The Blog Keeper Is In
Friends want to know where I’ve been. It’s hard to explain. It’s like I opened a new business with my writing, and my blog is the storefront. As a poet and writer, I’m used to doing what I love without it resulting in any income to speak of. I did have a couple of new book sales this week, though. My blog links to my web page, which is a contact place for my books. And my web page links to my blog. Shall we call it a franchise of sorts?
My husband, who is a counselor, says that computer addiction is a new emerging disorder. For some reason, he wanted me to know the danger signs, so he showed me a list of symptoms, which include:
1. Being dishonest or minimizing the extent of the time you stay on the computer.
2. Spending more time than you intended on it.
3. Feeling of depression or anxiety when something or someone shortens your time or interrupts your plans to use the computer.
4. Having a preoccupation with the computer and computer activities when you are not using the computer (thinking about the computer and its activities when doing something else).
“Yeah, I’m probably addicted…but I want to be!” I protested to my husband and then went on to explain, “Some people have a workshop or a studio. For a writer, a blog is like that. And if you have a shop, you have to put in a few hours a day shop keeping; don’t you?”
My husband is actually very supportive of my writing and all that is involved with it. But, when he hears me walking up the stairs to the computer room, I want him to be thinking…She’s off to work…great…what a dedicated worker she is…and not…She’s addicted to the computer. Is there a treatment center for that?
After shocking myself by actually posting a photo for the first time yesterday morning, and then typing today’s entry out, I came up with another symptom to add to the above list, when I realized I had forgotten to eat breakfast. So…#5 is: Forgetting to eat.
Do you have any internet addiction symptoms of your own?
Here’s a less serious list of signs to watch out for.
March 30th, 2005 8:48 am
Hi Col,
I read The Signs Of Addiction years ago…when I first became addicted.
Forgetting to eat? My guess is you’ll get over that one when you discover how good a quick peanut butter & jelly can taste while you read your email. Watch the jelly on the keys though.
Kathy, AKA Ben
March 30th, 2005 9:00 am
I’ve always loved the virtual world, tv, movies, computer and video games, as well as reading whatever I can get my hands on. I have to physically limit myself or I’ll be here all day! My kids leave me alone for an hour in the morning and breakfast is my blogging time. Then for a bit before bed. So I guess I don’t forget to eat…but that’s about it! Off to check out your website ;0) Have a good day!
March 30th, 2005 10:40 am
Colleen:
You might want to check out this piece I wrote last year about Internet Addiction Disorder (yes, they have named it):
http://www.dcdarkside.com/graveyard/jan16_04.htm
March 30th, 2005 10:53 am
No Addiction Here! I only spend about 9 or 10 hrs in front of the computer each day. That’s not too bad….. right?
March 30th, 2005 10:12 pm
I used to be addicted to the computer, but it ebs and flows now. I would have withdrawls though if there wasn’t one around for any length of time…oh say…1/2 a day or so.
Thank you for visiting via Michele today!
March 30th, 2005 10:47 pm
Quick Question: did you remember to eat today?
Oh I am not addicted. I spend exactly the perfect amount of time on the computer…which changes daily depending on my mood.
At this very moment I am in the mood to say, “Hello, Michele sent me.” Yes, Colleen, TAG you are it!
March 30th, 2005 11:10 pm
When I go away on vacation, I can go weeks (well maybe just one) without a computer, so I guess I’m okay. And after reading what Doug wrote (via the link he sent) I know I’m okay. Nothing like that going on here….just a little teasing…you know mostly because it’s so unlike me…the lowest low tech person I know. I don’t even like cars with electric windows!
March 30th, 2005 11:10 pm
Hello, Colleen.
Very nice blog…Michele sent me today.
😉
March 30th, 2005 11:19 pm
I’m always happy when Michele tags a blog I already read. So Michele sent me, but I would have been here anyway!
I actually earn my living sitting at the keyboard in a home office, and it is very challenging on those days that I don’t want to work, but I do want to skip through the blogosphere. I don’t always meet that challenge as well as I’d like.
March 30th, 2005 11:20 pm
Hi Collene – Michele sent me! Great blog you’ve got here. On the topic of internet addiction, I think the time I spend is just right. And, I try have a free day away from the computer at least once a week.
March 30th, 2005 11:22 pm
hello. Michele Sent Me 🙂
March 30th, 2005 11:30 pm
Hello, Michelle sent me!
And I must say your site is incredible.
Your Jim and Dan Stories are something I have added to my book list (when I get a break from college textbooks).
best to you!
March 30th, 2005 11:38 pm
Hello Colleen!
Are those know-it-all listmakers trying to imply that checking one’s e-mail to and from the bathroom in the middle of the night is abnormal? Clearly someone needs to be treated for something, but it certainly isn’t me.
Michele sent me 🙂
March 30th, 2005 11:50 pm
Hi. Michelle sent me. I like your blog.
I have the exact same attitude toward my blog addiction–I am doing something creative, I am writing, so it’s a good thing. Hey, I am watching much less television.
So put that down as a symptom: forgettng to watch television.
March 30th, 2005 11:53 pm
Ah, I used to be an online “chatter” where I met a lot of truly intelligent, articulate people. It became a bit consuming and I didn’t see the signs.
Fortunately, I ended my “affair” with being online so much several years ago and life is in a much better perspective.
Michele sent me and I am glad she did!
March 31st, 2005 12:05 am
I wish I would forget to eat while I’m on this thing. Not happening though. 🙂
Hello, Michele sent me.
March 31st, 2005 12:22 am
Hello, Colleen, Michele sent me, and YES, I am addicted – to Blogs! Several years ago, my son printed a batch of T-shirts with a cute logo and the words “E-Addicted”. At the time, he could barely give them away, but I’ll bet I could resurrect them for Bloggers, huh?
March 31st, 2005 2:55 am
Hello, Michele sent me. Internet addiction symptoms: well, if I don’t write three posts per week I twitch and gibber, and if I don’t visit many blogs in a day I become surly and uncommunicative!
March 31st, 2005 5:02 am
hi nice blog!
Michele sent me!
I’ll be back (I am a quiet visitor usually though, so i might be hanging about invisibly, without commenting… shy me..)
March 31st, 2005 5:41 am
Hi, Michele sent me!
I am definitely computer addicted. I LOVE blogging soooo much though and have met heaps of really, cool interesting people through it, so I can’t say it’s a bad addiction….except when I ignore my family.
March 31st, 2005 6:55 am
Hi Colleen! Michele sent me!
If you’re going to be computer addicted, it might as well be because of a blog as nice as yours. Good work! I’ll be back.
March 31st, 2005 7:14 am
Hi Colleen, Michele says Ola!
I’m at the office and my first action when I crack open the eyes is to get some coffee, breaky and sit down in the quiet house with the laptop at 5:30 am and post some pictures on the blog, surf other blogs and check the forums I frequent. Now if that aint addiction the I dunno what is! Glad that you have a supportive mate though! 🙂
Lovely blog by the way and I will be back.
Cheers.
P.
March 31st, 2005 7:15 am
Hi, Colleen, Michele sent me this time but now that I’ve discovered your blog, I’ll be back all on my own.
Addicted to my computer? Hey, I can quit any time I want to. Any time, do you hear me? I can quit any time I want to.
Problem is, I don’t want to.
My name is Mamacita and I am a blogaholic. Sigh.
March 31st, 2005 7:40 am
Good morning!
Michele sent me, and I’m glad she did…it’s always a pleasure to run across great writing. 🙂
March 31st, 2005 7:42 am
Hello Michele sent me nice blog!
March 31st, 2005 8:28 am
I love your site! Michele sent me but I’m certainly coming back.
March 31st, 2005 2:51 pm
Hello Michele sent me. I admit I addicted to the computer that is the first step right? O-kay that is all I need to do then Is just admit it. I’ve got a problem and I like your site….you have a great blog.
March 31st, 2005 7:35 pm
Blogging Question
Colleen, in her post The Blog Keeper Is In, admits that she might be addicted to the internet in general and blogging in specific. Many bloggers have felt this, yet, I really wish to know the flip side of this….
March 31st, 2005 9:13 pm
Uh oh. That list hits uncomfortably close to home.
And BTW, hello, Michele sent me!
April 1st, 2005 1:25 pm
Well I certainly am not addicted. I only track 64 blogs daily, including this one. And I eat, too, but don’t remember a particular instance, now that I think of it.
April 3rd, 2005 12:59 pm
I’m glad you mentioned some of the recent posts, during your visit and I did find them very interesting. I liked the link to the less serious list quite a bit too:) Keep up the great work!
April 3rd, 2005 5:56 pm
I can so relate to this Post. I actually even prolong going to the bathroom. I know, too much information. But I actually do the “potty dance” at my desk, and then I pee a gallon of water. heehee. Well, you asked. I found your site through Michele. Nice to meet you.
February 27th, 2009 12:16 pm
hi colleen. i got interested in your recent posts so i thought of checking the older ones. this one’s nice. 🙂
and to answer your question, yes, i’m somehow addicted to the internet. i’ve had this addiction since i started blogging and it’s getting worse now that i’ve moved to blogger. 🙂