Addiction

Addiction--
–noun
the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.
(from dictionary.com)

The definition makes the word sound so terrible, like we would not want an addiction. Growing up I always knew that I had an addictive personality meaning that I could and would easily become addicted to stuff so I have tried my best to steer clear of 'bad' things, smoking, drugs, you know, bad stuff.

My mother warned about the bad stuff so I knew what to look for, back then in the 70's and 80's. Bring us to today and the 'new bad stuff', the things my mother NEVER warned me about. Facebook, Webkinz, Twitter, Blog, this list could go on and on. They all surround the computer and cyberspace. I fully embrace technology and all that it has to offer. =)

This can be a good thing or this can be a bad thing. Good--I am able to search out new trends in teaching and find better ways to reach my students. I am able to see where my students are and reach them at that place. Bad--I seem to never be far from my computer.

Now I do not feel that I am the only one to accept blame in my addiction. First I blame my parents, especially my mom. She did not warn me of the evils of cyberspace when I was growing up. Therefore, this addiction must be her fault. Second I blame my husband. He is the one that insisted we get wireless in the house so my lap top could be used anywhere, including the backyard. See, not my fault. (I'm sounding like my children and students laying blame on others. Wonder who I can blame that on?)

Facebook was a real blast when my friend told me to get on. She said it was a way to keep in touch. I guess I can blame her (I will call her T to protect her alleged innocence in this.) for my Facebook addiction. At first I looked up every person I had ever crossed paths with in my life. After exhausting that avenue I started taking quizzes. Then came FarmTown. In less than a week I am a level 9 farmer. Go me. I can blame that on Ellie Mae (someones FT name), if only she hadn't said how much fun it was in her status updates.

Webkinz, cute and cuddly little toys, similar to beanie babies (which we shall NOT discuss). How much fun, until you realize that if you adopt the pet of the month you get a goody bag and lots of stuff that only pet of the month adopters can get. For this I shall blame my good friend Cluck (again trying to protect the alleged innocent.). She bought me two sweet little toys, Petunia the lil Kinz pig and Happy the lil Kinz hippo. Currently I have 30 and they require daily care so they do not get sick. Oh my.

Twitter is fun and I can update on my phone as well as the web. There is no one to blame on this addiction. I opened my very own Twitter account and had my friends do the same.

Blogging is fun, not so much an addiction at this point but something I want to do. I do this for me and no one else. My friend T, the Facebook fiend (not a typo), has a funny blog and I love to read it. Last year in my summer class we had a blog so I had a taste of it then. My goal is to blog daily but that goal has already been broken since I did not blog yesterday, blame it on FB. I need to work on my writing skills so this is the best way to accomplish that desire. Hopefully in the next year or so I will write an article and have it published in a math magazine. Hmmm, what to write about for that?

I really am not addicted, but if I am addicted I will blame my mother. Thanks Mom.