give me some crazy ideas

[Chiropteran]

What can I do to totally change my outlook on life?

I'm not happy with what I have, where I am, and what I do. I play wow 30 hours a week, work, go to the gym, go out with girls met online occasionally, go to see music shows occasionally (alone usually).

I think the solution is to quit playing wow, but I have tried it. It doesn't work unless I have something to replace it with- I end up sitting at my computer reading forums and wondering why I don't just log in and play instead of thinking about the game. I need something else completely new and different to take my interest. I'm just going to slip this in here, but it's a big issue as well. There is this girl I met in wow who I am crazy about, and she says she likes me just the same. The problem is she is living with her BF, 2000 miles away. The distance isn't the issue, it's that she doesn't want to hurt her BF even if she doesn't love him anymore. So every night we play wow for hours together, and half the time sending dirty tells back and forth, and more. But she doesn't want to to anything else yet, she keeps thinking maybe we can meet if something goes wrong and her BF dumps her, but until then it's wait and see. So yeah, I would be stupid to wait around right? I think she is only interested in me because of wow anyway, and I have only been playing wow because of her, maybe if I quit for a few weeks I can straighten out my mind.

I started reading fight club, like everyone I saw and enjoyed the movie but never got around to reading the book until just now. That is what I need, but such things don't exist in the real world- do they?

I have thought about just taking a short weekend vacation most of my heavy gaming is on the weekends, I could just take off on friday night, get a hotel near the mountains, walk around and enjoy nature. Not sure what I would do for food, I guess there must be restaurant out there. As exciting and fun as that sounds, I don't see it being what I am looking for, because it'd be too expensive to sustain and do more than once every couple months.

And the "too expensive" is the main problem with every idea I have had. The hardest part about quitting wow is the monthly fee. $15 a month for hundreds of hours of entertainment is impossible to beat, or so it seems.

Netflix could actually take care of some of that time, with 4 at a time if I watch movies and return them quick I could have a new movie every night, but the problem there is that I don't see sitting in front of the TV watching a DVD as any more healthy than sitting at my computer playing wow, perhaps it's even less-so because at least playing a game I have to think and act instead of it being totally passive.

I hate sports, I don't think I could volunteer. Maybe I could walk, it's free, but I don't see it filling the void unless I walked 5 hours a day, I don't see myself doing that much walking even on nice days.

So what am I missing? Are there any crazy hobbies or things I could do that would eat up a lot of time, have beneficial emotional effects, and are free or really cheap? I'd seriously think about joining the military if I hadn't already tried that 11 years ago, until I was injured in boot camp. I just feel like I want to change my life in some drastic way and start over.

 

[meltdown75]

I play wow 30 hours a week

Had to stop right there. cliffs?

edit: wait, maybe those ARE the cliffs

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: meltdown75

I play wow 30 hours a week

Had to stop right there. cliffs?

I spend too much time playing wow.

It's hard to quit without something new and different to fill up that time.

I am looking for suggestions.

 

[Special K]

How do you like your job? Could you put more time into that and expect to see greater returns? What about going back to school for something totally different?

 

[JulesMaximus]

The first rule of fight club is...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran

Originally posted by: meltdown75

I play wow 30 hours a week

Had to stop right there. cliffs?

I spend too much time playing wow.

It's hard to quit without something new and different to fill up that time.

I am looking for suggestions.

Just beat yourself up.

 

[meltdown75]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran

Originally posted by: meltdown75

I play wow 30 hours a week

Had to stop right there. cliffs?

I spend too much time playing wow.

It's hard to quit without something new and different to fill up that time.

I am looking for suggestions.

I would have suggested sports until I read up to that part. There's gotta be something for you to do. Most of your spare time seems to be spent in front of one screen or another. Get out into the real world - the graphics are awesome!

Don't pay any attention to my PPD - it's all done @ work

 

[James Bond]

Do you have a job?

 

[HN]

hmm, maybe you should form a WoW fight club? just gather in different areas and thrown down.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Why are you talking about fight club? DAMN YOU!

 

[HammerCurl]

You just want to meet new people without sports/volunteering and with a limited budget. Join a bookclub? Theres an assload of good books to read. A few coworkers I know rent movies/music from the library. You can browse the county's collection and they'll ship it out to the nearest library to you. They've got a decent collection too, (American Psycho was there, buncha recent movies but you can only rent for a day). Take up fishing? Now theres a hobby.

 

[BeauJangles]

You're in a tough situation. WoW is easy for you. You can just sign on and, bam, you have a purpose, friends, etc. It's gratifying, until you realize it isn't real. The addiction exists because WoW seems to be the biggest /easiest thing in your life.

To make a really bad analogy, when you started playing WoW, you had to find your place, no? You made a character to fulfill a certain role. Life is kinda the same, except the roles aren't necessarily as well-defined. Just like you can 'learn' skills in Wow, you can learn skills in the real world too. Spending hours trolling for XP is the same as sitting down for an hour and learning to play the guitar or building a table, or rewiring a lamp.

You've probably spent plenty of time leveling your characters on WoW. All that time, energy, and effort you sunk into getting a lvl 70 character is great, except that all that time could have been spent working on things YOU want. What do you want to do with your life? Where do you want to be in two years? No idea? Sit down and think about it; answering that question is very important in figuring your life out.

Here are some quick ideas:
1) Pick up the newspaper every day. Start reading it.
2) In that newspaper, find the crossword, sudoku, or whatever you fancy. Do that too.
3) Start trying new things. Even if you hate it, what's the worst that happens? You've wasted a little time, but I bet you'll find some stuff pretty quickly. (ideas: volunteering, camping, hiking, biking, photography, writing, reading, pottery, sailing, etc)
4) Take a walk or two. It's always nice to get outside. Even if you just walk half a mile, sit on a bench, and go home walking can be one of the most enjoyable things. Plus, I love people-watching.
5) Listen to music. Not in front of your computer, but in your house / apartment.
6) Try new things! Seriously! It's okay to be nervous, it's okay to think it's stupid, it's okay to hate it... the point is to put the effort in. Go skydiving, take a drawing class, who knows!

-Beau

 

[HammerCurl]

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
You're in a tough situation. WoW is easy for you. You can just sign on and, bam, you have a purpose, friends, etc. It's gratifying, until you realize it isn't real. The addiction exists because WoW seems to be the biggest /easiest thing in your life.

To make a really bad analogy, when you started playing WoW, you had to find your place, no? You made a character to fulfill a certain role. Life is kinda the same, except the roles aren't necessarily as well-defined. Just like you can 'learn' skills in Wow, you can learn skills in the real world too. Spending hours trolling for XP is the same as sitting down for an hour and learning to play the guitar or building a table, or rewiring a lamp.

You've probably spent plenty of time leveling your characters on WoW. All that time, energy, and effort you sunk into getting a lvl 70 character is great, except that all that time could have been spent working on things YOU want. What do you want to do with your life? Where do you want to be in two years? No idea? Sit down and think about it; answering that question is very important in figuring your life out.

Here are some quick ideas:
1) Pick up the newspaper every day. Start reading it.
2) In that newspaper, find the crossword, sudoku, or whatever you fancy. Do that too.
3) Start trying new things. Even if you hate it, what's the worst that happens? You've wasted a little time, but I bet you'll find some stuff pretty quickly. (ideas: volunteering, camping, hiking, biking, photography, writing, reading, pottery, sailing, etc)
4) Take a walk or two. It's always nice to get outside. Even if you just walk half a mile, sit on a bench, and go home walking can be one of the most enjoyable things. Plus, I love people-watching.
5) Listen to music. Not in front of your computer, but in your house / apartment.
6) Try new things! Seriously! It's okay to be nervous, it's okay to think it's stupid, it's okay to hate it... the point is to put the effort in. Go skydiving, take a drawing class, who knows!

-Beau

Sounds like good advice to me :thumbsup:

 

[Phokus]

I don't know about 'fight clubs', but there are some Mixed Martial Arts clubs you could go to... maybe train a couple years and compete in some amateur mixed martial arts tournaments

 

[Unheard]

I watched a show on Discovery called Taboo and they were showing a real life fight club. Can't remember where in the US it was though.

 

[paulxcook]

You said you go to music shows. Do you play an instrument? If you don't, you could learn, take some lessons, get in a band. Bands take tons of time, you meet lots of people, you sometimes (though rarely) even make a little money, it's FUN, it's a creative outlet with real results of you're able to record... Just a thought. It does take some money, which might not work for you.

 

[thepd7]

Suggestions:

Learn a new language

Get Ripped (ie work out a ton)

Take up the culinary arts (learn how to cook)

Learn how to dance

Take a 2nd part-time job (more cash to travel, invest, etc)

Go visit DJFuji, learn how to get girls, get a girl, profit.

Take up photography.

Go to the humane society, get a dog, you just made a new best friend.

Go to a bar, hang out and talk to people, I know older people who have made tons of friends that way.

Learn a new profession (new comp language in your spare time, web-development, etc)

Go to school to get a degree/another degree (A university if one is close or online)

If you are religious, get involved in a church, it's a great way to meet people.


You can EASILY spend 20 hours a week on any of my suggestions, no more excuses, get off your ass and hop to it!

PM if you need me, my name is Matt Foley and I am a motivational speaker.

 

[James Bond]

Originally posted by: HammerCurl

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber
You're in a tough situation. WoW is easy for you. You can just sign on and, bam, you have a purpose, friends, etc. It's gratifying, until you realize it isn't real. The addiction exists because WoW seems to be the biggest /easiest thing in your life.

To make a really bad analogy, when you started playing WoW, you had to find your place, no? You made a character to fulfill a certain role. Life is kinda the same, except the roles aren't necessarily as well-defined. Just like you can 'learn' skills in Wow, you can learn skills in the real world too. Spending hours trolling for XP is the same as sitting down for an hour and learning to play the guitar or building a table, or rewiring a lamp.

You've probably spent plenty of time leveling your characters on WoW. All that time, energy, and effort you sunk into getting a lvl 70 character is great, except that all that time could have been spent working on things YOU want. What do you want to do with your life? Where do you want to be in two years? No idea? Sit down and think about it; answering that question is very important in figuring your life out.

Here are some quick ideas:
1) Pick up the newspaper every day. Start reading it.
2) In that newspaper, find the crossword, sudoku, or whatever you fancy. Do that too.
3) Start trying new things. Even if you hate it, what's the worst that happens? You've wasted a little time, but I bet you'll find some stuff pretty quickly. (ideas: volunteering, camping, hiking, biking, photography, writing, reading, pottery, sailing, etc)
4) Take a walk or two. It's always nice to get outside. Even if you just walk half a mile, sit on a bench, and go home walking can be one of the most enjoyable things. Plus, I love people-watching.
5) Listen to music. Not in front of your computer, but in your house / apartment.
6) Try new things! Seriously! It's okay to be nervous, it's okay to think it's stupid, it's okay to hate it... the point is to put the effort in. Go skydiving, take a drawing class, who knows!

-Beau

Sounds like good advice to me :thumbsup:

GREAT POST A++++++++++++++ WOULD READ AGAIN

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: Special K
How do you like your job? Could you put more time into that and expect to see greater returns? What about going back to school for something totally different?

My job, no. Strict no-overtime. There isn't much room for advancement. I could look for a new job, that might be fun, but I don't think it'd be healthy to work 12 hours a day or whatever it would take to fill the time void. Going back to school, no. That would cost money I don't have.

Originally posted by: HammerCurl
You just want to meet new people without sports/volunteering and with a limited budget. Join a bookclub? Theres an assload of good books to read. A few coworkers I know rent movies/music from the library. You can browse the county's collection and they'll ship it out to the nearest library to you. They've got a decent collection too, (American Psycho was there, buncha recent movies but you can only rent for a day). Take up fishing? Now theres a hobby.

Book club sounds interesting. I already read a bit, I only discounted reading because it's not any better than sitting at my computer as far as health. But a book club would add some discussion and human contact to the whole thing, right? I guess I would look at bookstores for postings to find one?

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber

Here are some quick ideas:
1) Pick up the newspaper every day. Start reading it.
2) In that newspaper, find the crossword, sudoku, or whatever you fancy. Do that too.
3) Start trying new things. Even if you hate it, what's the worst that happens? You've wasted a little time, but I bet you'll find some stuff pretty quickly. (ideas: volunteering, camping, hiking, biking, photography, writing, reading, pottery, sailing, etc)
4) Take a walk or two. It's always nice to get outside. Even if you just walk half a mile, sit on a bench, and go home walking can be one of the most enjoyable things. Plus, I love people-watching.
5) Listen to music. Not in front of your computer, but in your house / apartment.
6) Try new things! Seriously! It's okay to be nervous, it's okay to think it's stupid, it's okay to hate it... the point is to put the effort in. Go skydiving, take a drawing class, who knows!

-Beau

Some great suggestions, thanks. I wish there was something easy like a local underground fight club, but as far as realistic suggestions yours seem pretty good, I might even try some of them.

 

[ViviTheMage]

dont do that Tizyler , that doesn't work anymore.

for the OP i'd just sell your WoW account pick up some quick cash and take a trip to europe!

BTW what realm?

 

[Jschmuck2]

Originally posted by: thepd7
Suggestions:

Learn a new language

Get Ripped (ie work out a ton)

Take up the culinary arts (learn how to cook)

Learn how to dance

Take a 2nd part-time job (more cash to travel, invest, etc)

Go visit DJFuji, learn how to get girls, get a girl, profit.

Take up photography.

Go to the humane society, get a dog, you just made a new best friend.

Go to a bar, hang out and talk to people, I know older people who have made tons of friends that way.

Learn a new profession (new comp language in your spare time, web-development, etc)

Go to school to get a degree/another degree (A university if one is close or online)

If you are religious, get involved in a church, it's a great way to meet people.


You can EASILY spend 20 hours a week on any of my suggestions, no more excuses, get off your ass and hop to it!

PM if you need me, my name is Matt Foley and I am a motivational speaker.

Would it be alright if I visit you in your van, down by the river?

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: Chiropteran

Originally posted by: Special K
How do you like your job? Could you put more time into that and expect to see greater returns? What about going back to school for something totally different?

My job, no. Strict no-overtime. There isn't much room for advancement. I could look for a new job, that might be fun, but I don't think it'd be healthy to work 12 hours a day or whatever it would take to fill the time void. Going back to school, no. That would cost money I don't have.

Originally posted by: HammerCurl
You just want to meet new people without sports/volunteering and with a limited budget. Join a bookclub? Theres an assload of good books to read. A few coworkers I know rent movies/music from the library. You can browse the county's collection and they'll ship it out to the nearest library to you. They've got a decent collection too, (American Psycho was there, buncha recent movies but you can only rent for a day). Take up fishing? Now theres a hobby.

Book club sounds interesting. I already read a bit, I only discounted reading because it's not any better than sitting at my computer as far as health. But a book club would add some discussion and human contact to the whole thing, right? I guess I would look at bookstores for postings to find one?

Originally posted by: BlinderBomber

Here are some quick ideas:
1) Pick up the newspaper every day. Start reading it.
2) In that newspaper, find the crossword, sudoku, or whatever you fancy. Do that too.
3) Start trying new things. Even if you hate it, what's the worst that happens? You've wasted a little time, but I bet you'll find some stuff pretty quickly. (ideas: volunteering, camping, hiking, biking, photography, writing, reading, pottery, sailing, etc)
4) Take a walk or two. It's always nice to get outside. Even if you just walk half a mile, sit on a bench, and go home walking can be one of the most enjoyable things. Plus, I love people-watching.
5) Listen to music. Not in front of your computer, but in your house / apartment.
6) Try new things! Seriously! It's okay to be nervous, it's okay to think it's stupid, it's okay to hate it... the point is to put the effort in. Go skydiving, take a drawing class, who knows!

-Beau

Some great suggestions, thanks. I wish there was something easy like a local underground fight club, but as far as realistic suggestions yours seem pretty good, I might even try some of them.

If you don't have enough money to go to school and you aren't married and don't have kids then you work an hourly crap job, yes?

Well, either get a loan and do school since you should be making more money with a degree or get another part time job to save up for school.

Question: do WoW kids smoke pot or is that just CS addicts?

 

[ViviTheMage]

thepd , bunch of kids in my guild seem to be on pot all the time...

my cs clan is generally always on pot or a more extensive drug....

 

[Chiropteran]

Originally posted by: thepd7
Get Ripped (ie work out a ton)


Take a 2nd part-time job (more cash to travel, invest, etc)

I have already considered working out more, since I have more time. I'm overweight though, and my understanding is it's best to either focus on losing weight or gaining muscle, not both at the same time. So I do cardio 3 nights a week, would there really be a benefit to doing weight training at the same time if I am just trying to lose weight?

The idea of a second job is an interesting one, I knew a girl who worked with me who said she always tried to keep a 2nd part time job just to meet people. It could work.

Originally posted by: thepd7
Go to a bar, hang out and talk to people, I know older people who have made tons of friends that way.

I'm fairly shy. I don't know if I could really go up and start talking to random people in bars.

 

[dudeman007]

Anytime you're trying to move away from something, you need a new thing to keep you busy and occupied. I think you should definitely explore finding a new job. It's not that you have to worry about hours worked, but the fact that you said that there's no room to move up bothers me. Find something new and exciting! Hell you might not even find anything, but you could at least try looking. It will keep you occupied and put you on a "quest" of your own.