Are You on that Computer, Again?
How many times have you heard that one? From your spouse, or (dare I confess) children? I mean, it’s not like I’m watching Soap Operas, or Oprah, or Dr. Phil all day (did the rounds for a season when my my boys were little) or talking on the phone all day long. I rarely talk on the phone at all! In fact, I prefer to email. It’s quicker and more efficient. There’s nothing more aggravating than playing phone tag, or listening to someone jabber away as you try and find a place to nicely cut them off.
So, I say what’s the big deal with this computer thing? It’s not like I’m doing anything illegal or inappropriate on the net, though I guess shopping amazon and ebay could border on addictive, but hey, at least I’m saving money on gas, and shipping on occasion!
Okay, I agree the computer has a black hole affect on me. I tell myself I’m just going to check email, then it sucks me in to updating my blogs and visiting other blogs and websites and checking email again, until I glance at the clock and it’s been three hours (in the afternoon while the kids are either still at school or busy vegging in front of the TV or doing homework.)
I admit, I’m not as bad as I used to be, I spend more time just playing with my kids, and cooking and doing laundry, but there’s always room for improvement. I find if I don’t get on in the morning I get more things done. As soon as I hit that on button, I’m a goner.
I’m learning to be more productive on the computer as well. I rarely visit the network community sites any more like Facebook (So if you’ve thrown a sheep at me, you’ll be waiting a while before I retaliate) or Shoutlife. Instead, I’m trying to write and edit more. Which is a good thing! Right?
But even that can get out of hand because when I write past 5:00 on my non-writing days, and hear the garage door open and there’s not food in the oven I know I better jump off the computer or I’m busted. And that feeling of getting “caught” makes me realize something is wrong and that I need to pull back, take a break and reevaluate how much time I really spend online!
