This weekend I was convinced to join one of those oddly addictive browser games by a friend. Well, she used to be my friend, but if I don’t manage to get some sleep soon I may decide to never forgive her for talking me into this.

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War of Legends seemed simple enough at first. Free account, sign up, follow the tasks. The satisfaction gained as my reputation and gold levels climbed was pleasant, and my little city began to thrive. And then… it happened. The times for building slowly got longer, the tasks got just a little bit harder, and I found myself distracted. Article needs writing? Sure it does, but if I just wait 10 minutes more I can add another level to that copper mine! I need to get to bed…but ooh look there’s a wildland level 2 I can hit for more XP!

My orderly little world has been hit by a class 5 tornado of distraction, upsetting all my plans and schedules. My baking didn’t get done. Do I have my lamb meatloaf cooked for the week? Why no...it’s still raw and sitting in the fridge. Did the article get completed, just barely… and even this blog entry is late because I got sucked into playing over my lunch hour.

It’s only been 72 hours, and already its taking hold of my life. I will not let it take me though, not again. I’ve been down this path before, having survived the Shadowbane addiction of 2005/2006 and narrowly escaping the WoW infection that spread across the globe. I will not let the domain of pixilated persons who view me as a benevolent god entice me into abandoning reality again. I will not embrace my fellow alliance members as dearer to me than family. I have a life damn it; and I will not relinquish it for the siren’s call of “one more level.” I will …ooh look, my army rebuilt, I have to go attack something now.