaries--the faster you're going, the more likely a battle will be avoided).