I've just bee accused for the umpty-umpth time of being addicted to the Interned, and of not having a life. Amazingly, I like most of mine just fine. How about the rest of y'all? I've got to admit that I skip most of the Andy Ray threads, but read most of the rest.

-- Klicker (klicker@kbds.r.us), May 13, 2000

Answers

Knowing a bit about addiction, I can tell you we humans can convince ourselves of just about anything if the desire to continue feeding an addiction is strong enough.

I enjoyed smoking cigarettes. Nothing like a cig after a meal. Smoking tobacco helped to filter mny emotions. It also deadened my sensitivity to the vibrations of others. I needed to smoke. It served a purpose. I liked it.

I hated the stench of it. My car stunk. My clothes stunk. I couldn't wear clurties. Didn't prevent me from smoking though.

I awakened one morning knowing I wouldn't smoke that day. I listened to that inner voice. 17 days & counting - haven't touched a butt.

I try to use introspection daily that I may catch & nip unbalanced behavior in the bud. I urge you to seriously consider the words of those around you. They may be full of crap. They may have a point. Don't dismiss them willy-nilly. Or is it 'willi-nilli'?

Best,

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 13, 2000.

Bingo1,

Thanks. Good luck on your endeavor. I have read that if you can sustain a new behavior pattern for 21 days, it will "burn in" and then be easier to continue.

-- Observer (lots@to.observe), May 13, 2000.

Klicker,

On the average, I check the net twice daily. Then there's e-mail with friends overseas and State side.

Having been in the news racket, years back, there's still a certain amount of news-junkie left.

Read Andy Ray? No thanks.

Otherwise, got all sorts of chores to do, at the moment fighting with two bad teeth, dentist appointments, antibiotics, pain killers (don't like those) So, while I use and enjoy the net, and enjoy much of what is here on this forum - I've got other things to do.

-- Richard (Astral-Acres@webtv.net), May 13, 2000.

And did you ask them what they are "addicted" to? Like, how much TV do you watch? How much time and effort do you spend making and thinking about money? The list is endless. Tell them to check out their own passions and see if they are worthy passions. Do they have none? How sad. I love the internet and if that is my addiction, so be it. I dare say people who make comments like that get a little rush of superiority if even for a moment.

-- jeileen (tjfarrar@bellsouth.net), May 13, 2000.

Klicker -

I been logging on three times a day for the last 2 1/2 years and I aint got addicted yet

-- Richard Pryor (@ .), May 13, 2000.

Serial addiction runs in my family. Why do something in moderation when you can spend two years doing it non-stop and then move along to the NEXT addiction? Seriously, MOST folks enjoy something to the exclusion of other things at a given point in time. Usually folks point out your behavior because it's not THEIR chosen behavior at the same point in time. SO's ex-wife complained that he was always reading or engaged in sports. He ENJOYS reading, and can play 18 rounds of golf and come home to watch golf on T.V. Is that an addiction? Probably. Does it affect anyone? No.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), May 13, 2000.

Cereal addiction can be tough on the body, particularly if it's a high fiber cereal. Likewise, those with high sugar content can cause problems as well.

Still, I'd rather have an irritated anus & all my teeth than a happy bum & no choppers.

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 13, 2000.

Cereasly, when an activity consistently interferes with family responsibilities, it is time to act. Engage in said act less frequently, include family members in the activity, split from the family, or if it is truly an addiction, cut it out entirely until one is strong enough to handle the occasional foray.

Relationships are about compromise. Except in my household. I'm the king. Really I am.

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 13, 2000.

the spirit is willing--the flesh is weak.

-- al-d (dogs@zianet.com), May 13, 2000.

Sound on ...

Midnight Confessions

-- Debra (...@....), May 13, 2000.

I became hypnotized during "Midnight Confessions", Debra. I simply stared at the words and listened to the music for MINUTES. It DID start me THINKING about some things I must do today, however. Of course we all know that great plans must have a lengthy thought process if they are to be carried out EFFICIENTLY. [This will be included in my "Guide to Procrastination" .]

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), May 13, 2000.

OK, I'll play straight man.

"When will your Guide to Procrastination be published, Anita?"

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 13, 2000.

Bingo:

Let me think about that before I respond.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), May 13, 2000.

Ah, you've stumbled Anita. For a skilled procrastinator rids his/her mind of the object of the procrastination as soon as possible. A true procrastinator would not have responded to my (rubbing his hands together) little trap.

I shall not purchase your 'guide' when published. And it won't be a case of procrastination on my part, merely a snub.

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 13, 2000.

Moderation is in the eye of the beholder,just as one persons trash is anothers treasure.If the day is all about productivity I think it's a time managment thing,doing the things we have to do,doing the things we like to do and doing the things others may want us to do.

Sometimes there is a give and take,even with ourselves.The priority of the moment will recieve the swiftest attention and all else will be delayed until it then becomes the priority.

Being here sure beats hangin' out at a bar till all hours of the mornin',I would think husbands and wives would agree that this is definetly the lessor of the two evils.Now when I start carryin' the laptop to the bar and posting from my perch there I think I may have a problem.(or is that maybe a good idea?); )

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), May 13, 2000.

Cap: "Now when I start carryin' the laptop to the bar and posting from my perch there I think I may have a problem"

Well shiver me timbers. I thought surely you were typing your posts with one hand, shooting Old Crow with the other, all the while perched on a bar stool. Fancy that. ;)

-- Bingo1 (howe9@shentel.net), May 13, 2000.

Bingo1,

Haven't done it yet,but I swear It's not that bad an idea: )No Old Crow for moi,but this Bud in other hand is quite refreshing.

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), May 13, 2000.

ROFLMAO...why capn, pass me one of the heinkens!!!!

laptop at the bar? Is that why you've been so scarce darling? You havent gotten up the nerve to 'use it' there yet have you. ? :-)

Good idea though, think of the trouble we could get into.

By the way cap....you got mail.. ;-0

thats the one eyed pete ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

-- consumer (shh@aol.com), May 13, 2000.

Sumer,

I haven't yet,but it may be a reality asap.If for no other reason just for SHITS AND GIGGLES : ).like I said,an online happy hour.No wireless connection,will have to see if they have an extra line I can commandere,this may be a funny quest.Now off to the salt mines.

-- capnfun (capnfun1@excite.com), May 13, 2000.

Anita:

Not to be picky, but 18 rounds of golf. That would be 18 holes 18 times. One fast golfer :o)

More than I could do and come home and watch TV.

Best wishes,,,,

Z

-- Z1X4Y7 (Z1X4Y7@aol.com), May 13, 2000.

Define what you mean by "life," please.

-- (kb8um8@yahoo.com), May 13, 2000.

Never mind. The sun has returned and so have the women...

-- (kb8um8@yahoo.com), May 13, 2000.

Well I have a life,

It is better than no life. crawling around on the lake or pond floor is better than not crawling at all.

Think I might take a lap top up to the bird bar tomorrow, they sure run into trees when they come down the mt., maybe they need some intelligent input, I will be sure to show em this site.

I still hate peanut butter.

-- crawdad (crawdad@ihatepeanutbutter.nuts), May 13, 2000.

A life? Sure. Poisoned a family of ground squirrels Tuesday. Will miss the male that showed up two years ago but the dumb fuck bred a recent female this spring giving a total of seven. Little Red Shed started to lean from their efforts and it became time for them to go. Recently rescued a couple of humans though. They were dumber than the squirrels. Goober hubby brought home some "valuable" chemicals from a closed job. I questioned why both were having the same neuro symptoms. Doc didn't catch it. Just kept prescribing symptom killing stuff. I caught it. Made me feel usefull. Yeah, all in all, I got a life. Kill 'em, save 'em. How bout U?

-- Carlos (riffraff@cybertime.net), May 14, 2000.

Anyone who brags about poisoning animals has something seriously wrong with them.

-- Chicken Little (panic@forthebirds.net), May 14, 2000.

Who is drinking Carlos?

ET ?

" Now is the time for all good men to"

go to bed?

-- ownership (----@--.com), May 14, 2000.

Chicken Little,

I beat moles over the head ! They mess up my lawn and eat my garden.

It all depends on the damange, doesn't it?

The "Whore" threads speak volumes don"t they?

Only protect what your willing to defend.

-- ownership (====@==.com), May 14, 2000.

;alsdifja;wouhf

-- nope (no@life.here), July 07, 2000.

Between the investment stuff, and my online business stuff, and the online auction stuff, and checking out what people say here, I figure I'm online fourteen hours a day. But I can quit any time I want. Just like that. No problem. Really.

-- I'm Here, I'm There (I'm Everywhere@so.beware), July 07, 2000.

Well, okay. Maybe just this one little post. But I'm not hooked. Really. I can stop anytime I want.

-- I'm Here, I'm There (I'm Everywhere@so.beware), July 07, 2000.

Klicker, this is more interesting than "clicking" the tv remote. I have not cared for tv for years. I used to stay up late cleaning house, tired of that too. Used to read till late hours, until eyesight problems made that seem like work. Carlos, I thought you were a male gender! Surprise me! "Ownership", you are Mr. "Shakey in a Bunker". Klicker, there are those of my accusers, who too cannot believe I spend so much time on line. They go play tennis and golf, what a stupid waste of human energy on chasing a ball. I spend four hours a day researching the Internet for job related, and three, for personal. A Virtual Library, everything, you ever wanted to know, about anything. Sure beats channel surfing.

-- My Story (andi@sticking.com), July 08, 2000.

Hi Klicker:
You are not alone on this one. Though I enjoy reading threads here from time to time, I am far from addicted. No, my addiction was (is) with a GUI chatroom called, "The Palace". I am very serious in writing this. I began spending literally seven or eight hours at a time in this human life vacuum, so I uninstalled it, only to re- download and reinstall again a few months later. After vowing to never return to regulars in my area of one of the chatrooms (to give you some idea of the size of this, there are several hundred palaces, each containing ten to thirty chat areas), I found myself again reinstalling and re-registering a new user name. Two days ago, for the fourth time, I ripped The Palace client software off my system, I securely (by DoD standards) deleted all .ini files to be sure I would not be able to recover fragments later, I removed all registry entries, and I put my hand-written copies of registration codes through the paper shredder. Time will tell how long I last, but so far so good. I can write from my experiences on The Palace that there are a lot of people in similar situations.

-- might be funny (if.it.was.not.so.p@thet.ic), July 08, 2000.

Oooooooo. I've been spoofed! I feel so flattered.

Yep, it's true. The sun is back, the women are out, and my lawn needs cutting, so off I go.

-- (kb8um8@yahoo.com), July 08, 2000.

Wow, Resurrection of an oldie thread!

Well, I'm on here tonite (Saturday) so that says it all about me!!!

-- Mr. In-Between (MIB@saturday.nite.con), July 08, 2000.

Hey Klicker,

If you're bored on Saturday night, try Las Vegas. The excitement is so pervasive that it sort of overwhelms you. Burns out the locals, too.

What surprised me while I was zooming up that way on Friday night, was the huge amount of traffic heading South on I-15 toward Barstow and other points south. It was about 10 to 1 versus Northbound traffic. I would have expected the opposite.

-- Flash (flash@flash.hq), July 09, 2000.

Klicker,

I've been away from the net for almost two weeks (thats what happens when youngest son comes home from college for his vacation) and I must confess that I found I'm not as addicted as I thought I was. But now that I have access to my computer again maybe I'll find that addiction returning. :-)

-- Malcolm Taylor (taylorm@es.co.nz), July 09, 2000.