My online Stratego addiction

kentinator · User Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 37

My addiction to playing Stratego online has grown to such an extent that I have finally decided to quit. I have to. I have been spending FAR too many hours a day here - time I could be doing so many other things more productive or more relaxing or more sociable (in a real world sense). There have been many signs of my addiction:
- Lately I have been coming home in the middle of my work day (I live only two blocks from work) to be able to play some of the great European players who are often not on when I get home from work.
- I have been getting quite angry after losses - and often saying things to opponents that I regret afterwards. I would even abrubtly leave after losses from good friends.
- My list of players I refuse to play has been growing - but sometimes I even forget why I decided not to play them!
- My play was very 'streaky'. I couldn't win at a consistent level, and often went into long losing streaks, where my play would be horrible.
- I still haven't totally unpacked from a holiday I took in July!
- There are many things I keep saying I will get around to doing, but never do. So many other aspects of my life have suffered.
- My son hates the game and what it does to me. I spend less time with him, and he hates how angry I get after losses.
I am sure many of you can handle the game, and are able to keep it from becoming too big a part of your lives. I wish I could but I am not that type of person. Unfortunatley I am an 'all on or all off' kind of guy. So, since I can't control it, I must stop it.
Yesterday after a game with my good friend DarthRemark we both made a pact to quit for a year. He and I have often spoke in the past about the various evils of this addictive game, but yesterday we both came to the conclusion that in order to improve our lives we must quit playing online Stratego.
So my dear friends, I am sorry to all of you who I got upset with. I must admit I have at times acted badly and I apologize. I wish you all well and I envy those of you who can keep this game under control and not let it take over your lives.
Now I will have more time to read, walk, call friends, spend time with my son, do those many projects I keep putting off etc.
Perhaps in one year I will come back and see if I can control the game and not let it control me as it has in the past. My god, when I think of how many hours I have spent playing Stratego online over the past 4 years, it staggers me!

Goodbye to you all - I urge you to email me so we can still keep in touch. Simply click on the email icon at the bottom of this message.
I consider you all friends, and if you are ever in the area of western Canada - please look me up!

kentinator out

wsc_warrior · User Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 49 Location: Michigan

Sorry to see you go.

I know what you mean by taking up alot of time.
I'll miss ya.

Take care

Warrior Out

-deleted260 · Posted: 27.09.2004 08:43 Post subject:

Hey kent..listen buddy, I read your post and I am behind your decision to quit. In the whole scheme of things..we all know that stratego means nothing in real life. I admire your need , to spend more quality time with your family and friends, and move on to more gratifying events in the REAL world. Kent...i will miss you as a player...but more important , as a person who is always fun to talk to , take care my friend and God bless you. MasterShihan!!
_________________
The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled... was convincing people he did not exist..

apollo · Posted: 27.09.2004 13:04 Post subject:

I know exactly how you feel Kent, this game can get addictive and can be very frustrating. It seems, as soon as I feel unbeatable and playing great, BOOM! I will lose 6 or 8 in a row. But, my friend, keep it in respective and remember it's just a game, no one here is winning any money or prizes, heck, we don't even know who's who except for a few exceptions. Take a break , take care and come back refreshed. You know I will always be here for you to beat up on and take your frustrations out on. God bless.

Apollo

Agresor · Posted: 28.09.2004 08:09 Post subject: cool down and come back

Hey kentinator!
Cool down ,take a break,relax and come back,but especialy DO NOT PLAY POKER!

wish nice days

Agresor

jade · Gravon Administrator Joined: 12 Oct 2002 Posts: 9

Dear kentinator,
perhaps it seams a little bit strange, if just an gravon-admin want to show his deap respect for Your decision. But I want to pay tribute to Your strength of purpose and I am sure, that You will master Your problem. After many years on gravon let me say, that You are not the only one with such a problem. Far from it! But You are the first one, who has talked about it and found the courage to make Your decision and Your reasons public. Many thanks for that! May it be an occasion for all players to think about their own attitude to the game and perhaps an example.
Obviously gravon is a place for gamers and need gamers to be an interesting place, but no place on earth (and the www is a part of our earth) should be live and be interesting through the harm of people. Your decision shows that we agree on that point (and not only that one).
It was a great honour to have You as registered player on gravon! If You want to come back some time, You are welcome. But if You can not, I want to wish You all the best! There is one positive thing, if one lost itself for a time: The way back to oneself is the most interesting and most significant way to go for all of us. I hope and I am sure, that You have done more than one step on that way.
With the best regards,
Jade

kentinator · User Joined: 01 Jun 2003 Posts: 37

Thank you all, for your good wishes expressed here and by email. It makes me realize that the time spent was not all wasted, as I am sure many of you will be friends for life. We all share a common bond here.

So far so good - yesterday I fixed a frame that had broken and the picture had been sitting on the kitchen counter for over a month. It took about 5 min. lol I expect to get much more done also. I have a pile of clothes that need buttons sewed on - this pile has been shifted around for over three years.

jerry · Posted: 29.09.2004 09:26 Post subject: "Addiction"

Addition, not a easy mark to live with, one reason I don't play on-line as much lately, smoke 2 many cigarettes.

Enjoy yr retire of time from Stratego Kent, even though we have not played much over the years, it has allways been nice to have the odd chat from time to time, and a game here and their.

If Peter ever comes back to play here, I,m sure we can see yu rekindle a few old time battles..

, either that or I will e-mail yu a couple of camera pics when I,m in the States in November, just to keep in touch.

Take Care My Freind.

Cheers Jerry.

esquire · Posted: 01.10.2004 02:47 Post subject:

Come back Kent....I used to play as much as you, and if you just play sparingly, you can do it.

You may need a small break, but c'mon.....

aeolus · User Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 15 Location: Utrecht

Kent my friend,

I respect your disicion. Hope you play me when you check this site once a year

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Aeolus