Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about.

The effect of all this overstimulation meant that now I could watch almost anything at anytime. I had been de-sensitized by ESPN. I expected instant replay all the time, little boxscores in the corner of the screen and Chris Berman saying "back, back, back" and so forth.

I gave in to the temptation. My poor mother, used to waiting to serve dinner until the half was over, now had to wait for a line change, a qualifying heat and for that big Swedish dude to finish pulling the firetruck accross the line.

I often ate my dinner cold.

I still don't think you have an appreciation for what I'm talking about. It's not just real sports-- I've caught myself watching ice skating, NASCAR and pro bowling. Chicks playing nine-ball can be quality television, and, by the way, remember Roller Derby?

There is a deep psychological factor for this I'm sure. Recently, I have noticed it extends to beyond sports-- I think I just like watching competition. BattleDome, a newer form of American Gladiators, plays on this addiction I have for watching competition. I was watching it yesterday and I still have no idea what the hell they were doing.

How bad can it get? Sometimes, I watch my roommate playing Internet poker.