Guilty Pleasures.

 

 

“Too busy to be homesick, Faris found that diversion and scholarship sorted well together.  There was nothing so entertaining as the amusements that beckoned when she had something extremely pressing to do in the way of scholarship.  If she had done all her work as soon as it was assigned, she would have been free to enjoy the roasted chestnuts, the melodramatic novels, and the part-singing with a clear conscience.  Yet, straightaway, the chief charm of their simple amusements would have vanished, for there was nothing forbidden in them, save that they required time, and time was always at a premium in their studies.”

From A College of Magics, by Caroline Stevermer

 

 

That about sums up the kind of guilty pleasures I’m talking about here.  The things that cost me nothing but time, but that take up lots... and lots... and LOTS of time.  Mostly, time when I’m supposed to be doing something else.

 

So here are websites related to my favorite guilty pleasures:

 

www.startrek.com  Yes, I am the person who actually fell for the offer of Star Trek™ information cards.  I actually own a set of 16 coasters decorated with the ships of Star Trek.  I have videotapes.  I have seriously considered buying the “Trouble with Tribbles” gift set (comes with several Tribbles™).  This site offers more information than anyone should want about all four series.  And, if your web connection is quick enough, it also has 30-second previews for the shows.

 

 

www.thesims.com/us/  Okay, the game is addictive.  I have hooked people who just wanted to see why I insisted on playing all the time.  Perhaps I shouldn’t suggest this to the uninitiated.  But then, what would be the fun in that?  Despite my addiction, I still don’t make Sim products, and I haven’t posted my Sim stories online.  But I spend hours downloading the things other people make, and then inserting them into my game.  I don’t even really bother to play the game, anymore--I mostly just build houses, and then see how the Sims react.

 

www.egroups.com/files/paradigmofuncertainty  I am not usually a reader of fan fiction, but this fills my needs for more Harry Potter, and the stories are rather well done.  And since there won’t be a new Harry Potter book out for ages--possibly not until 2002!--this will have to meet the Harry Potter need....

 

www.theonion.com  This is a great “news” site.  Or at least, I think so....

 

Okay, that’s my guilty pleasures for now.  Enjoy them until I have new ones to guide you to!