Gather Catch Up - How do you do it?

My gather-time seems to come in binges.  There was a time when I was a complete point whore.  It wasn't just gather....it was the computer.  I seriously worried that I was becoming an internet addict.  I knew I was in trouble when I started actually thinking of "Laptop Guy" as my best friend.  I know you're wondering if I'm kidding here...  I'm kind of kidding, but kind of serious.  I was spending WAY too much time on the computer.

Part, in thanks to Laptop Guy dying (sad...but a blessing...he was getting very slow in his old age) and a concerted effort on my part to spend less time on the computer, I've gotten a little handle on it.

I do try to check in now and then, and when I do, I can spend hours and hours reading posts and trying to catch up with the connections that have been generous enough to pay attention to my ramblings.  I don't know how those of you that are frequent gatherers are able to do it?  Isn't it time-consuming?  How do you manage to keep up with all the connections?

This morning it's snowing here in the Boulder area so I decided against plowing through it.  Instead, I fixed myself some hot chocolate and enjoyed a morning of gather catchup.  But now, I must get to my online Christmas shopping and my long list of todos before the work week starts again.

I just wondered if those of you that are able to keep up with it have any secrets?  Do you worry about spending too much time online?