Sunday
Mar222009
Might As Well Face It You're Addicted to...
Sunday, March 22, 2009 at 01:30AM
Instead of coming up with a new resolution every Sunday, I’m just going to do one every 21 days. Some woman that’s kind of a big deal on the Internet reminded me that this is the way that real achievers do it.
If you're not in the know, you can check out this month's Resolution Sunday.
It’s official. I’m addicted to the Internet
Addicted (def.): Physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse effects; enthusiastically devoted to a particular thing or activity.
I had a very, very hard time staying offline that first Monday. So hard of a time that I actually ended up logging on.
I had a good reason, though.
I had to reset my Islamic prayer clock because of the time change and the manual is online.
Yes, I got on the Internet for religious reasons.
Totally off the hook for that one. God said it was OK. Well, just to clarify, he didn’t speak directly to me. But, I'm assuming, based on previous information that my actions were divinely mandated.
Moving on.
The next Monday was equally hard. Because Britt talked up her plans for her Monday post on Sunday, and, anyone who has ever heard Britt promote anything knows that resistance is futile.
So, I just logged on to read her post. But, I can't read Britt without reading Adam, because it's a rule. I swear, though, I was on for maybe 20 minutes.
I'm oh-for-two here, aren't I?
The question arises, if you're addicted to something and it’s not hurting you or anyone else, then who cares?
It’s not like my child is starving to death and my kitchen counters have fungus growing on them due to the neglect that arises out of my being on the Internet.
Maybe it’s an issue of control.
The need to flip open the laptop at random times during the day without really thinking about it feels unconscious. I just don’t like being unconscious. Unless there are stellar prescription drugs involved, in which case I'm open to it.
I like to know what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. And, sometimes, I’ll be online for an hour and not even realize it. I don’t like that feeling. I don’t like how a plan to be online for fifteen minutes turns into an hour and half, sometimes. I feel like it robs the presence out of my life.
Living conscious is not pretty. Every thirty minutes or so on No Internet Monday, I feel twitchy.
Twitch, twitch. I really want to check my e-mail.
Twitch, twitch. I need the number for my doctor. Do we even have a phone book?
Twitch, twitch. I wonder what my awesome bloggy friends wrote about today.
Twitch, twitch. I need to e-mail so and so about plans this week.
Twitch, twitch. Is Photoshop really $700?
Twitch, twitch. Can you really order prescription drugs legally from Canada?
Twitch, twitch. Hmmm, I really want to log in to Facebook.
Twitch, twitch. Damn, Barry, when are you going to get those girls a puppy?!
Twitch, twitch. I’d really love to read some Twitter updates.
Twitch, twitch. I’m starting to feel a little homicidal.
P.S. Tomorrow is the last No Internet Monday. I'll be switching over to Sundays from now on.
P.P.S Dear Britt, please don't post anything good on Sunday. Ever. Again.
If you're not in the know, you can check out this month's Resolution Sunday.
It’s official. I’m addicted to the Internet
Addicted (def.): Physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse effects; enthusiastically devoted to a particular thing or activity.
I had a very, very hard time staying offline that first Monday. So hard of a time that I actually ended up logging on.
I had a good reason, though.
I had to reset my Islamic prayer clock because of the time change and the manual is online.
Yes, I got on the Internet for religious reasons.
Totally off the hook for that one. God said it was OK. Well, just to clarify, he didn’t speak directly to me. But, I'm assuming, based on previous information that my actions were divinely mandated.
Moving on.
The next Monday was equally hard. Because Britt talked up her plans for her Monday post on Sunday, and, anyone who has ever heard Britt promote anything knows that resistance is futile.
So, I just logged on to read her post. But, I can't read Britt without reading Adam, because it's a rule. I swear, though, I was on for maybe 20 minutes.
I'm oh-for-two here, aren't I?
The question arises, if you're addicted to something and it’s not hurting you or anyone else, then who cares?
It’s not like my child is starving to death and my kitchen counters have fungus growing on them due to the neglect that arises out of my being on the Internet.
Maybe it’s an issue of control.
The need to flip open the laptop at random times during the day without really thinking about it feels unconscious. I just don’t like being unconscious. Unless there are stellar prescription drugs involved, in which case I'm open to it.
I like to know what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. And, sometimes, I’ll be online for an hour and not even realize it. I don’t like that feeling. I don’t like how a plan to be online for fifteen minutes turns into an hour and half, sometimes. I feel like it robs the presence out of my life.
Living conscious is not pretty. Every thirty minutes or so on No Internet Monday, I feel twitchy.
Twitch, twitch. I really want to check my e-mail.
Twitch, twitch. I need the number for my doctor. Do we even have a phone book?
Twitch, twitch. I wonder what my awesome bloggy friends wrote about today.
Twitch, twitch. I need to e-mail so and so about plans this week.
Twitch, twitch. Is Photoshop really $700?
Twitch, twitch. Can you really order prescription drugs legally from Canada?
Twitch, twitch. Hmmm, I really want to log in to Facebook.
Twitch, twitch. Damn, Barry, when are you going to get those girls a puppy?!
Twitch, twitch. I’d really love to read some Twitter updates.
Twitch, twitch. I’m starting to feel a little homicidal.
P.S. Tomorrow is the last No Internet Monday. I'll be switching over to Sundays from now on.
P.P.S Dear Britt, please don't post anything good on Sunday. Ever. Again.
Reader Comments (17)
cracking up that you are making your resolution fit your internet addiction. love you!
I have to say, Sundays are a much easier for staying off of the net than Mondays are. I actually can see you making it without twitching!
But seriously, like you said...as long as you aren't hurting and neglecting? Enjoy everything!
I bet you find Sundays much less twitchy. :-)
You know, all of you people are technologically backwards. You're like Neanderthals. Deciding to live "without Internet" is like saying, "I'm going to go ahead and take a day off from breathing because I find it's too addicting."
The Internet and its many tools and uses are becoming fully integrated with the human race and the quicker you embrace it, the better!
You have some killer meds?!! Share, please?! :)
You do whatever you want - you are always right. Hear that, Tariq?!
Ha!
xo
adam? totally makes me swoon.
i am only slightly drunk and would totally say that sob er.
seriouslly.
I hearz ya. I'm trying to come to grips with my own addictions. Work laptop, kitchen computer, wife's laptop, daughter's laptop, daughter's iPhone.
Blackberry.
mmmm, blackberry.
You are not addicted to the Internet.
The Internet is addicted to you.
And I agree with Hilly that it's alot easier on nice sunny Sundays than on Mondays to deny the addicts their dose of you.
What Adam said. It does make life easier!
Sundays are a good choice, believe me.
And Photoshop really is $700. I know this because I just got a new Mac and need Photoshop. I am test-driving Photoshop Elements (which is a mere $80) right now; so far, I'm happy with it. But I really don't do much to my photos.
You're cheating! You know NOBODY really ever posts anything on sundays. Well, with a few exceptions. cheater..... LOL
kidding. I rarely get on the internet on weekends though. iPhones don't really count, right? LOL
Spent the weekend with the kids and my parents at a cheap conference hotel near Disney - and couldn't convince myself to pay $10/day for internet. I turned to the laptop EVERY time I had a question - what's the weather? what time does Epcot open today? where should we go for dinner? is there a pool at this cheap hotel (uhh, look out the window, dipshit) - I was LITERALLY twitching in withdrawal. As soon as we pulled in to the garage, I plugged in the laptop and began ignoring my children once again. Aaaaah, bliss.
If you can't get the Canadian companies to ship you drugs, there are always Canadian readers... just saying.
i totally feel your pain. My computer blew last week, and i only just got it back. No computer for 5 days pretty much drove me batty.
Seriously, i didnt know what to do with myself.. it was quite a wake up call as to how much i depend on it.
Ha, ha! This is so funny and so TRUE. I am just like that too. It takes me an hour and 15 mintues to get ready every morning and that's because I stop every 5 minutes or so to check something whether it be email, or blogs, or an answer to a question I had while showering or blow drying my hair. It would probably take me 40 minutes if I kept the darn thing closed. It is so an addiction.
Annnnd, you guys no those sayings, "Be careful what you wish for?" or "When it rains, it pours?" or "If you don't use it, you lose it"?? My Internet connection at home has been down for THREE DAYS. Which is why I'm getting back to you just now. Nice, huh?
I missed you. I really, really missed you.
So, pls don't mind if I don't read the 4 million items you've posted on your blogs in the past four days. :)