I came to the startling conclusion one day that I was bored with my online game.  I quit once before for six months, and the only reason I picked it up again was because a bunch of friends asked me to come play.  One year later, the blush is off that rose, both for me and most of them.  Last Monday was my final game night.  Game is now uninstalled, and subscription cancelled, for both The Man and I.

Amazing, I now have more time on my hands.  The game took at least 3-5 hours out of each day, on average, sometimes less, more often, more.  What a time sink!  Combined with my other computer activities, I figure I spent 8-12hrs of each day parked in my office chair, and I wasn't getting that far in my writing either.  Low motivational ebb.  This same sedentary life also packed 20lbs onto my frame, and further reduced my energy levels at the same time it increased my insomnia symptoms.

Time for a change.  Both The Man and I have addictive personalities.  We were addicted to our online game.  We knew we needed to replace it with something else, so we bought a Wii, a Wii-Fit, and other such accessories.  A few weeks before this, we bought the flat screen tv, and plugged in a media server.  Old TV and entertainment center, as well as all cable channels, dvd players, etc, are gone.  The media server allows us to play any dvd, surf for and watch any tv shows from various websites, or stream movies from Netflix.  Installing the Wii was no problem.  We can play it anytime, and we do.

With the $$ we saved from playing the online game, I purchased a gym membership.  I attend the gym most every weekday, sometimes meeting The Man for swimming and hot tub, or going myself to use the machines.  I need to get in shape.  I need to get healthy.  I am tired of feeling like a slug.

Part of my life change was to rejoin the work force.  I control the finances in this here outfit, and I didn't like the direction they were going.  In order to pay off bills, make any move we decide on in the future more feasible, and build up the reserve accounts and our retirement funds, I need to go back to work for a while, maybe a few years, maybe more.  This will have the added benefit of relieving a lot of stress on The Man, stress he can't afford to have.  Hopefully, with two of us working and bringing in the $$, it will allow him some breathing space and energy to get himself motivated to get in shape and stay that way.

How does this impact my writing time?  I won't have 4 hours a day to write anymore unless I stay up too late.  But The Man and I have decided on a workable schedule where I'll have 1-2hrs a night to write, and he'll be able to work on skills to improve his career.  Writing is my career, but I need a job to finance the household until such time as I get that all important publishing contract.

So, I got that job.  From decision to job offer-5 days.  It isn't what you know, it is who you know.  Networking, keeping contact with former bosses and employers whom you trust and admire, maintaining good relationships, is the key to getting a job in troubled times.  I am lucky: a former boss has been trying to get me to come work for him for the last year.  When I finally come around to the idea, he is the VP of a brand new division, and my call is so timely as to be a Godsend.  Fortunate.  Lucky.  Blessed by God.  I must have made the right decision.

I feel so positive right now, so eager, so motivated and energetic.  Maybe it's the new meds, but I have a feeling that this is God's way of showing me that I've finally made the right decisions.  I am at peace with my life and the direction it is going.  Praise be, and miracle of miracles.

Hugs and peace to everyone.