by Peter C. Frank
Member since:
May 25, 2007

How much of a computer addict are you?

January 06, 2008 11:10 AM EST
views: 75 | comments: 34

I was posting a comment to an article I wrote as a follow-up of sorts, and as I'm doing so I'm putting a DVD into my friend's notebook (I'm apartment sitting for him this weekend and he's going to a friend's where he has access to a computer so he didn't bring his notebook).

So here I sit, doing my Gather thing on one notebook and watching a DVD on another.

When I have to go to the bathroom I bring my notebook in there with me.

I'm also doing some basic maintenance on my friend's computer.

And I'm IMing a few friends on my computer while I Gather.

Oh, the flick I'm watching is a Mae West movie .... what a dame she was--totally TERRIF!

But I'm getting off track here. I mean, how much of an addict am I that I have to be using two computers at the same time? And I have to bring my computer with me into the bathroom?

Have I got it bad, or what? 

Oh, and how great is this Mae West dialogue:

Fortune Teller: I see a man in your life

Mae West's character (I should find this out--I'm not even sure of the name of the flick I'm watching!): What, only one?

...

Fortune Teller: In the near future I see a change...

Mae: What, a change of men?

Fortune Teller: Not yet

Mae: Oh.

Fortune Teller: I see a change of position

Mae: Sitting or reclining? 

It's just TERRIF, don'tcha think? (David I swear!!!!) What a pip she is, that Mae!

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Comments: 34

Patrick D. Jan 6, 2008, 11:14am EST
There are 12 step programs for this you know. LMAO. Step away from the laptop Peter, Step away. Normally I spend perhaps a couple of hours a day on the computer. However on this last break from school it has consumed me. Probably because I don't have 14 hours of homework to keep me company. LOL!
Landen Michaels Jan 6, 2008, 11:17am EST
I'm not taking the laptop into the bathroom yet, so I figure I still have it under control.
Tom M. Jan 6, 2008, 11:23am EST
I spend a lot of time on the computer but you have a problem. I think there is a pill for that! LOL

At least I bet if you went to a doctor, they would find one to prescribe to you!
Billy M. Jan 6, 2008, 11:30am EST
Yep, you've got it bad. I'm addicted but I can visit the bathroom without taking a computer with me, lol. Oh ok, that's because I've got a computer in there (j/k).

Oh and the Mae West film is 'I'm No Angel' I think. I love films from around then, especially Marx Bros stuff - some of the dialogue back then was fantastic!
Ruth Luce Jan 6, 2008, 11:38am EST
Well, I did leave my laptop with my mom in Michigan so I can't carry it with, too bad that! And 2 isn't unusual! I also put DVD's in the second so that I can still 'pute or I would never watch them at all. If I am not at work or sleeping, you can bet I'm 'puting!
El Toro Bravo de Amor Jan 6, 2008, 11:59am EST
Soon you'll be able have the microsoft bio platform installed.It runs on a 10 year battery. A multi pin connector plugs directly into the cerebral cortex and accesses email, phone, and web browsing wirelessly. One of your eyes will need to be replaced with a combo cam and viewing screen. Turn by turn directions scroll down the inside, stock quotes etc.

If you fail to pay your monthly fee, they can power you down remotely.
Vicky Duggins Jan 6, 2008, 12:12pm EST
I'm not addicted enough yet that I take one to the bathroom with me, but probably only because I hadn't thought of it before. We bought a laptop because I need to spend time in the evenings with my Mom in her part of the house, and I hated being away from the computer. So I think I'm at least in need of a 6 step program.

It's funny, when we go camping, I don't miss the pc or the tv because neither of those has ever been part of our camping experience. I'm always glad to get home and see what I've missed on the computer, and somewhat less, on the Tivo. I just have a couple of TV shows I am interested in that much. Right now I'm addicted to Gather, but I've also been addicted to IRC in the past.
Peter C. Frank Jan 6, 2008, 12:17pm EST
Bret, no way in hell I'll have anything Miro$oft installed. In fact, if I can get my old laptop back (with the external HDD), I'm going to use that to install Linux and start running that and get rid of M$ completely. I did that a few years ago when I had my last notebook computer, which also was stolen (I'm not having good luck with notebooks/laptops lately).

As for my addiction and letting my shrink/therapist know, they already do. And for now, they'd rather that I'm using the computer this much than isolating myself from everyone b/c of the depression. They actually see my computer addiction as a sign of improvement! LOL (well it's not really funny considering what I've been through but I do have to laugh at myself about the fact that consider my computer addiction an improvement).

And besides, there are many worse things out there that I could be addicted to. I could be like all my gay friends, who are addicted to sex (and I'm not just talking about the boys.....those lesbians are total sexaholics!!!!)
Peter C. Frank Jan 6, 2008, 12:18pm EST
Vicky, wow .... IRC ... I haven't used that since, like, 2001 or so. I was on it for ten years at that point. Wow, the memories!!!!

Oh, and Billy, yes, that's it exactly! I can't believe you know the films so well that you were able to figure out which flick I was watching from those few lines of dialogue! You really are a film buff, aren't ya? Terrif!!!! (grrrr, David!!!)
Heather W. Jan 6, 2008, 12:23pm EST
I thought I was addicted but now I feel much better, because I'm not nearly as addicted as you.
Peter C. Frank Jan 6, 2008, 12:25pm EST
Gee, thanks. :p
denise e Jan 6, 2008, 12:52pm EST
i think you really have it bad
CyberGwen ! Jan 6, 2008, 1:05pm EST
I can quit any time that I want.....I just don't want to!

I am almost that bad. I think how great it would to have a laptop, because then I could take a bath with it.. Well, not with it, but you get the idea!
CyberGwen ! Jan 6, 2008, 1:07pm EST
also, like you, it is really the only way that I contact people. I isolate too much and this is my little hold on the world.
Marie L. Jan 6, 2008, 3:05pm EST
LOL -- I think it's pretty bad if you take the laptop to the bathroom with you! That would have never occurred to me actually. So I guess I'm safe so far :-) I do spend a lot of time on-line -- or at least my husband thinks so but then he's busy watching the same movies repeatedly and reading the same books over and over -- so to each his/her own addiction -- grin.
Sharon M. Jan 6, 2008, 3:34pm EST
I have to admit that I'm a 'puter addict! There's just so much to do and learn from the internet! When I got my first computer it was about playing games and IMing people and going into chat rooms and stuff. Now it's filling out surveys and trying to make a little money online, particpating on sites such as this and playing around with web graphics with Paint Shop Pro. I prefer watching DVDs on the telly, though.

And yes, Billy is a film bluff... try watching a movie with him that he's seen a hundred times. He knows ALL the good lines lol
August Lady Jan 6, 2008, 5:12pm EST
Whoa, to your article & some of the comments! Agreed, if you're addicted, there are worse things to be addicted to. As far as your therapists approval, Mmmmm, I guess that's one issue I have with most "professionals" in the mental health field, they need more help than we do!!!
Peter C. Frank Jan 6, 2008, 5:34pm EST
OK here's the thing about taking my notebook into the bathroom with me. Some people take the newspaper, others take magazines, and yet others take books. Some people take nothing, but I've never been fond of that. What I read is on my computer, so it just makese sense for me to take the notebook in there when I have to go, as if I'm going to be reading anything it's going to be something on the computer.

But I do know that I'm pretty much lost without my computer, as it serves so many uses and fulfills so many different purposes for me. :)
JoAnn C. Jan 6, 2008, 7:05pm EST
I thought I was bad. I also thought taking the laptop into the bathroom was a little over the top, but you do make a good point about bringing a newspaper or a book, so why not?
haha!

I went through all these articles to locate you Peter and now have forgotten what I wanted to say.

Heavens to Murgatroid!
Olga M. Jan 6, 2008, 8:10pm EST
It's my incentive for getting out of bed in the morning. I eat only microwaved frozen meals in front of the screen. It is all I want to do and I simply can't get enough. Total peace and happiness when I am sitting and doing what I am right now.
Peter C. Frank Jan 6, 2008, 10:15pm EST
Oh my, please don't mention Murga-you-know-what. I thought we'd all but eradicted them during the last intergalaticstellarnational unarmament conflict!

So, you waded through all of which articles to find me????? :D
Peter C. Frank Jan 6, 2008, 11:37pm EST
Ah well I don't have two computers either; it's just that the friend I'm staying with at the moment also has a notebook and he wound up leaving it here in the apartment that I'm sitting for him while he went away for the weekend. :)

I'd play a movie in a window and do other things but it's a notebook and my screen is only WXGA resolution which I don't consider to be very large. It's just large enough so that I can Google's Desktop Sidebar running along the standard size window for a web browser without the sidebar taking up any real estate. I know I didn't explain that very well but I'm getting a little sleeepy....
Marianne R. Jan 6, 2008, 11:40pm EST
I have never taken my laptop into any other room but the family room. I have an older PC which I typically gather on and a newer laptop (well newer in comparison to this desktop) that I use sometimes simultaniously with this or when I travel.

When I am working, a lot of it revolves around being online. So, it's easy to pop in and out of Gather.
Ellen B. Jan 7, 2008, 3:26am EST
I can be a comp addict, but not THAT bad :)
I'm pretty solidly addicted, but I just take magazines to the loo. :-)
Karolyn Q. Jan 7, 2008, 1:11pm EST
I love the computer but I can't be an addict. I have to take care of my son too. I do love his nap times though!
David C. Jan 8, 2008, 3:19pm EST
I'm pretty addicted too. I have found, however, plenty of sites online that could help us with this addiction. ;-)
David F. Jan 8, 2008, 11:21pm EST
Well, I'm pretty addicted but since I don't have a laptop I just take crossword puzzles to the bathroom. They're terrif. ;-)
Peter C. Frank Jan 9, 2008, 8:30pm EST
David C and David F, you two are such a bad influence on me!
Sharon P. Jun 7, 2008, 7:38pm EDT
I think we are all addicted to some point.

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