Thursday, February 23, 2012

Kicking Addiction by Going Cold (Angry) Turkey

I have just entered the last week of my adolescent development class and only have a few assignments left to do. They are the biggest assignments for the course, but I can't seem to concentrate and get them completed. I want to do my homework, but I can't. I blame Mark Zuckerberg's recent decision to partner with Rovio Games. Their partnership allowed Angry Birds to be included in the apps now available on Facebook.

The pigs stole 3 eggs.
You have sacrificed your entire flock.
Who is really the winner here?
I don't know how long it has been available to play, but I discovered it three days ago and installed it immediately. I had played it a few times on other people's phones, but since I don't have a smartphone, I hadn't really put any time into it. I knew how fun it was, so I had to have it. Since installing it three days ago, I have logged 63.7 hours of game play.

I have not been getting my homework done, getting enough sleep or eating properly. After playing for half the night, when I got up to take my daughter to school this morning I felt more guilt than Whitney Houston's pharmacist.

When I arrived back home I deleted the game and blocked the app from appearing on my Facebook in the future. I had to get this darkness out of my life. I always heard fun and addicting this game was and they were right. As soon as I hit my first pig, I was hooked. It only took one. One time and I belonged to that slingshot. I didn't even have to use it for a while for it to build up in my system. It was immediate.

This bird poops out an egg the same size as his body.
No wonder he is willing to kill himself.
On those occasions that I absolutely had to leave my computer, I couldn't stop thinking of ways to destroy that last pig or get more points on the levels that I only had 1 or 2 stars. When I went to sleep I heard pigs laughing at me and was haunted by the "WEEEEE" of overhead birds about to crash through my poorly constructed ice roof. That stupid song was continuously ringing in my ears. I couldn't get away from any of it, but also couldn't wait to score another hit.

Knowing that I couldn't do this alone, I called a friend who had successfully walked away a few months ago. When I told him what I had done, he was deeply empathic. He reminded me that he had warned me to stay away from it. I thought I was strong enough. I could dabble with it and not get hooked. It was just for fun and could put it down anytime I wanted to. Besides, all my friends were doing it. I should have known better.

He made me agree to call him if I began to feel tempted. I have done alright so far, but it is just the first day. I hear it gets harder about day three. I need to find a support group. Pray for me.

44 comments:

  1. I don't care for Angry birds simply because I know that I need to get 3 stars for every level or else I won't be satisfied.

    So I don't even bother. :P

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did the same. I ripped through the whole game pretty quickly, but then had to go back to try and get perfect scores.

      Delete
  2. Remember: It's not a true addiction unless you wind up smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee in a church basement, telling other people your name.

    Seriously, though, I went through an Angry Birds phase. It really helps if you have a smart phone so that you can play during otherwise downtime, like on the crapper, waiting for a meeting to start, driving... Let's you stay productive when you're supposed to be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Driving?...My daughter already gets on to me for checking my texts while driving. I don't mean to do it and I know I shouldn't, but I don't even think about it. My phone dings and I look at it.

      It would probably be more manageable on a phone. Being on Facebook, it's always there.

      Delete
    2. I was joking about driving. I drive a stick, so doing anything with my phone, even answering it, is foolish.

      Delete
    3. I got that it was a joke. I think I am stuck in sarcasm mode today.

      I haven't driven a stick since before I ever had a cell phone. I guess that would keep you from using one.

      Delete
  3. Lol... amazing that you could get that addicted to a game - I'm staying away from it! Sounds almost creepy... hope you manage to hold back the urge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Recovering alcoholics should not hang out in bars. In the same fashion, not having it on my Facebook, should keep the urges under control.

      Delete
  4. Weaned myself off in '11. No support group needed. Yet. haha

    ReplyDelete
  5. You poor dear. You have walked away just in time. People have died as a result of their addiction to video games, and while this is not a video game, you get my point. I understand you might be afraid, confused, angry. We are here support you. You will get through this. I speak with confidence and from experience. I was once addicted, too. It was a game called Sorority Life for Myspace. I thought I could talk about this, but I can't. It's best I get my sponsor on the phone.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is comforting to know there are people who understand. Thank you. I got hooked on Mafia Wars a few years ago. Eventually had to shut it down.

      I hope I haven't upset you too much by bringing up this painful topic.

      Delete
  6. I don't care for games. I've never been a fan. My son uses my husband's phone to play Angry Birds. I never EVER give up my phone. LOL I signed up for Words with Friends, b/c my husband wanted to prove he could beat me but after I pretty much never put a word back, he gave up.

    It may be a guy thing--the addiction to games. Idk. I've just never been a big fan. :) Glad to see you're kicking the habit. LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I sent you a Word with Friends request about a week ago. That pending game is still sitting in my sidebar.

      I like games and even own an XBOX, but probably play it less then 10 hours a month. I just don't play much. It's the little simple flash applications on the PC that hook me.

      Delete
  7. I'm attempting this myself, but my nephew keeps bringing me in. I recently bought him a version of 'the patch' (a building blocks angry birds game, instead of the digital version) in hopes of him not using my phone anymore...


    Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good luck with that. Other people's phones are always more fun.

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. It's easy to love. Maybe when I graduate we can meet again.

      Delete
  9. Found you via Crack you Whip...You're hilarious...please form a "ABA" Angry Birds Anonymous group. Probably would only make it a 3 step program. I don't think the attention span of that group would be too long.

    www.thecoffeeblogs.blogspot.com I just blogged about my nerdiness...although I have restrained from Angry bird action. I am now happy about that :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you. That award from Crack You Whip has driven a lot of traffic to my site.

      The 3 Step program due to lack of attention span is very funny. I wish I had thought of that.

      Delete
    2. IT's the Caffeine...keeps me thinking FAST! WATCH OUT!

      Delete
  10. ROFLMAO! You KNOW I empathize. ...but you had it worse than I do. Although I lost sleep, I have not whizzed through it and started back to get the 3-stars. I guess I'm not as addicted as I thought.

    ... All 8 chapters? Seriously? You made it all the way already? Then again, I never was good at video games.

    Not gonna wish you good luck at all. I'll sign on as your "enabler", instead. :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't think Facebook has the entire game. It does have 30 levels that are exclusive to Facebook, but some of the others are not on there.

      It was easy to get sucked in since I am basically a student and am home all day near my computer. I don't have to go to work, so I never get away from my laptop.

      If we are in the same vicinity, please don't let that theme song start playing on your phone. I would probably relapse.

      Delete
    2. ...isn't that would a good enabler would do?

      Delete
    3. Yes, it is. You may be my Angry Bird downfall.

      Delete
  11. Oh dear. Sounds like me and fruit leather.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had to Google fruit leather to see what it was. I assume you were referring to making it and not just eating it, but either way I'll bet it tasted better than Fruit Roll-Ups (which are pretty good).

      Making fruit leather wouldn't be a total waste. Unless you spend all your time making it and that 's what the family has to eat every night.

      "Mom, dehydrated kiwi banana cranberry spread again?"

      Delete
    2. Is this the same thing as Fruit Ninja? Because after Angry Birds it was all about Fruit Ninja

      Delete
  12. I have watch angry birds destroy the free time of my friends and have never played it.

    But mostly because I am too cheap to pay the 0.99c app for a smart phone.

    But facebook hey?

    ReplyDelete
  13. 63.7 hours? Brett you did the right thing.

    Remember the original Nintendo Super Mario Brothers song? Do-do-do, do-do, DO.

    I haven't played a video game in over 20 years, but I still remember that song. Cold turkey - it's the only way to go.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That was another haunting song.

      Thank you for your support.

      Delete
  14. Vesta needs to play Angry Birds. I'm not a big video game person either. I pretty much went from Super Mario Brothers to Angry Birds.

    Do you have an iPad. See if you can play it on the iPad and ever put it down.

    Actually it was cute because I played it in bed with my beau before we beat all levels three stars the seasonal versions of the game, and yes, there are Seasonal Angry Birds - and those games are harder and more addicting - anyway, I was good on strategy - he was good on acting out the strategy and that was how we won. It was kind of bonding.

    I successfully walked away but now that you're talking about it I might just...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I will probably play again in the future once I get a portable device that can play it. Then it will be great for passing time when I need to do it, but being that easily accessible on my laptop where I do my work was just too much of a temptation. (long sentence)

      Until then, I will just suffer the withdrawal.

      Delete
  15. Dude that sounds like a lot of time invested. But I understand. I spent a lot of time playing Tiny Wings.

    I wince as I say that, because I feel as if you are going to check that game out now, too.

    Don't.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Until I finish this class, I am not checking out any games. However, I will look it up when I am finished.

      Delete
  16. Wishing you luck! That's a hard habit to break.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maybe I should start smoking crack to take my mind off of it.

      Delete
  17. Let me know if you really find the cure.

    Since they added bubble island to google+ I have developed a problem. I only have three levels to complete the game, and they are fucking impossible.
    And yet I keep trying.

    I just hope that once I've done them..and I WILL do them, that it doesn't unlock another secret level.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My only hope was to block it from my computer. I am still at the jittery withdrawal stage. Once the headache goes away, I will let you know how it goes.

      Delete
  18. I tried to play Angry Birds once, but it made me...angry. Was that the point of the game? Because it was, then it worked.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It definitely does get frustrating at times, but I loved it and just couldn't get enough.

      Delete
  19. It helps if you let your kids play. They clear enough levels to get you toward the goal. When I got to the end of Angry Birds I felt completely let down, though. I wanted to get to the end, and then when I got there, I wanted it to go on forever. And Angry Birds Rio just doesn't cut it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have never seen Rio, but have heard the same from several people. I had Angry Birds on my Facebook account so they never saw it, but I will remember that if I ever put it on a smartphone.

      Delete

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