There was a time, not so long ago, that if you had shown me the box of chocolates above I would have been drooling all over myself. If there is one thing I love more than bacon (well, almost) it’s chocolate. I was addicted. To get over that, I started playing computer mahjongg. I played solitaire Nanjing for hours! I thought I could get over that by starting to blog, and it worked. But, now I have a “blogging addiction.” If you think you, or someone you know may have a problem with “blog abuse,” remember it is not humorous. These are the problems for which you should be watching:
1. The two of you are “home alone;” the children are at Grandmommy’s house and the cats are asleep. Your significant other has surprised you with candlelight, wine, flowers and takeout from your favorite Thai restaurant. He is feeling frisky and starts making eyes at you. “Not now, honey,”" you reply. “I have to answer my comments.”
2. You wake up at 2:00 a.m., not from hot flashes, but to check your stats.
3. When you do sleep, you have fitful dreams of speaking in html and writing a kick butt post. It’s all gone from your mind when you awaken.
4. You’ve spent weeks trying to arrange for the plumber to come repair the leak in your home’s slab. At last you have a date with him, and when he shows up you forgot he was coming. Although you have been up and at the computer since 4:30, you have never gotten dressed. You don’t even care that you are wearing your funky “Sunday sweatpants” (the “holey” ones) and a t-shirt that says, “Congratulate Me, I Used to Be Anorexic.”
5. You have waited for three weeks while sporting events pre-empted your “Ugly Betty.” At last the new episode is scheduled, and you are so caught up in an internet conversation with people you don’t know that you totally forget to watch it. After that, you just say, “Ah, forget it” and blog instead.
6. The family comes home from their day out in the world, and you are surprised, because you didn’t realize that nine hours had passed. You have totally forgotten to cook, so you slap a can of Spaghettios on the table…for the third time this week.
7. Not only that, you forget to eat lunch…which might make blogging a good substitute for dieting, except that you are ravenous when your husband brings home Happy Meals from McDonalds.
8. Not only that, you forget to partake of all of your other vices.
9. Your family is taking a vacation at last. As your spouse drives along a treacherous stretch of highway, with hazardous traffic on all sides, you scream, “STOP!!” at the top of your lungs. He screeches to a halt at the side of the road, almost colliding with three cars in his path. You jump out of the car to take a picture of the billboard that says, “Beaver Builders, Damn Fine Homes” so you can post it for Wordless Wednesday.
10. You and your spouse go out with your favorite friends. Their eyes glaze over as you relate the hilarious posts that your on-line friends Flibber T. Bibbet and Rabble Fraggit have posted over the last month and a half. Their smiles freeze on their faces as you regale them with the latest news about your Technorati ranking and the memes in which you have chosen to participate. Suddenly, they remember another engagement. After that, when you try to call all you get is the answering machine.
11. Your child is telling you about a triumph at school, and all you can think about is, “Should I turn this into a funny post or make it poignant?”
12. On your anniversary dinner, at the most prestigious restaurant in town, you take out your notebook so you can scribble notes for your next post.
13. You get so caught up in blogging that you forget to return a client’s call in a timely manner. When you do, they have hired someone else. You lost the job. You got “Dooced.” That does not make you into an uberblogger—it makes you a putz.
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{ 54 comments… read them below or add one }
Bwahahahahah. It’s true, it’s all true. Excellent job.
Whew! I wondered about this post. When I saw your comment, I squealed to my husband, “Comedy Plus gave me a Bwahahahah!” He said, “what?” Thanks for stopping by.~skt
Hi! I’m The Gal Herself and I’m a Blog Addict. (“Hi, Gal!”) I have purposely logged on, just to check my stats. And, while living my life, I have wondered what kind of entry I’d write about it. You got me! I need help!
Help is what we all need, but if we stick together we can pull through…or at least we won’t care.~skt
AHhahahahah,
Love it!
This is a great post. My kids will say “mom!” and I’ll say, “one sec, I’ve got to finish one thing!” and then post my comment!
I really enjoyed visiting your blog today. Happy Thursday and blog on!
Thank you Rashenbo. You definitely belong in the support group! ~skt
I’d spend a lot of time coming up with a witty post after reading your TT but you’ve made me feel guilty about spending too much time blogging so instead I’m off to do something else instead. Maybe I’ll just check my stats first. And my technorati rank. And I’ve not validated my CSS in a couple of weeks. On second thoughts who needs the real world?
Life? We don’t need no stinkin’ life.~skt
http://jadesymb.livejournal.com/279252.html
made me laugh!
Glad I did! Come again. ~skt
LMAO!!! Hi, Shelly. I’m Thomma Lyn, and I’m a Blogging Addict.
What a hilarious and tongue-in-cheek spot on post!
We’ve really gotta remember to take a break from this stuff sometimes, hee hee.
Happy TT to you, and thanks as always for making me think and making me laugh!
Whaddaya mean tongue-in-cheek? I’m dead serious. Happy TT to you, too.~skt
Holy Cow, you are addicted. It’s Wednesday….7:30pm and I was debating whether to blog another lab blog or my 13, guess it’s my 13.
Another sign of addiction: you carry your digital camera with you all the time, b/c you never know when that next inspiration will come up. And all good bloggers know that a picture at the top of the post is worth it’s weight in gold….
Glad to have the blogging support group. Really good 13 this week.
Thank you, Jen. And, yes, I’m addicted. I am not ashamed to admit it. Those are good additions! Wish I had thought of them.~skt
I am most definately addicted.
Great post!
Thanks, Rebecca. I’m glad you recognize your addiction. It’s the first step to getting help…as if we want it.~skt
Another sign of blogging addiction:
You maintain a blog each for yourself, your children, your partner, and your pets. You update every one of them at least twice a week. The CIA has stopped monitoring your phone because they know that every detail of your life will be on one of your blogs.
And another:
The weather is glorious. The sun is shining, it’s warm but not sweltering, the air is clear. Yet when you go outside, your fingers keep twitching…as if they’re still on the keyboard.
And another:
You try to learn sign language only to realize that you aren’t signing. You’re *typing*.
Those are wonderful additions! And, I found someone who is in worse shape than I am! Thanks, Laughing Muse
~skt
I’m not quite that bad yet, but I can see some of the symptons. LOL.
You will see more as time passes, but it will all be OK. ~skt
You just held a mirror up to me. Thanks.
According to my stats, I’ve just posted 201 times. Just think, if I used my computer time more wisely, I could have 201 pages of a book finished.
Uh-oh… now I’m depressed
But, just think…the 201 posts will be out there on the WWW for all the world to see…FOREVER! ~skt
Recently when transitioning from one computer that had died a horrid death to another that needed material from the old one transferred, I was without a computer for three days.
It wasn’t pretty: rapid eye blinks, drooling, anguished moans, clutching fingers pressed around a mouse clicking aimlessly.
I’m better now as soon as I pass on the cure in my blog.
Jamie, that is so sad. I’m so glad you are better now! We are here for you~skt
“Get help online.”
You mean there’s help in other forms???
*grin*
Happy TT!
Actually, Susan, there is NO HELP AT ALL! Thanks for visiting~skt
LOL yup, that’s a serious addiction
Yes, I’m looking for on-line support groups.~skt
Add me to the list!
It’s a loooong list, Lisa, but you can be on it
~skt
My name is TeaMouse and I’m a Blog Addict – I can’t go more than an hour without checking on my blog, seeing my stats popping over my my blog friends to see if they’ve posted anything recent. When I get there and there’s no new posts I go into a funk and then to satisify my intense addiction I go through their archives looking for something to give me the blog rush.
Can you help me?
No, I can’t, Sweet Tea, but you can probably find the 12 Steps on-line lol! ~skt
Sadly, I’ve done several of those things. I even went into withdrawals the past two weeks since I couldn’t post. It was horrible.
I know that withdrawal! It’s horrible. You have my condolences and utter sympathy. I feel for you, but I can’t reach you.~skt
Baahahaha! Spot on, sister! I have suffered from one or more of these sporadically over the course of the last 4-5 years, it comes and goes. I’m glad for that.
Sometimes, I hear clickety-clacking in my ears when the keyboard is not even in front of me. It’s deafening.
heh!
Oh, I know that sound! I didn’t know what it was, thought it was cat claws on the tile! ~skt
These were all great, but I so love number 11. lol
Thanks, Rose. I figured people would have many more to add! ~skt
Sad sad but true. I used to wonder how people could spend so much time on the computer. Now I know!
Happy TT!
Join the club, Lori.~skt
OH NO! I’m a blogging addict! Should I thank you for making me confront myself?! I don’t think so!
We were talking, just talking, about where to take our vacation this summer, and the only thought going through my mind was: how will I blog if I go on vacation? I’ll lose the few readers I have!!!
Great post this week! I still chuckle over that whole bacon thing, plus the oil in the cat’s ears!
YOU are too, too much!
Thank you, Kathy. I’m so sorry I made you confront yourself
On vacation, you can take pictures and notes. Buy a laptop. Aren’t I helpful?~skt
LOL! These are great. I dream about blogging. On Wednesday nights I always seem to dream about how many comments I might find waiting for me on my TT when I wake up Thursday morning. And I also keep a notebook handy for scribbling down post ideas. Yes, I think I’m officially addicted.
Yep, it’s official! ~skt
My husband is out with the boys – and I told him not to hurry home as I would be online tonight. Yes, I’m a blog addict – checking stats, monitoring technorati and mybloglog and wondering what I’m going to write about next . . .
We are here for you, Christine lol! ~skt
What about foregoing a vacation altogether? The only consolation I can find in leaving is the prospect of the photographs, as you say. I keep putting it off…putting it off..putting it off.
An excellent list.
Thank you, Damozel….but we can’t miss the photographs! That’s the only way we knew we left the computer! ~skt
Yep my dear, you got it bad!!! I can attest to all those things that blogging addiction is a real but fun thing!!
Don’t you just hate when you are trying to go to sleep but you can’t because you have a sudden brillant idea for a post?
Happy TT!!
Yellow Rose, I never bother to try anymore…I just get up and write. Somebody save me! ~skt
Oh my god, how did you get inside my head?!?
ROFLMAO. Great post.
How did I get in you head? I’m psycho.~skt
LOL! Great list. Unfortunately, I think you just described my past week. I need to get out more!
Don’t we ALL!~skt
I want that t-shirt you described……
Sorry…caaaaaan’t have it. ~skt
This made me laugh and I think I let out a sigh of relief. I thought I had a computer addiction, but after reading this list, I know I’ve got a lot farther to travel before I’m in the danger zone.
Happy TT Day. Mine is up!
~skt
Hang in there…you’ll probably attain addiction. When you do, we are here for you.
Hi – great TT! I’m not quite fully addicted according to your list, but I definitely do some of them! Another to add would be “You spend the time while you are in the shower composing a blog entry”
TeeHee! Is that why I have that ring of dirt around my neck? I got so distracted…~skt
Oh Shelly, what a riot, you do have it bad!!!!
Yes, I’m afraid I do…~skt
LOL LOL.. oh so true
Great 13.
I played for the 1st time today. here is the link
http://mindlesschatterofabusymom.blogspot.com/2007/04/thursday-thirteen42607.html
You’ll enjoy visiting all the TTs…thanks for stopping at mine!~skt
Hah! That was a great list. I can SO relate to 90% of it. Hope you have a great BLOG filled day.
Obviously I WILL have a blog filled day, because I just can’t help myself! Thanks for stopping and for the good wishes.~skt
I always have been very punctual, now it happens all the time that I am late, because I was blogging.3 x I forgot to go for a massage (!) not the dentist and it happens every evening that I almost forget that it’s supper time and something has to be prepared !
BTW you throw me out of the contest, now you can throw me in again, I put the link this morning while you were still sleeping like a baby !
Thanks for putting in the link. I don’t sleep like a baby! I dream blogging and throw five cats off of me all night!~skt
What an awesome list!! I’m afriad I have all of the symptoms too – except for the notebook thing. *makes mental note to put notebook in purse* I have been saving for a high quality but teeny tiny camera to put in my purse so that I can do #9 more often. =)
Thanks for the giggles! Happy TT!!
Yes, get the camera and the notebook, and your purse will be as big as mine! Thanks for stopping by!~skt
These are funny — and all too close to the truth!
Barbara, they ARE the truth! ROFL but because I’m pathetic!!!~skt
LOL great list! That’s how I am with email.
Not so much e-mail for me anymore. That was better. At least, you had to have someone to write to. With blogging, I’m just talking to my selves.~skt
OMG…. I’m on my way to a problem it would seem. I can put a check mark next to at least 8 on that list… I only wish I had been the one to see the Beaver sign!
Yeah, YOU would have gotten a decent shot!~skt
I’m guilty of #9, #10, and #11! I cannot help but always be on the lookout for the next post in the everyday.
Yep, everything is fodder for the blog.~skt
Oops! Not #10…#12!
Sadly, I have had those dreams about a great post and then, poof! It’s gone the moment I wake up.
Also, I go through withdrawals when I am on vacation. I have seriously contemplated buying a laptop just so I can post while on vacation.
I’m on the verge of becoming a full-fledged addict.
I go through withdrawals when I’m at my real job! You probably are already a full-fledged addict. Another symptom is that we say things like, “I’m on the verge…” Thanks for reading.~skt
LOL! All true. Always wondering “Can I blog this.”
And, so diappointed that I took my time w. not one, but two posts this week and nothing happened. No comments. Where did my peeps go??
Thanks for the chuckle.
Our peeps visit some days, and other days they wander. Just be glad when they are chirping at your place. Thanks for visiting ~skt
This is pretty much a perfect post. A blogger’s manifesto.
Lovely Wife and I use the term “frisky” too. Just like Mr. and Mrs. C on Happy Days.
Uh, oh, John, you’re telling your age. Thanks for the kudos. ~skt
I am not this bad but could be.
So funny.
Happy TT
Be well and enjoy the day.
Thanks! I hope you don’t get this bad. It’s sad, really~skt
I’m getting close to addiction. But I’m single w/o kids, so it’s harder to tell. Noone to catch me still in my pj’s in the late afternoon.
My TT13 is up at http://anyapples.blogspot.com/
A long time ago, no one would have caught ME that way either! Thanks for stopping.~skt
Ahem. I can quit, anytime. Really.
(I feel like you peered into my dark soul.)
“I guess it could be worse” said the lady in serious denial.
I did indeed peer into your dark soul, and held a mirror for you to see it, too! Yes, we can ALL quit…anytime…if the computer dies.~skt
As always…you make me laugh!! That’s why I come here day after day!! Great List!!
Thanks, Stephanie. I’m glad you visit. You know I like to visit you! ~skt
LoL…great post! By the looks of the comments, it seems you could start your own support-group!
I just hope the support group will prop me up…I think they are in the same shape as I am!~skt
i enjoyed your TT so much that i gave you props on my TT!!
Thank you for the link love, Kendra! I appreciate it AND your visit!~skt
Hmmmmm….maybe you should start a 13 step program for blog addicts. I would join! We could meet on Thursdays
(Oh, wait, It’s that Thursday 13 that got me hooked to begin with-it’s hopeless
Happy TT- Just loved your list–it’s great!!!
Jessica The Rock Chick
Thanks, Jessica…I think your comment came through twice…I’ll have to figure that one out.~skt