Facebook Game Addiction

Hello Friends,

I think I got on Facebook sometime in October 2010.  I know… I was late.  It was so cool reconnecting with family, old friends, coworkers and it was all good.  Then… dun, dun, dun… I started playing Farmville.  It seems like I have been on Facebook a lot longer than I have and perhaps that is because of spending every waking hour online.  Facebook launched my game addiction (of extremely lame games) as well as leading me to other huge time wasters like following blogs, news sources and whatever catches my eye.  What started out as a great means of communication to my friends who live across the country, turned into a full blown addiction.  Because of having to keep tabs on everything on Facebook all the time, I don’t even have time to communicate with my real friends anymore which was why I was on here in the first place!

I quit my job near the end of November and then I was able to step up my online activities.  When I realized that I had no time to get anything done and that these Facebook games were seriously becoming a problem, I attempted to slow down by quitting 4 of them (Pop Sugar’s Retail Therapy, Zoo World, Frontierville and Petville).  I was still playing Farmville, Café World, Disco Empire and I added Baking Life and Fishville later.

I am trying to find a job and start my own business which keeps me online a lot.  Lately, it seems that I will come to the computer on the right track ready to get some work done… but I will end up harvesting crops or baking something.  The only change I made in Facebook gaming was to add back one of the games I had quit (Pop Sugar’s Retail Therapy) and to add two new ones (CityVille and Baking Life).  Cityville is a new one Zengya just came out with, so you can hardly blame me for trying that one. 

This reminds me of when I first discovered Quake, Dungeon Keeper and the Sims.  You couldn’t tear me away from the Sims even to eat or go to the bathroom.  But, at least that is a really super cool awesome game.  These dumb games on Facebook are pathetic in comparison.  So, I have known all along that I was wasting mass quantities of time.  But there are two ways that I have really crossed the line.  The first is… I swore to myself that I would never spend a dime of real money on the games… and I did… only $10… but I did.  The second way I crossed the line was by visiting the game application pages to find friends to be neighbors in the games.  I even posted on one of them to “add me”.

Before I started adding game friends, all the friends I had were people I really knew in real life.  Now, I have a dozen more who I don’t even know.  That’s kind of like using a cheat code in a real game.

This blog was going to be on a way different topic.  The reason it turned into this topic is because I have not had time to post every day like I intended to do when I started blogging and it’s all because of Facebook!

Now, the question is what am I going to do about it?  I thought about quitting Facebook altogether but decided against that.  Facebook is awesome, it’s mostly the games that are all consuming and robbing my time.  So, I am going to quit all the games as a New Year’s resolution.  And as soon as I get done posting this, I am going to block all my game applications except for Farmville, Cityville and Café World.  I am also going to remove the friends I acquired for the other games who I don’t really know in rl.  I feel kind of bad about that, but I have to do something.  Then come New Year’s Day, I will block the final 3.

It’s kind of sad, but I have a schedule and things that need to get done.  I’ll keep you posted and I should be posting daily now that I freed up some time.
 ;-p

Rainy day in the desert

This is the most magnificent rainy day in the desert ever!  We don’t have many days like this.  It’s mid-afternoon and overcast and all gray.  My mother is taking an afternoon nap which sounds like an awesome idea and I would do the same, but I just woke up…lol.

I have chicken baking in the oven.  I used the recipe on the back of the Bisquick box that my grandma recommended to me.  This is the second time I am making this, with the drop biscuits… it’s really, really good.

I am sitting here at the computer typing this, looking out the window at the grayness, holding my itty-bitty, black-beauty cutie Rowland dawg on my lap and smelling the chicken baking.  It doesn’t get any better than this.



This is Rowland in his jacket that says "WOOF" on it.



I woke up to another twenty-four and I can do anything I want.  I have no obligations.  So, I am going to shape this day into something I can look back on and be happy about my choices.

I am still not sure how to shape up this blog, but… welcome to my world.  Categories I will be blogging on will include:  Motivation, Inspiration, Health, Happiness, my new business ventures, Organizing, Starting Over and My Journal, so stay tuned friends.  Anyone with information how to put categories on a blog and willing to share that information, please email me @ kimberly-king@live.com or comment on this blog.



Blah blah blog

Writing this blog is not supposed to be a chore.  It’s supposed to be fun and it’s something I want to do every day.  When I first started it, it was going to be about starting life all over and feature all things motivational and inspirational… still a good idea.  Then it started changing into somewhat of a journal, which is boring, even to me.  But, since I am the only reader, I am the only one here to please.  Then, it kind of was migrating to be about starting my new business.  And now it’s just a confusing piece of bits adding to the daily slew of posts clogging up the internet.  So, until I figure out what corner of the internet I am going to inhabit, if you happened across this blog, I am apologizing in advance.

I don’t want to just write for myself or obviously, I would just write on paper or keep my writing in my computer.  So, why am I doing this and what is it I want to say?

When I started this, I was completely unfamiliar with blogging even though it has been around for more than a decade and I wanted to learn about it.  The easiest way to learn about it is to do it.  I wanted a place to write that my friends could access and where I could get feedback on all kinds of things.  I want to share the best information that I have on a variety of topics and I want to have fun.

See, now that I forced myself to put into words what I am trying to do, I have a clearer picture of everything in my head.  Journaling does help bring clarity.  With that said, maybe tomorrow will bring more focus and some kind of organization to this little blog.  I do not want it to die a slow painful death.  I love it.  Until tomorrow.

This is starting to be fun

OK, this is starting to be fun now.  I am making some headway with starting my business.  I am pretty sure I have a logo, tagline, business card and first flyer.  They all still need some minor tweeking, but I think they're good enough to try to get some work with.  I edited my blog header so it isn't so plain.  I added the bullet points on the right side.
It's 3:20 am and I am really on some weird kind of schedule, but I have to do things when the mood strikes me.  I am going to do a little work on my website then call it a night.  TTL

Added a header

I only got a few hours sleep and am running on fumes, but I think I decided on a logo and tag line for my business.  I tried to edit it and put it at the top of this blog, so I will get to see if it worked when I click 'publish'.  Maybe tonight I will be able to get some sleep.  I think I accomplished something, but still no schedule. 
Tomorrow, I will make business cards, a flyer and a really good blog for you.  I see that I also have to work on this blog header.  While it looks good for a logo... it's a little plain for 828 pixels wide.  And, btw, "Your Suite Assistant" is refering to MS Office Suite.  It's a play on words.  See what I did there? 'sweet' lmao

Added a signature

I know that this is very, very lame, but I am really, really tired and don't have time to do anything else.  My only goal before bed was to put an automatic signature at the end of my blog... and I did that, see?  Besides, I am the only one who reads this anyway, so who cares?
It is exactly 4:20am and I am still up and online.  I am working on my business plan and there is just so much stuff to read on the internet, that I am going to just stop now and just try to accomplish something tomorrow without researching it to the nth degree first.  That seems to be a big downfall.  So, tomorrow's plan will be to come up with some kind of schedule (which I think was also today's plan, but it didn't happen) and to come up with a logo and tagline for my business.
I want to get back to blogging daily and bought the book pictured to the left (or above, or wherever blogger put it).  Lol, it seems like a good read so far, but I don't really have time to read it, with being on the internet so much.  Ta ta.

Not Giving Up

I have not given up just yet.  I guess I just took a break from blogging.  When you want to change absolutely everything about yourself (and in my case... AGAIN), it takes some time, a plan, strategy, etc...
There are so many things I want to do and so much information everywhere it is overwhelming to put it mildly.
I am starting my own business for sure, and I lost my focus because of being bombarded with ideas and a 'things to do list' a mile long.  I am back here now blogging because it helps me get it straight in my head what it is I am trying to do.
I bought two new books and working through them is going to help me.  It felt good just buying something new for myself since it's been a long time since I have done that.  I am also going to put myself on some kind of schedule.  I do good with schedules as long as they are flexible and not too strict.  Starting my own business is going to require a massive amount of time, dedication, persistence and all that jazz, but at the same time, I can not let my own exercise plans, scrap booking, social media, reading and other things go away because of the business start-up... there has to be a balance.
I want my own business very badly and intend to chronicle the steps that I am taking to make this work out and to shape my life into something that I want to wake up to everyday.

Kim

Time to Chill

So, today, I am trying to be chill and mellow.  I should totally be enjoying my life.  It's fantastic... unless you're me (inside my own head).  I am free, kind of.  I don't have a husband, kids, a job.  Today, for example, I woke up around 11:30.  I went online for a while, then raked the back yard.  I raked tumbleweeds and thorny brush.  It's kind of weird being in the southwest in December when it's snowing back east where I used to live.  They have about 6 inches of snow on the ground right now.  So, the weather is fantastic here and the mountains that I can see anytime from my window are beyond magnificent.  I have the best little dog to love and I can do whatever I want, whenever I want.  I made dinner and played Facebook games.  I am only awake for about 5 hours of daylight, since it gets dark around 5 pm now.  So, that's a little glimpse into a day in the life of....  It doesn't feel right.  It seems like I should be doing something.  I can't enjoy this at all.

Kim

So much for starting over

Welcome to my setback.  I missed blogging yesterday.  I knew it would happen.  I don’t have a job, but the time still flies by.  I have been working on scrapbooking, wrote a quiz on Facebook, got published on Yahoo Associated Content and Helium (with the same article), and have been cooking.  I haven’t gotten any farther with my own business, except for starting on the website.  I went for testing for a part-time warehouse job, but I was two minutes late and they wouldn’t let me take the test!  OMG!!  How could that happen?  And that was the only job that was advertised that I could do and that I had seen in over a week!

I am still playing the dumb Facebook games and although I quit four of them (Pop Sugar’s Retail Therapy, Zoo World, Frontierville and Petville), I still play Farmville, Café World, Disco Empire and I added Baking Life and Fishville.  HELP!

Day Off

I guess, since I blogged for a week straight, I thought I should take today off.  But, I am going to go and put a little blurb in here... so I can still claim that this is something that I do consistently without fail (so far).  Ummmm, leemesee, today was my mom's birthday.  I didn't try out for a play that I said I was going to try out for.  I got a rejection letter from a job I had applied for.  Kind of a typical day.
I did buy my mom the $5.99 prime rib dinner at the Virgin River for her b-day though and it was very good.  I also got her a scrapbook and I am going to put something together for her with her pictures.
I have ribs and barbeque sauce in the crockpot right now and I will be online for a while as I have crops to harvest and cakes to bake.  I will be back tomorrow and will hopefully "bring it" with the inspiration.... j/k lol

Kim

Celebration and other stuff

I have blogged every day for a week.  So, this is cause for a celebration.  There are not many things that I can follow through on and do consistently for seven whole days in a row (maybe Farmville).  I also followed through on some other stuff, but I won't bore you with the details (you're welcome).

I went to the community recreation center to sign up for a membership and low and behold, the class I want to take doesn't start until Jan. 3rd.  I got a reprieve.  I can now blow this entire month off as far as exercising.  Whoo Hoo!

I am still tweaking and formulating my master plan for starting a Virtual Assistant business.  I started working on my website and I will share it with you... just know that it is in it's infancy stages and by no means a finished product.  Go to http://www.wix.com/kimberlynne/index.  I welcome any and all criticism/comments (especially from my friends who luv me ;-p).

As soon as I get a little further along with my business, I am going to straighten up this blog.  New topic, new look and feel.  The whole reason I started it was for a place to go for inspiration and motivation... and that's what it's all about.  Thanks for following me and "in case I don't see ya again...good afternoon, good evening, and goodnight" ~The Truman Show~

Kim

Blog – Day 6

OK, so, I am slowly (VERY slowly) getting a few things done.  Oh, no I’m not.  Unless you count leveling up in Farmville, I did nothing.  I wake up around 11am and it gets dark by 5pm, so it’s like the day is over before it even begins.  I made breakfast, lunch and watched Judge Judy.  So, what happened to all the big plans?  I DON’T KNOW.  How is anything going to get better if I don’t do anything?  I have a plan for tomorrow though.  When I wake up, I am going in to the Community Recreation Center and joining.  Then I can work out whenever I want and drop in on any of the classes they offer.  That will be a good start, right?

I am still so all over the map and unfocused with my start-up business plan, that I can’t seem to be able to move forward with it… and now I am working on the program for the Virgin Valley Theatre Group’s next play, “My Three Angels”.  I guess that counts as ‘doing something’, but it’s a freebie.  I did apply for the only job that was advertised in the paper online last night.  I am waiting to hear about that.  So, if we also count “waiting” as “doing something”… I’m kind of busy.

Kim

Still Making Changes

Sheesh, seriously, where does the time go?  I can’t even find real work, ya know, like where you go for eight hours and they pay you a fraction of what your worth?  So, in lieu of a real job (not Farmville), I have found that a growing number of websites will pay for your articles or blog posts.  Associated Content and Helium are two that I am currently trying.  Although I have cleared 3 million dollars in Café World, I have yet to find a bank that will convert Café cash into US $ (damned it).

To expound on a previous post, I want to implement a morning ritual into my routine (or lack of a routine).  I find myself some mornings with no motivation and a defeatist attitude before I even get out of bed.  I don’t know if I will actually be able to do this, but here’s the plan:  “Wake early and greet the day.  Watch the sun rise.  Out loud tell yourself that you will not waste this day, which is a gift.  You will be grateful and compassionate to your fellow human beings, and live every moment to its fullest.  Stretch, meditate and/or exercise.  Really enjoy a steaming cup of Duncan Donuts^© Coffee.”  Is that too much?  And as for the exercise thing… I have to sign up for a class again… at least to get started, because I don’t have the self-discipline to do it on my own.

Kim

Implementing More Changes

So, this is day four of my blog!  Yippee!  I wrote four days in a row, signed up for some online opportunities, submitted my first article to Associated Content, and did a bunch of preliminary work on starting my new business and this is all good.  There are two more things I would like to incorporate into the changes I want to make now that shouldn’t be too hard to do.  I need a morning ritual and I really need to start working out.  When I was doing so good a few months ago, I was an avid walker.  I walked daily and even got to the point where I could run, effortlessly and naturally.  I was wearing size 8 pants when I felt at my best.  I am sure that I can’t do my best work or be at my happiest unless I feel great too.  Feeling great is going to require a good diet and exercise.  I had been going to an aerobics class when I felt my best and it was fun (it’s very important that working out doesn’t suck).  And, just for myself, if I keep very active and busy, I don’t really have to worry too much about the diet.

I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to change yourself or implement the changes.  That is why I don’t really care for the “cookie-cutter” attitudes of a lot of the self-help books.  There is absolutely NO magic formula that can encompass the entire human experience.  So, I guess the biggest overall change I am making is that I am listening to myself and the people around me rather than the overwhelming amount of media written by people who don’t even know me.

Kim

Self-Help and Changes

I am the queen of buying self-help books.  Always thinking that the particular book I am buying is going to be THE one with the solution to all my problems… only it never is.  So, on this go-around of starting over, (and you never know, this could be my last chance), I am going on my gut instinct.  I am already armed with all the clichés and therapeutic nuggets my brain can hold and frankly, I have worn myself out trying to “be all I can be” and “living up to my potential”.  I have recently been convinced that some people are just naturally happier than others and that maybe, just maybe “this is as good as it gets”.

I do know that for me, it is very important to have fulfilling work.  And if I am doing something I feel passionate about, it makes me happy and gives me a reason to get out of bed in the morning.  I have forever been wanting to start my own business and I think now is the time.  I do not have unrealistic expectations and I will continue to search for any type of work for supplemental income while I stumble through the tedious start-up process of launching a new business.

I don’t want to go through life on auto-pilot, going through the motions and having each day pass like the one before it.  I turned 46 about a week ago and realized that I have gone through another year without having really lived life.  I made a lot of changes but, perhaps they just weren’t the right ones.

Kim

Time for Change

I have been very depressed lately and know that I need a change.  Today is the first day in months I even want to get out of bed in the morning and the reason is to write this, my second blog.  I know, lame, right?  I had just gotten on Facebook a couple months ago, reconnected with old friends, and became addicted to some games.  As my depression deepened, I was thinking that LESS internet might be the solution... but now, I'm thinking MORE internet!  I like it, it makes me happy, and one day, it may be the source of my income.

Nine months ago, I changed everything a person can possibly change about themselves and things seemed like they were going well.  I moved far away, got divorced, got a new job, lost a lot of weight, got a dog, quit smoking and drinking, and many other things.  I am still not quite sure what happened, but after a few months, I somehow ended up back in the same miserable state I was in before I made all the changes.

I am determined to and I must find the way to a better life.  I refuse to live this way anymore.  The first step I am taking is to express my desire for a better life to the universe through this blog.  I have hope and faith that the answers I am seeking will come.

Kim

My First Blog

I am here because I am trying to start my life all over again.  I am trying new things and am starting this Blog to document my journey.  This first entry is not going to be too long because I already spent over an hour just getting to this point (which demonstrates that anything can be done).  Thanks for reading and if I can find my way back (lol), you can look forward to some very interesting content.  My intention is to provide plenty of resources and inspiration to anyone who is not satisfied with their life and wants to make changes.