11 replies to this topic

[Scottie]

Hi, I'm Scottie, and I'm an internetaholic...

You know, I'm not even sure how I got here...

I was always fascinated with computers and the Internet, but I resisted the urge for years. Sure, I'd play at work.. I mean, for goodness sake, they had the Internet right there on my desktop.. who wouldn't slip off for a quick surf every now and then... it's not like I was the only one... everyone and I mean everyone was doing it.

But then... I got one at home. An IBM Aptiva 200MMX. Sleek and black with a separate console for the floppy and 8x CDROM that tucked neatly under the monitor, it was sexy. It was October of '97. In fact, today is the 7-year anniversary of when I brought my first wittle computer home from Best Buy ... it's still here too. Sure, it's had some compontents upgraded and it's not the latest model, but it's part of the family.

I'll admit I went overboard at first. There were a few nights I never even went to bed- just showered and headed out to work the next day. All the spinning graphics and webrings.. there was so much to experience. And, let's face it, the baby liked eating cereal out of the box for dinner- he thought it was fun! Not like he needed a bath every night...

When I got over that, there was Ebay. Oh... ebay... give me a moment.

Ebay was the vast universe of junk all available to me if I could only be the high bidder. Those damned sneaks that would bid with 15 seconds to go... how I hated them. Curse you, evil stealth bidder!! I needed that waterford ornament to complete my collection!

But the joys of winning... that coveted silver serving spoon in a pattern that I never liked anyway.. but now, I had a complete set! The UPS guy was my best friend.

I was convinced once I kicked the ebay addiction, that I had the problem under control. You know, I could handle a little internet every day. There were long hours of work that interrupted my surfing habits, so I know it wasn't a problem.

Working for myself however... well, maybe it was a mistake. I can see that now. I mean, little doses are OK, but when my job IS the internet... well, you can understand how it happened can't you? We've all been there...

And then the forums... . I just can't help myself. I have opinions, and there are s out there that need smacking. It's a public service, not an addiction. That's what I tell myself, anyway. The fact that I have 7 networked computers in my house is not a symptom.. I need them...

OK, that's it for me... who's next?

<That was rough...I need a drink... is somebody manning this bar or do I have to pour it myself??...>

[mhansen]

Guilty as charged . . .

I'm still not sure why I left the office today. The first thing I did when I got home from work is turn on my PC. I worked all day but it wasn't enough. I may work all night (or read forum posts anyway).

The fact that I have 7 networked computers in my house is not a symptom.. I need them...

Of course you need them Scottie. Everyone needs at least 7 networked computers at home.

[Scottie]

<shhh... I'm thinking of adding another... but really, it's not a problem.. I can handle it... I have wireless internet...>

[BobetteKyle]

Who, me? Of course not. I can stop anytime I want.

I don't need my email fix first thing in the morning. Yeah, I got three programs, but I gotta keep it all separate - my groups from my business mail from my personal mail, see.

I don't need my wireless in every living area, and so what if my GigaWatsis get crossed up with the cordless phone and the cell and the optical mouse and keyboard? It's all just part of modern life, right? We all deal with it, yeah?

I can give it up anytime I want, it's just more efficient this way, and my daughter doesn't mind, really, when I IM from the next room. Anyway, that falls under "because I'm the Mom" rules, totally different.

And no, those are not the shakes when I'm away from the 'net for more than three hours. Haven't you ever heard of hot flashes? I'm nearly 40, you know.

If playing with smilies helps me relax when I can't , so what?! It's no business of yours anyway!

And besides, somebody has to watch out for s while the others sleep!

And what's the harm in a little auction now and then? Why, just this week I made eight whole dollars when I sold my extra Core Secrets and The Firm parts! That can only be good.

I can give it up anytime I want. But it's my encyclopedia, see. Want to know a phone number? Give me a few seconds. A map? Driving directions? No problemo. Want to know how many major league records Albert Pujols has shattered? How many he will shatter before it's all said and done? Got it right here.

It's the world at my fingertips, but I can give it up any time I want. I just don't want to. How can a place where you meet people like OWG be bad? But....really....I can give it up.

And why should I, anyway?!

By gosh, it's my work. So what if I check email every three minutes and have a peek at AdSense revenue 15 times a day? A person has to keep up with analysis, you know!

And don't tell me you don't have online access to every one of your investment, banking, credit, insurance, and utility accounts!!! I just bet you do. You just won't admit it!

And - hello, wake up and smell the coffee - everybody's doing it nowdays. Sure, I may have a few more icons on my desktop. And yeah, yesterday's browser history is a bit large (ok, well, very large, but I'm a busy person!). Sure, it takes 10 minutes to clear my cookies, but I have to do a lot of research, you know.

No need to get all bent out of shape about it though. <deep breathe...breathe in, breathe out>

Like I said, it's no problem. I can give it up anytime....but I don't want to.

Anyway, time to go to bed. Just have to go check email real quick.

[csjavi]

The first thing I did when I got home from work is turn on my PC. 

You actually turn your home PC off when you go to work??? In the last 6 months my PC has been shut down only for component changes. Oh, and the restarts after installing something or other.

[Scottie]

Bobette... the first step is admitting you have a problem. We can't help you if you don't want to help yourself.


I have to leave the meeting... plane to catch.. but I want you all to think it through and face the ugly truth. You'll feel better if you can talk about it amongst friends.

Come on, who's next?

[linux_lover]

PC has been shut down

Whats this off nonsense talk? How does this 'off' concept work? My broadband connection was 'off' for a day once and I sat in a corner rocking....

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGHHH

[csjavi]

Whats this off nonsense talk? How does this 'off' concept work?

No idea. It must have something to do with removing the video card. The computer went

[torka]

And what's the harm in a little auction now and then? Why, just this week I made eight whole dollars when I sold my extra Core Secrets and The Firm parts! That can only be good.

Darn! I wish I'd known about that... I would have bought The Firm stuff offa ya, and I would have given you more than eight bucks for it, too...

--Torka

[BobetteKyle]

I would have bought The Firm stuff offa ya, and I would have given you more than eight bucks for it, too...

Actually, I got $23 for 3 DVDs plus the calendar (no step or stick). I paid $15 at a garage sale for the whole thing, but kept the equipment. $8 gross profit (Really, I fibbed in my post. I made total around $18 with the Core Secrets, but it was middle of the night and I wasn't up to the math ).

I accidentally bought two sets of Core Secrets. All I wanted was one set of the flash cards since I have a ball and don't do the videos...ordered the $40 set with everything in it online, then saw the same one at Target. They told me I couldn't cancel my online order, so when I get that one I'm going to "part it out" on ebay. I should get more than my $ back on that one. If you want, I can PM you when I put it up.

Edited by BobetteKyle, 13 October 2004 - 04:10 PM.

[mcanerin]

I tried to turn my computer off once, but the only button available said 'Start" and it had already started, so I've just left it.

Besides, I'm not addicted to the internet - I'm just here to make fun of everyone else and to feel superiour.

Admittedly, I spend more than 14 hours a day on this thing and get the shakes when I'm away from it. Also, checking email is the first thing and last thing I do every day, and my kids need to PM me in order to get supper - but that's not important.

Really, I'm not addicted... No, really... I can stop anytime I want - I just don't want to....

Ian

[torka]

Thanks, Bobette! I'm really mostly into The Firm more so than anything else. Got involved with them back in the early 80s, before they even had any videos (much less DVDs). They used to have a studio not far from my parents' house in Columbia (Irmo, actually - , Scottie! ) and I was going five, six days a week. They even asked me at one point if I would be interested in becoming an instructor.

That was (mumble) pounds ago, though...

So, now I've got to get back on the fitness bandwagon before I'm forced to buy an entirely new "plus size" wardrobe! :doh:

As to that Internet addiction thing, I used to be one of those who was on chat or IM until 3:00-4:00am, checking e-mail obsessively, pretty much constantly online. Now, I have websites I haven't touched since April, I seldom go online in the evenings, and I have actually been known to spend an entire weekend without even turning ON the computer at home. Seriously. Did it just this past weekend... :halo:

So, if anybody needs a "buddy" to help break the addiction, just e-mail me or send me an IM and let me know.

Really, though, it's amazing the changes having a kid will wreak on a perfectly lovely lifestyle...

--Torka