OA (OT.comoholics Anonymous) for darth_ender AKA darth_ender's self-imposed rules for managing his time

Hello, my name is darth_ender and I'm an OT.comoholic.  I've been addicted to OT.com for about 6 months now.  At first I was a recreational user, but lately I find I can't get enough.  There are times where I have numerous responsibilities to attend to, and I instead find myself turning to this site.  I am powerless over OT.com.

I don't mean to be disrespectful towards anyone working through their own addictions (believe me, I've worked with many going through this).  While making a joke, I do feel I spend far too much time here and make unwise decisions with my time.  I am a nursing student in an intense program, a part-time employee, a husband, a father, a teacher at church, and a nerd.  Unfortunately, in order to balance out all these aspects of my life, I need to reduce my involvement in all nerdy things.

I find that the times I am most addicted to OT.com are when I begin to make comments, particularly in the sections where I'm most interested or passionate (things related to religion and politics).  If I simply come to check in for a few minutes, I can get back to work with little difficulty.  Therefore, in order to break the chain I have to reduce my commenting drastically.

So what I'm going to ask for is a little INTERVENTION.  If you feel any inclination to support me (yes, I know I'm not the most popular guy here, and I'm not trying to be the center of attention, I'm just asking for help from those who want to), I need you to help me obey these rules that I am laying down for myself.

darth_ender's rules:
1) On Mondays through Fridays, darth_ender will post no more than 3 times a day.  Therefore, if he wishes to comment, he must choose his posts carefully.
2) Darth_ender must number his posts each day.  Nothing too obvious or distracting.  Just a 1, 2, or 3 at the beginning of the post.
3) If you find darth_ender posting a number 1, 2 or 3 more than once for the day, call him out on it.  If he posts a fourth post, tell him to get off the Internet and spend time on work, school, family, or church.  Then ignore him for the rest of the day.
4) On weekends, no numbering is necessary.  However, darth_ender still has responsibilities to take care of, so if you think he's been on long enough, a friendly reminder that he has a social life beyond a bunch of electronic avatars and that he should go focus on what's important.

Thanks for your help, guys.  I know this is silly, but it should keep me better focused.

The important rule to remember regarding darth_ender's posting:
"Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three (okay, there will probably be days with zero, one, or two posts, but still...). Five is right out! Once the number three, being the third number, be reached, then shalt darth_ender sign off of originaltrilogy.com, not to return to that wicked site, till the Lord cometh, or until tomorrow, whichever cometh first.  Amen."

:p

In all seriousness, I have enough problems limiting my own time here to pay attention to your time too.

Mr T Says :

• Don’t Be Self Judgmental
  It’s going to be hard to find time for anything else or of any meaningful use, but try not to be self judgmental about this.
• Discuss the Benefits of Balanced OT.COM use 
  Let your friends. family and fellow workers know there has to be give and take in any relationship and if they aren't happy being sucked into a world of pointless single word threads and animated GIFs remind them they have other options.
• Set Limits on the Cell Phone and Internet 
  It limits your bandwidth if outsiders are using the internet too and it is difficult read posts when people are talking on the telephone it's best they take up other activities
• Suggest and Support Activities with a Variety of Friends
  If you have to include others in your new obsession make a game of it. For example why not ask a group of friends to try and suggest some 'mix up move' quotes or try to figure out if Bingo is joking or not?
• Help and Support Your Family to Maintain your OT.COM use
  Suggest that your child, partner or spouse find a sport he or she likes to play or another activity like drama, art or volunteering. It is important to avoid letting others get in the way.
• BUT IF THOSE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE GOING BEHIND MY HOUSE AND LEAVING SOILED LEISUREWEAR NEAR MY BINS THEN I SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES. 

 

 

I spend too much time here when I'm at home.

But I also have a life and good grades so it's okay.

2. It's fun to confess at OA , isn't it, Zig?  Thanks for the support, Bingo.  You're dragging me in deeper!  And Frink, this really requires no more effort than you already give out.  Just harass me like you do every day to everyone.  I'm just giving an excuse.  In all seriousness, little enforcement should be needed.  There is a psychological principle, though the name of it escapes me, where an individual puts out his intentions or opinions, and once out in the public's awareness, he is more likely to stick to that principle.  Think of politicians.  We call them flip-floppers if they change their mind on anything, but how often do we little people change our minds?  It's because we don't have the social pressure to stick to our guns.  But now that I've made you all aware of my plan, I'm more likely to follow through.  Also bear in mind that this is simply good fun to help keep me on task.

Especially if your addictive habits extend to other areas of life (like, other forums), there is professional help for internet addiction.

Might be a bit more effective than a bunch of fellow forum members remembering your good intentions and saying "hey, darth, you wanted to keep down your post count, remember LOL!" before posting a funny gif.

You should turn your light bulb on so we know if you are "here".

DoubleKO, (I think it was you, I remember it was one of the Lego avatar guys), you've kept good tabs on me.  Thanks for the constant harassment, even if I could not respond because I was conserving my posts or already out.

I think the time has come to further limit my activities here.  I think I cannot come to this site except on weekends.  This is very hard for me, but things are cranking up in intensity in the nursing program.  If you guys see me posting any day but on a weekend, tell me to go away, or simply don't respond.  I've got to focus more and more.  I love writing and posting and conversing, but I must tend to these important duties.  Thanks for your friendship, and hopefully this ain't the game ender for darth_ender.

Are you going to have some time off any time soon?

Probably not till Christmas time.  Things are just getting more and more intense, and I find myself neglectful of what I need to be doing.  It's hard.

:-(

Don't turn into another Sluggo.

;-)

Hey, I've enjoyed our conversations.  You're a bright feller and had the best McDonald's sign.  I'll try to remain a participant, but for my own self-discipline, it will have to be only on weekends.  Thanks for the kind words, Zig.

It's been nice talking to you too. You are a pretty cool guy.

darth_ender said:

1. DoubleKO, (I think it was you, I remember it was one of the Lego avatar guys), you've kept good tabs on me.  Thanks for the constant harassment, even if I could not respond because I was conserving my posts or already out.

I think the time has come to further limit my activities here.  I think I cannot come to this site except on weekends.  This is very hard for me, but things are cranking up in intensity in the nursing program.  If you guys see me posting any day but on a weekend, tell me to go away, or simply don't respond.  I've got to focus more and more.  I love writing and posting and conversing, but I must tend to these important duties.  Thanks for your friendship, and hopefully this ain't the game ender for darth_ender.

darth_ender said:

2. Probably not till Christmas time.  Things are just getting more and more intense, and I find myself neglectful of what I need to be doing.  It's hard.

darth_ender said:

3. Hey, I've enjoyed our conversations.  You're a bright feller and had the best McDonald's sign.  I'll try to remain a participant, but for my own self-discipline, it will have to be only on weekends.  Thanks for the kind words, Zig.

Fixed.

It will be my one and only goal to hunt every post you make day by day, every day, to see if you're complying with your pledge.

Or not.

You said it, this is really silly, but hey if it works for ya! ;)

That looks pretty cool.  I'll have to give it a go.  Maybe it will help.  Thanks for the suggestion.

For those who care (which I know, I understand, are not many of you, but it's easier for me when I make announcements), I'm using my time better lately, so I think I will disregard these rules for the time being.  If I find myself becoming too hooked again, I will announce it here and annoy everyone who doesn't care.  Seriously, I don't care if you like this or not--there is a psychological benefit to announcing something publicly.  If you don't care, don't respond.  I already know most of you don't.

darth_ender said:

If I find myself becoming too hooked again, I will announce it here and annoy everyone who doesn't care.  Seriously, I don't care if you like this or not--there is a psychological benefit to announcing something publicly.  If you don't care, don't respond.  I already know most of you don't.

I don't care but also I don't care, so it won't annoy me. ;-)

Seriously, I get the public announcement thing - see my pledge thread.

But not enough to read the Politics thread.

:)

You're missing out.

I read it, but so infrequently that I'm too far behind to become involved ;)

BTW your new avatar is way better than the last one.

Thanks :)  I wanted something tougher looking, but it's still Ender.

David Bowie, Secret of NIMH, Chuck, and Ender's Game seem to be more popular on here than Star Wars sometimes!