Define Normal

yeah I know what you mean..I used to work work work 24/7.. But soon after joining this site and meetiing all the great gamers that just wana have fun, it made me wanna do something rather then make money. So I myself check this site up to 5 times a day and also look up new games all the time...My GF calls me weird and stuff but she knows It's better then drinking like I used to do a weee lil bit much...So I say we are just all good timing people who just wanna have fun and there is nothing bad about us... Dont get down about it man..\r \r James Johnson

The site is a nice distraction from regular life, and the people here are great. I know, i actually took a weekend off to go to the chicago lan and meet people i had only known via halo 2 or other video games through the site. i had a blast.\r \r video gaming has also been my guilty pleasure. i basically substituted one addiction for another. this site makes gaming fun because you find others out there who are just like you. almost. some people are not ashamed of their guilty gaming pleasure, and in reality, you shouldn't be. but taking it to extremes is a bit much. \r \r Ask anyone who has been here since almost the beginning. i used to want to be the best, get that next level, outplay the opposition, and improve my gameplay, especially in halo2. i love halo 2. still do. but lately i've realized there is no respawn in RL (real life). I'm out having fun with live people as much as i can. i try to game at least once or twice a week just to maintain the relationships i've made on this site and meet with these great people if only for a little while.\r \r but real life is out there, and is so much more fun than pwning noobs...although a good pwning is still like a snickers bar...\r \r i have no doubt that you can improve your skills in halo 2 by playing 2 to 3 hours everyday. you won't be uber l337 cause too many people have played this game religiously for almost 2 years now, but fun can still be had. but then again, this site isn't really about being uber elite, even though if you exclusively play halo 2 you could get that idea.\r \r use this community for whatever helps you get by until you get back on your feet man. no one will be ticked if one day you just up and stop playing as much. most will understand. and don't feel guilty about it. its a good time in a \"timmy\" free environment. but don't rely upon it for your sense of self. not saying you are mind you... i used to check the site all the time too. and everyone here is certainly grateful for your involvement, ut if you ever think its too much, then you are the best barometer of your behavior.\r \r hope i got the gist of your ramblings. if not, iggy me.

Torn- I think I just need to set some guidelines that round things out, even \"loose\" ones would be good.\r \r Jedi-You and GF are both right there are a lot worse things to have as a habit or hobby, not to mention more expensive.\r \r Fetal-Your probably closer than either one of us realize.\r IMO guilt is probaly a big part here, ten years ago I gave up cold turkey on my friends and hobbies for marriage/family.\r A no brainer for the really but by not keeping a sliver of that to \"escape\" as the struggles of life pushed on, well, it slowly changed a part of me.\r Its so nice to be able to mingle here with the people of the site, my X was so jealous of my friends that I rarely even talked with them.\r Just nice to be a part of the scenery here, some guilt isnt gonna stop me nor the fact that I accept my mediocre skills.\r Just happy to be here bro!

I am exaclty the same i can play the xbox for 18hrs in a day if i am allowed (and i have done). Regarding the forum i have my comp at hgome on all the time this is my home page and i sit with open and between games i check the clan forums and the blogs.\r \r I do nothing else my health has become terrible probably due to lack of fresh air but i cant seem to pull myself together to do something or even get up off my couch lol.\r \r I hope you manage to get to the point of stop worrying about it and realise that there are so many people like us out there but are probably in denial.\r \r Regarding the skills it will happen but dont forget the more you play with the same people they also get better so it may not be as noticeble that you have improved. when team snipers became ranked I was a louset level 8 i had so many games where i couldnt get a kill but now i seem to go about 5 levels every month or so but i have to put the work in lol.

Mental-Thanks for your insite and comparisons its nice to be along side others with similar thoughts, feelings and situations.\r Dont overlook your health though just try and do some exercise to get the blood flowin, its good for our brains and thumbs too!\r That should help ya not feel so dodgey.\r Cool chrome look for 360/controllers-outrageous!\r Say hey to ch8rt he used to be on my fl he musta maxed it though as I'm not there anymore.\r Later Bud.

Mike-Sorry I was goin to combine these but anyway, work things out with your wife she just needs something for herself during your gaming.\r It will be better for both of you, trust me!\r Dont worry to much about people takin ya wrong, we can only express with words for the most part on the site. Its in the gaming that personalities are really felt.\r Peace my friend, Randy.

Yeah will say hi to Ch8rt i noticed that you had played him a few times :)\r The chrome does really look nice.\r \r i am going to send you a FR dont worry my list isnt big lol.

Sorry for double post tried to send an fr but your list is too full.

I'll \"weed\" some out for ya Mr!

Sweet xnox live is down at the moment so will accept it later :)

I know what you mean about gaming to cope with real life. I went through that a couple years ago after an semi-engagement fell apart (not nearly as bad as a divorce I'm sure, but still wasn't much fun), when Halo 1 for the PC first came out. Seems like that's most of what I was preoccupied with for most of that year. Dropped out of grad school and everything. :-/\r \r I think something gaming as a distraction can be helpful if you keep it in check and don't quit the rest of your life like I did. It might also be helpful to get involved in a few real life things with real live people to go along with the gaming as something to take your mind away from life's sucky times.

Alrighty River how are you doing now do you jave any updates for us? hope your doing well :)

It's great gamin' with ya OMR.\r People like yourself turned the gaming world around for me, back to fun, and I try to do the same in return.\r \r Hope ya had a great weekend bruva!\r -jas

Thanks Jason and all for your comments.\r \r I enjoy the community here that 202p has \r \r created for us, its been a great place to\r \r scroll through forums and find friends.\r \r Cheers.

What's normal? I don't know. For close to twenty I considered refugees, bombed areas and demilitarized zones as normal and now that I'm a civilian I'm suddenly suposed to have a negative-like outlook on it. Frankly, a lot of being an average guy is lost on me. Heck, I sometimes feel like being the sane guy in an insane world.\r \r It's best to keep to your own set of values, since when you do that, you're true to yourself. That's by far the most important thing.\r \r A Jedi would advise to center yourself :)\r \r Have a great Christmas, dude.