Since I'm still in the running, time to amp things up a bit:

- Finish Codecademy Python course (skipping the "Practice Makes Perfect" section because it's driving me nuts with things I probably won't even do... Will go back to it eventually.)

- Brush up on PyGame (book is ordered on Python and the Raspberry Pi)

- Wire in and program joystick

- Keep looking for 12v output power bank (may have to go with a modified battery of some sort)

First, coffee...