How much football manager is too much?

 I typed that question into Bing's chat AI.  This is its response.  Is there a self help group I could join?

That’s a good question. Football Manager is a very popular and addictive game that simulates the role of a football manager. Many people enjoy playing it for hours, but how much is too much?

There is no definitive answer to this question, as different people may have different levels of tolerance and enjoyment for the game. However, some possible signs and symptoms of Football Manager addiction are1:

• Playing the game for long periods of time, often at the expense of other activities, such as work, school, social life, or sleep.
• Feeling restless, irritable, or anxious when not playing the game or when interrupted.
• Losing interest in other hobbies or forms of entertainment.
• Neglecting personal hygiene, health, or relationships because of the game.
• Lying or hiding the extent of your gaming from others.
• Experiencing physical or mental health problems, such as headaches, eye strain, fatigue, depression, or anxiety, as a result of excessive gaming.
• Having difficulty stopping or reducing your gaming, even when you want to or need to.

If you recognize any of these signs in yourself or someone you know, it may be time to seek professional help or support. Football Manager addiction can have serious consequences for your well-being and happiness. It is not a medical condition by itself2, but it can be a symptom of an underlying or co-occurring disorder, such as depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, or autism1.

There is nothing wrong with playing Football Manager for fun and relaxation, as long as it does not interfere with your normal functioning and responsibilities. However, if you feel that you have lost control over your gaming and that it is affecting your life negatively, you should consider taking some steps to overcome your addiction. Some possible strategies are1:

• Setting realistic and specific goals for reducing your gaming time and sticking to them.
• Finding alternative activities that can provide you with similar benefits as gaming, such as sports, hobbies, or socializing.
• Seeking support from friends, family, or online communities who can help you stay motivated and accountable.
• Talking to a therapist or counselor who can help you identify and address the underlying causes of your addiction and provide you with coping skills and strategies.
• Joining a self-help group or a recovery program that can offer you guidance and peer support.

Remember that you are not alone in your struggle with Football Manager addiction. Many people have faced the same challenge and have successfully overcome it. You can do it too. All you need is some determination, discipline, and help. I hope this answer has been helpful and informative for you. Thank you for using Bing chat mode. 😊

Peas to the rescue

Cracked my ankle a couple of days ago whilst walking the dog then did it again yesterday but over compensated and hurt my big toe. It was fine but this morning it's giving me a lot of pain. It can't be broken but I've definitely hurt it.

Lobster outline

 Came back from this morning's walk with Arwen to find a very soggy lobster.

Made it all the way to the loch though.  There's been sheep in a field on the way recently so have given it a miss as i'd need to put Arwen on a lead.

Like I needed FM to tell me that I was the GOAT

 The Greatest

You became the greatest manager of all time

I guess getting Tonbridge promoted to the football league, Cambridge promoted to the Championship.  AA Gent winning the title and Europa league then 10 league and Champions league wins in a row with multiple undefeated seasons is all you need.

Winner

 My Tonbridge fantasy football league presented me with my engraved winners trophy on Sunday whilst watching the Chelsea vs Liverpool game in the opening weekend.

I won £120!

Unfortunately the winner has to pay for all the drinks!

Random pub crawl in Greenwich

 I took Tuesday afternoon off to go on a random pub crawl around Greenwich.  I haven't lived near there since 2006 I think.  Time has gone very quickly!

More produce

 All from our garden

Blackberry picking

 We're going to make a cheese cake this weekend.

Managed to smash my toe the other day

 I knew i'd bashed it but didn't bother looking as i'm always bashing into things.  The next day I had to clear the blood off the floor as I didn't realise the extent of the damage.  Don't think it's broken but I had to do some self surgery to remove the majority of the nail in the shower!

Some shots of the garden in the dark (lights)

 

I've been keeping Arwen guessing

 Flo and Arthur are at a play group at the other end of the town for most of the summer holidays so we have to drive.  To give something different for Arwen to run around in i've been taking her with me then stopping of at a different spot.  She was happy when she found a ball.  Good blackberrying spot too!

The things you do for love

 This is Arwen's favourite toy.

A squeaky lobster.

It's lasted a lot longer than they usually do.

If you look closely on of it's legs is missing.

I had to pull it out of her arse.

The things you do for love.

It's since lost another leg.

I've yet to find it.

Rugby at the rugby club

 After Tonbridge pride I popped into the rugby club to watch the England game.  What a pile of shit that was.  Not looking too promising for the world cup next month.

Tonbridge Pride

 We went to Tonbridge Pride a couple of weekends ago.  It was a bit of a wash out during the day but was still well attended.

Metallica and Guns n Rosses cover band!

 A couple of Fridays ago April spotted that there were a couple of covers bands playing at the forum.  I think I saw it before but didn't think anyone else would want to go.  Turns out April did so we booked a baby sitter and went along.  It was great!

Have I passed my probabtion?

 I've done 3 months at my current company today.  Nobody has said anything different so I assume i've passed it.  It's a years maternity cover and my contract is due to end at the end of May.  Only 10 months left.  It's a pretty long contract which is good but as it's a FTC and not a proper contracting job it pays less.  After all our bills are paid I don't have as much left as I used to do.  My mission is to get a proper outside IR35 role again once I finish this.

Company bbq

 We have a company bbq tomorrow.  It's in the garden of the CEO.  I think he just wants to show off how considerably richer he is than anyone.

It's near  Redhill where I can get a direct train so pretty good for me and I get half a day off.  The coach back to the station is at 7pm so will try and sneak off early.  It's about a 20 minute walk.

Monthly wine tasting / dinner party

 We had another of our wine tasting nights last Friday and it was good fun.  Each couple brings a couple of bottles of wine and makes one of the 3 courses.

Last rugby tots till September

 

We'll have to find something else for Arthur to do on Saturday mornings.  A lie in bed would be nice...

My attempt

 My attempt at a Gabby Cat pirate pancake.

Tree clearing

The trees at the bottom of the garden got trimmed back yesterday.  Should help with the tree debris we get every year.  Being in a conservation area we had to get planning permission.

 

Last session with our current GM

Our current GM is off to Uni soon so last night was our last session.  We were round mine so nice and easy.  I bought him a couple of DM books and one of our party ordered a model off Heroforge.  I wonder what happened to my model.  Must still be with Tim. 

We're going to do a number of one shots of Cyberpunk, followed by Rime of the Frostmaiden in September.

Before and after

 We finally managed to get Arwen booked into the groomers, she was pretty shaggy before.  Hopefully this will make her more comfortable in this lovely summer we're having.