Absentee Post

[Redwolf]

This is hard for me to write, but it is necessary.

I feel that lately, my sanity has been coming into question. I've been under so much stress lately with colleges, school, around the house stuff, a certain frightening e-mail, family, friends, homework, work, and other miscellaneous stuff it's a wonder I haven't hit a mental breakdown already. I feel that I've been spending unhealthy amounts of time on the computer as an 'easy escape' from all of this, when that's only making things worse. I'm very worried it's making things worse, and so you are now reading my last post for a while. It may be a few months before things get sorted out, it may only be a few weeks. Whatever it is, I *have* to get away from the computer and sort things out. There'sjust no way around it.

Tonight I'm pulling out my hard drives and drive cables, and putting them in a box. Then I'm putting that in my bedroom closet. The temptation is great to use the computer as an escape, so I won't allow that to myself. I'll use the other computers when I have to use a computer, like for projects or to buy something or whatever, but not for recreation. Certainly not.

I don't know if this is going to work or not, but God help me if it doesn't. At the rate I'm going, I'll be in the looney bin for sure.

So farewell, goodbye, so long for now. I'll be back some day, just not for a while. I hope you all have a happy time, I know I'll try.

Signing off...

[Whir]

You mean you don't want to end up like me? Shucks.


Good luck man. I've been where you are, it ain't easy. We'll be seeing you around sooner or later.

[Sweet]

It's ok!

Take all the time you need.... can be good to unplug!!!!!

Best Wishes for you! and remember, breathe deep, exhale, repeat......

[RedFury]

Wondering if I haven't hit that point myself Redwolf. I find myself not getting done around the house what needs to be done, using the computer as a mainstay of my daily diet and routine. I think simply making a conscience effort to be on it less is the first step. If I can do that with Cigarettes, I can do it with this.

I'm sure you'll pop by someday. Maybe we'll all be here, or maybe we'll all have left for the next generation of TIMOers. Who knows.

[chipbgt]

Been there, give it a few months you wont miss it at all.

[Knothead]

Yeah, seems like ANYTHING can be abused, and used in such a way as to mess up one's forward progress. Time is SO precious! I haven't been around much, as lately, my "analog" life has demanded so much immediate attention...

Sounds like Redwolf is in that place right now. Good thing he recognizes it; hats off to him, I say!

Looking forward to "seeing" him again, though. Best of luck, buddy!

[Redwolf]

Okay guys, I decided there isn't any harm in running the machine on weekends, and I need to be able to use it sometimes anyways. I'm back on for now, but Sunday night I'm disconnecting again. Hello!

Now I gotta figure out what all I missed

[sharder8]

Not much!

RayH is worried about the death sentence!
Chuckie's worried about getting drafted.
Chip wants to see how bad the GOP is beating the DNC in [FAD].
Whir is now unemployed and out partying.
Knot got caught up in [FAD].
Chuckie's also wondering if he should switch from UD to [FAD].
Artic Fox went into hiding after voicing sexual thoughts.
Rob's trying ta' get some sleep, now that the elections over.
Red Fury's still trying to figure out why he's in Minnesota . . . . and if he'll survive another winter.
Theo's still sulking over Kerry losing.
MTA, Mike, & Company joined Theo in sulking.

Nah, ya' haven't missed much.

Harder

[Redwolf]

What, someone got elected?

[Gilthanaz]

Redwolf, I definately understand your position and I've actually considered doing the same myself. However, I'm taking computer networking classes and I need my computer to tinker with for assignments. Also, my moms is intolerably slow, or mine is so fast that im spoiled, probably both. But i need it for essays and such too. Senior year is definately overrated. Being head of the school isn't that great, and theres so many new things coming to challange me. It is really hard to balance it all. I work from 4am to 7:30 before school. it's the only way I can still work and have time for school work and school related activities. Since I have to go to bed around 8, this pretty much eliminates free time on weekdays, and I haven't even started rowing season yet. The temptation to ignore my work and read through some threads on TIMO or play a couple rounds of UT 2k4 is tough, because I need some kind of fun or release. Hope you find a way to make it work out (and me too for that matter).