I Got The Itch

For some reason for the past few days I’ve had the gaming itch again. That’s what I call it when I start missing my MMORPG’s^* and feel like playing again. So many friends have been telling me about World of Warcraft and how great it is. I’ve been avoiding it because when I used to game a few years ago I got so deeply into it that it would affect my moods in rl^**. If something bad happened in the game, I’d be cranky when I walked away from the computer.. this was not good. I miss it though, as it was one of my favorite hobbies and something I truly enjoyed.

Only I wonder if I’d be able to keep it in moderation now if I were to start again. Mmorpg’s take up an obscene amount of time, it’s just the nature of the beast. I thought if I stopped gaming that I would spend less time behind the computer doing other things. While my online time doesn’t affect my mood as much as it used to, in all reality.. I’m still behind my computer an awful lot. The time I used to spend gaming has been replaced by chatting, working on my website or downloading torrents. The only difference is that my mood isn’t affected. I like to think that after all this time has passed that I’d be able to be less emotionally invested in a game now.

I will probably try it, and if it gets too intense or time consuming I will stop. I quit once, I can again..

Speaking of addictions.. my Reality TV fixes are becoming more and more frequent each week. I hear about a new R-TV show and I can’t help but check it out. There’s just something about it, the drama and intrigue. I can’t help it! I mean it coudl be worse, right? I could be watching soaps!

I’ve noticed a pattern as well, I guess every reality tv junky experiences this, but I am always picking favorites. Sometimes it stays the same, other times it changes from week to week. The worst is when I get more than one favorite, the anticipation is great then, especially if they have to compete about each other. Christ, I’m such a fanatic.

The Contender is the most recent addiction to my lineup. When I first saw it on one of my torrent sites I looked it up. I though, uhh.. Sly Stallone in reality TV show about boxing? Even I have my limits! I noticed that Sugar Ray Leonard was a part of it as well, which for some reason gave it a bit more validity, dunno why. I decided to watch it anyway. What can I say, I was bored. I was right about one thing, Sly Stallone is definately the most lame part of the show. The only reason they have him in it is for the star factor. If he wasn’t in it the show would be just as good (or better!) Otherwise, I was shocked really, it’s a much better show than you imagine it to be. The boxers are great, they each have their own unique background and attitude. Some are explosive while others are kind, some are sneaky and others are no holds barred. I don’t even like boxing and I watch those fights, wringing my fingers in excitement and saying “JAB! JAB!”

Alfonso Gomez is my guy. Not only do I totally dig the Spanish thing (I love when he fights because I get to hear him speak Spanish with his family) but he appears to be the strongest fighter with the most even temper. He’s really determined and I love that he doesn’t really get involved in all the nonsense some of the others do. He sits back and takes it all in, which is smart. Plus, he looks damn fine in that white suit of his that he got for reward. I really hope he wins, if not I certainly don’t look forward to seeing the fight where he loses. He’s already made it on to the final four, so I think his chances are great.

Survivor Palau has really started heating up. With all but one Ulong member voted off we finally had a merge! This is when it gets fun because people start working against each other rather than together. I have a few favorites, like Tom who I’m pretty sure is among the oldest left, but is definately one of the biggest threats. He’s so strong and stubborn, I can’t imagine anyone beating him if he comes down to the final two. I think he’s in serious danger of being voted out though. Everyone knows if they come up against him they can’t beat him. Then there’s Ian, I mean how could I not root for the lanky geeky guy! He’s just great, but I don’t think he’ll make it to the end. Although, it’s possible they will just overlook him and not see him as a threat and then he’ll whoop someone’s ass in the end. Far fetched though, that.

Stephanie is the one I’m really pulling for. She was the last survivor left from the Ulong tribe after a long row of tribal council. She went up against men who were stronger and more able than herself and she kicked their asses. In a tribe that habitually lost, she won every time by surviving each elimination. Now she has joined Koror and not only has she survived one tribal council with them, but one of the members quit to prevent her from being eliminated because the others think she’s too hard to beat. If anyone deserves to win this season, it’s her. Nobody wants it as badly as she does, everything we’ve witnessed from her thus far has shown it. If she gets voted off, the only reason will be because the others know they can’t beat her. It’s just as sad as it is likely to happen… very. She’s clever though, I’m thinking she’ll probably claw her way through.

The Amazing Race is another one that gets your blood pumping. Couples race all over the world with hardly any money to their name, completing task after task trying to win a million dollars. Each leg of the race takes them to a different country, and at the end of each episode they have to get to a pit stop. The last couple to get to the pit stop is eliminated. They fight, scramble and decieve to try to get ahead of the other teams while totally being at the mercy of slow moving taxi drivers, flight schedules and any number of other things. It’s really exciting!

Speaking of Survivor, one of the Amazing Race teams this season are former winners Rob and Amber of Survivor All Stars. The last two left on the Island, Rob proposed to Amber before the decision was read. Engaged and a million dollars richer, they are now one of the teams running the Amazing Race. When I first saw them I couldn’t stand them. Rob was so arrogant and cocky I thought I was going to scream, I totally understood why the other teams were complaining and making it their mission to see that this couple didn’t win. Now, 10 weeks into the race I can’t help but to cheer them on. Rob is not only cocky but he is extremely quick thinking and he never loses sight of his goal. There’s a reasn these two won Survivor and I’m guessing it will be the same thing that will bring them to the end of The Amazing Race as well.

…. and you thought I was kidding when I said I was a junkie.

^* Massive Multiplayer Online Roleplaying Game
^** Real Life.