Thursday, October 04, 2007

I'm a Computer Addict

They say the first step is admitting you have a problem.

But somehow I don't think doing that much is anywhere near finding a solution. I discovered just how intensely I needed the computer when I couldn't get onto it.

Today after getting hubby and the three oldest out the door, I had a few minutes to fold a load of laundry, get another load going, take a shower (and wash my hair--darn it, I should have done that yesterday; I could have used the time I spent drying it) before getting my preschooler into the bath, dressed, and into the car for a dentist appointment.

While there, I (of course) pulled out my Neo, knowing that this might be the one and only shot I'd get to write today. 45 minutes later, she came out smiling (impressive, since she got some baby cavities filled), and I tucked away the keyboard.

I threw a granola bar and a baggie of fruit snacks at her so she could eat on the way to her buddy's house, where I dropped her off in time to jet over to the Alpine Country Club for the Seagull Book manager's meeting and (YES!) lunch.

The meal was divine, possibly made even better than it would have been by the fact that I was starving (my breakfast having consisted of a pumpkin chocolate chip cookie . . .).

Following lunch, during which time I chatted with store managers and met a talented artist, we retired to the next room, where I got to speak to the managers, helping them get to know me, my work, and especially anything that might help them promote Spires of Stone to their customers.

It's the one and only time my Best of State medal has left my house since I won it; I thought it would be fun to show, since some people have wondered what that consisted of. Yes, it's an actual Olympic-style gold medal. Pretty snarky. It's been neat to hear managers and store employees say that knowing an author has won an award makes customers more willing to give them (me!) a try.

I wish I could have stuck around and heard the other authors, among them my good friend H. B. Moore, Stephanie Fowers, and Sariah Wilson (who I noticed sitting behind me but didn't get a good chance to actually say hi to--HI SARIAH!--since we've never officially met).

After speaking, I rushed back to the car, picked up my cutie preschooler, and hurried to our next stop: the elementary school, for parent-teacher conferences. The great news is that they were both short and to the point: my girls are performing above grade level and are behave like model students. The only complaint? One teacher suggested my 5th grader speak louder. (Not the most common "goal" made at these meetings; usually aren't they, "Please be quieter"?)

Again, we jetted from there to the next place: the junior high, where my poor son had to wait for me to get him since I had been waylaid at the elementary school.

After getting people settled with homework and piano practicing, I practially RAN to the computer. I turned it on, tapping my foot impatiently for it to boot up. I don't know the last time I got to the computer this late in the day. I could practically feel DT's coming on as the email program loaded and for a dreaded second seemed to freeze. (The humanity!)

But I didn't have much time on said computer. I managed to check a few emails and print out what I would be taking to critique group tonight before I had to be Taxi Mom again and run DD10 to orchestra practice. After a few minutes at home transferring the scene I wrote at the dentist's office to the computer and pasting it where it belonged (and updating my word count on the sidebar with the challenge there), I had to pick up said daughter from orchestra.

Now I'm writing this, but I really should be cleaning up the kitchen and making dinner, because my critique group will be descending on the house in hour--and trust me, the kitchen isn't a pretty sight right now.

So why in the world did I feel compelled to spit all this onto the screen this very second? I'm strapped for time, I have lots to do--and GUESTS coming over.

Simple. I'm an addict.

Gotta blog. Gotta e-mail. Gotta write.

Maybe tomorrow I'll get around to vacuuming upstairs like I had hoped to do today . . .

AFTER I get my computer fix.

11 comments:

Josi said...

Hi, my name is Josi and I'm a computer addict

(Hi, Josi)

It all started when I joined this group LDStorymakers. it wasn't my fault, they were only an online group at the time. I learned how to manage a yahoo group, e-mail, change settings, and it's just spiraled from there. My hands shake when I go too long without it, I break out in a sweat when the internet goes down and sometimes . . .

Tamra Norton said...

Well, I'm not an addict! I just have a lot of friends...on the other side of the computer screen. At least I think that's where they are. They talk to me all the way down here in hot, muggy, Houston and they make me feel like I'm an almost-normal person. They understand this crazy world of creating stories I live in.

I'm not an addict. I'm a computer social butterfly.

Jen said...

Yes, but I think if it weren't the computer it would be the typewriter and if not that, then the pad and pencil. The need to write is a driving force. As long as you're not pulling out the Neo WHILE driving, lol.

Luisa Perkins said...

Hi, I'm Luisa. Thanks for the warm welcome. Guess what I'm doing during my 15-minute OSHA break from cleaning the upstairs? Yup. Reading blogs. Oops, timer. Back to the entropy. See you in 45.

Anna Maria Junus said...

I am not an addict. Sure the house is a mess and my children have forgotten what a real dinner looks like. And I don't read books as much as I used to. But the computer doesn't affect my life at all. I can handle it. I can go cold turkey, but I don't want to. I am not an addict.

Unknown said...

Who me? Addicted? Naaah! Well, half naaaah. Quarter?

Coming from an age when the computer didn't exist, I find it a beautiful thing. Communicating is the essence of a full life.

Actually, while away for the previous two weeks, my hubby asked if I was having withdrawal symptoms as we couldn't get his laptop to work most days. And to be honest, it didn't bother me--much. No, seriously, it was quite refreshing to have a break.

So that means I'm definitely not addicted--right?

An Ordinary Mom said...

Yeah, I need my daily computer fix, too. However, it is amazing how much more I get done when I don't turn the computer on during the day!

And my daughter also has the same problem at school, she needs to learn to speak a little louder :) !!

Janette Rallison said...

Who needs a clean house when you could be reading my blog instead?

Unknown said...

Whew - I'm tired now. I think I need a nap -- shoot, Annette. With a day like that it's a miracle you can still think to write!

Tristi Pinkston said...

If you're starting a support group you'd better sign me up. I don't even know what my kids are doing right now.

Anonymous said...

hi, my name is kathleen and i am also a computer addict.

thanks for stopping by my blog the other day :)

i felt tired just reading this post girl! hope your day is great, kathleen :)

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