A List of 12-Step Programs I Need

Besides Overeaters Anonymous, which I would find tremendously helpful. I can't do OA because I can't swear off sugar and carbs forever. But there are habits that I have that become compulsive, almost like addictions, that I obviously need to stop. And yet I can't. I complain and complain but I can't change the behavior. It's odd.



1. The ultra-conservative talk radio I listen to in the afternoons. I hate Michael Graham and I hate Jay Severin, but I listen to them all the time. Why is that? I listen to the station in morning on my way to work because I like Don Imus. When I get in my car in the afternoon the station is still on and sometimes I get to hear Jim and Marjorie, who I also like. But for the rest of the afternoon and evening, it's horrible. But I can't turn it off. I know they are going to say outrageous things and I am compelled to know the things they say. I talk back to the radio and spend a lot of time in shock about what I'm hearing, but as much as I hate them I can't turn them off. So a 12 Step Recovery program for ultraconservative radio hosts would help me out greatly.



2. Facebook. I am not sure when I joined Facebook, I think it was over the summer. I love Facebook. I love re-connecting with friends, I love the ease of sending messages to people and setting up groups, and reading people's status updates. I love the games - I get hooked on different games at different times, and Rich and I like similar games and often huddle around the laptop playing Bumper Stars, Wordtwist, Soduko, or Bejewled Blitz. I know, I know - we're losers. The games are so addictive, and appeal to my nerdy competetive side. Which leads me to number 3.



3. Bejeweled Blitz. Of all the games on Facebook this one has me hooked more than most. I can't stop playing. Each game is a minute, and I always tell myself I'm going to play just one more game. So, I basically am watching my life fly before my eyes in one minute increments. I get fiercely competetive with the scoreboard that lists all my friends' scores. One girl, someone I graduated high school with, always seems to beat my score at the last minute and my entire goal is to beat her score before they reset the boards. Seriously, I am completely addicted and I'm admitting I have a problem.



4. Reality TV. I mentioned this before and I really don't think I'll ever kick the habit. Certainly not without help. I love shows like Cops, Cash Cab, Extreme Home Makeover, The Amazing Race, American Idol, etc. But my true addiction shows up with the crap celebreality on MTV and VH1. I'm watching I Love Money 2, The Duel, Rock of Love Bus Tour, and I even watched an episode of New York Gets A Job (but I couldn't actually watch the whole thing, it was that bad). I have watched all the seaons of Flavor or Love and Tori and Dean. I even got hooked on Janice Dickinson's Modeling Agency. That can't be healthy, right? And recently, when Lissa and I had a day off we were on the phone and watched an episode of Jerry Springer together while laughing about it. We need help.



5. I would mention my serious addiction to Ben and Jerry's ice cream, but to be honest I have no interest in quitting. They have some new flavors out, and one in particular - Mission to Marzipan - is wreaking havoc with my weight watchers success. It's too good. Instead of thinking of ways to stop eating it, I'm trying to find the Ben and Jerry's store that someone said is nearby. So I guess that one shouldn't even be on my list. Oh well.