“Shit.”

“Goddammit.”

I had just dropped my laptop, completely demolishing the charging port, and I immediately knew it was going to need a long fix. At first, I repaired it myself with surgical scissors, some gauze, tweezers, and a whole lot of painters tape. But when that eventually ceased to work, I had to face the truth. I brought it into the shop and said goodbye to my prized possession for about a week.

Now, I know I play way too many video games. Prior to this, I was deep in the midst of playing Overwatch, Bioshock, Rocket League, Guild Wars, and so much more. It all had to stop for a week. So what would happen to me, the pale reclusive shut-in? Immediately after bringing it to the shop, I sat down in my living room. And I sat there, bored, with nothing to do.

First, I checked my bookshelf. I had absolutely nothing new to read, and nothing particularly caught my eye in reading again. Daytime TV is atrocious as always, and I ended up watching Fox News for a few shocks at their particularly racist comments that day. Eventually, when my family came home, we got to spend actual quality time together for the first time since I’ve been back for summer break. We watched movies, we played games and laughed. Things were different.

I couldn’t understand how easy it all came, and how effortlessly it all happened. In my time without my computer, I played board games for the first time in ages. I watched “Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure” with my family again. We barbecued in my backyard three times. I became a published journalist and hung out with friends in person instead of on skype. Pokemon GO came out, and I walked nearly 40 kilometers with friends, finding new places on campus I’d never seen before. In short, by going without a computer, my relationships got stronger, I got fitter, and I felt happier. A few days go by, and I start thinking to myself, “What should I do with this information?” Next week, should I limit my time on the computer? Should I explore more downtown? Maybe go get a few books to read?

Then, Tuesday after work, I got the phone call that my computer was ready to be picked up. I was at the shop within an hour. Later, I found out that Blizzard revealed the new Overwatch hero Ana. Steam started automatically when I started the computer, and update notifications flooded in. I practically basked in the screens glow. That first day, I managed pretty well. I went on a long walk with friends for well over three hours at night. But that was Tuesday. Now, I sit here, typing this article, and I can’t wait to go play more Overwatch, and I can’t wait to play more Rocket League. My friends await me in a 6 person Skype call. My family will probably watch more movies later, anyway. They can wait.