Insights from an ex-Video Game Addict

This may come as a shock to some of you but yes, I've been free from video game addiction for the past 2-3 months.  Just what catergorizes being a video game addict?  Well to me, it's when you feel that need to accomplish something or achieve the next level/beat the next boss, and by the time you're done, it's into the wee hours of the morning.  If you ever catch yourself in that circumstance, then well, sorry to say but either you're becoming an addict or already one.  Just how did I achieve this freedom?  I think there comes a point in a man's life when he crosses from boy to man.  And well honestly, I made that leap of faith recently.  With that comes the responsibility of adulthood which ultimately means sacrifices.  This new found freedom has led me to enjoy the finer things in life.  Meaningful conversations, deeper friendships, renewed health, academic success, and a passion for life just to name a few.

So how did I become an addict?  My first encounter with video games started late in elementary school.  I feel that many gamers back then just played for fun.  But as I played, I found success and praise among my friends which ultimately led to an identity shift.  As the pressures of life collapsed on me, I knew I would always find relief in what I did best -- playing video games.  What makes video game addiction so deadly is not the amount of time you spend but the total transition from living in reality to virtual reality.  When you sit down in front of your computer, you know for the next few hours, nothing else in the world matters.  What matters is your score compared to your opponent.  In a way, it's a drug that you just keep coming back to over and over again.  And with each new video game, the pressure is to become great again and prove to your peers that yes, you've still got your stuff.  And I had my stuff most of the time which made my addiction worse because giving it up meant giving up my status, my rank, and my achievements.  Frankly, when you're a young kid, that glory just feels oh so good.

With the addiction gone, what now?  I feel for once in my life that I am in control.  I am the sum of the decisions I make and the decisions I don't make.  I'm finally starting to take ownership of mistakes I've made, and rather than escaping the regrets of my life through the computer screen, I face them head on and look forward to the future.  Yeah, it does suck dealing with the crap in your life but honestly, if you're not going to do anything about it, who will?

Daymaker: Happy that I no longer live in the World of Warcraft but the World of Peter Zheng Wang.

Good eats! Part I

Throughout this summer, I will attempt to cover just some of the foods/restaurants in Austin that makes Austin, Austin.  Since Johnny is in town, we'll probably be eating out alot.  So where did we go today?  GYRO KING!

I remember my first time going to gyro king after playing ball one Saturday morning during fish year.  Since we were still noobs on campus, we decided to venture uphill to Dobie to check out just what makes paying that extra $2000 worth it.  For some reason, we all went to the furthest corner of the cafeteria and was instantly drawn by the rotating mutton.  We didn't need to look at the whole menu because we knew what we all wanted -- MEAT LOVERS' PLATTER.  And since that fateful Saturday morning, I've never gotten anything else there besides that.  Just what makes meat lovers' platter a meat lovers' platter?!  It doesn't take long after getting your plate that you realize you're in for a treat.  To one corner of your plate, you have perfectly grilled and sliced mutton and adjacent to that is chopped, grilled chicken breast.  But that's not what makes this meal great.  Like almost every meal, a meal is only as good as the bread (or rice)!  The freshly baked pita is perfect for adding that oomph to this platter.  Put that sour cream, rice, cheese, lettuce, and meat on that pita and you're good to go.  For the ladies, you'll be getting yourself two meals for the price of one.  For the guys, prepare to come with loose pants.

Daymaker: Getting the whole meal for only $5 flat.  No tax!

Father's Day Weekend

Most of my father's day weekends have been pretty uneventful but this weekend was indeed one filled with celebration and seeing/hanging out with old friends.  First thing I did coming back from Austin was head straight to Kona Grill for MMP's bday bash.  Got pretty owned by a sip of martini :(  Then got owned cuz I ordered a pizza at unhappy hour price and mid way through our meal, it was reverse happy hour.  However, the rest of night was just packed with loads of fun.  Seeing Timmy and actually getting to spend time with him was great.  If things work out, perhaps I'll be living with him in the near future!  Then JPGs and Timmy owned up in Super Trivia at D&B.  That game never gets old.  And to cap off the fun-filled night, got to see koolkells before she gives her life away at XJ.  Bye bye k00lkelley0 cuz you're coming back HeyLookItsKelley.  Wish I took pics of the night but I'm sure FB will get spammed with it anyway.

Onto to Saturday which...pretty much felt like a repeat of Friday night cuz I saw the same people (Mok, Lex, Simy) AND Steven the Tso.  For those who don't know him, he's probably one of the coolest people you'll meet ever.  Great story-telling abilities mixed with a charming inner child pretty much sums up what this guy is about...oh plus countless # of Jordans.  Great seeing you again Steven; best of luck on year 2 of Kenya!  And if you're interested, I can forward your number to him ;)

Then Sunday, after Matt Lee cancelled our lunch date which was suppose to happen ages ago, I go to Pho Saigon to see....yup, the same people I saw the last two days.  Rest of the day went by quick due to the drive up to Austin but now, I'm back in my apartment with a new roommate!

Don't attempt to adjust your eyes because yes, you're seeing double vision.  Johnny (Danny's twin, duh) decides to spend the rest of the summer up here with us which means double the fun for me!

My day-maker (yes, I'm bringing this back!) for today was seeing this elementary girls' basketball camp at gregs:

Why was it a daymaker?  Cuz these girls can freaking ball.  I seriously felt like I was watching the WNBA because the girls had all the fundamentals.  It was amazing.  I'm ashamed to say most of them had better post moves than me :(  However, this is definitely where I'm sending my future daughter for the summer -- one of the many steps to making her a WNBA star.  Lucky her.

Summer, the time for new beginnings...

Since summer is so boring, I think I will revive this "once a fad, now taken over by facebook" - xanga.  Be on the lookout for new posts!!!

For now, I'll keep myself busy with these...

p.s. We got poor man's MJ back!!

...back to rehab

Just when my back started to get better and after an 18 month absense of sports, another injury.  Only this time, the doc says it's only 6-8 weeks.  Atleast this time around, I'll get some exercise in from walking around on these bad boys...

...and by the end of it all, my arms will look like this...

...but my legs might look like this :-/