3 good reasons to head down to Empire Avenue

Why, when I just stated a couple of posts down that my time was a pretty limited resource, have I recently been spending much of the free portion of it on an online stock exchange game? Couldn’t I be doing something more worthwhile? Probably. Is it just the contrary, self-destructive behaviour that everyone (I guess) indulges in from time to time? Well…I’m reserving judgement on that one for now. Yes, I’m unhealthily obsessed with my stock price. Of course I’ve got other things I should be getting on with. (Luckily, my boss is just as caught up in it as I am.) But I know the reasons why I’m loving being on Empire Avenue, and they’re good ones.

• I’m learning. This is like one of those great projects at school where you don’t even realise you’re taking in what’s in the teacher’s lesson plan because you’re having such a great time. You’re immersed in the practicalities of solving a problem and working towards a goal. And what I’m learning is fantastically useful, both for where I am right now and for whatever comes in the future.
• I’m inspired. Yeah, I already had a Twitter account but  never used it. Didn’t have a reason to. Suddenly, it might have an impact on my stock price and I’m willing to give it a second look and figure it out. And – right here – my very first blog. Always expected it would be kind of a burden to have to regularly post to a blog. Now I’m thinking up subjects to write about as I go about the (not very inspiring) daily housework, and I’m rediscovering a part of myself that hasn’t been seen since I left uni, burnt out from writing essays and exam papers. 
• I’m encountering cool people. By “cool”, I mean: interesting, imaginative, courteous, humorous. There’s a pleasant, laidback culture on Empire Avenue - people thank each other when they invest or follow, and return the favour. The fantastic variety of personalities, locations, interests keeps things interesting.
• I’m using my brain. A factor to consider, as I spend over half my time looking after home and children, which occupies your brain in an all-consuming but totally different way.  I love having Empire Avenue to dip into and make not-so-life-changing decisions like whether someone’s blog is worth endorsing, whether to sell as soon as the price starts dipping or hold out till Monday morning or the best phrasing for my 140-character ad.
• I’m having a great time! My husband and colleagues are also fighting to make the big time on Empire Avenue. I thrive on rivalry (sad but true) and love to win, so seeing my stock price going up steadily is pure bliss. I did nearly give up when I hit a bump during the third day. A few words of advice and, not least, starting this rambling excuse for a blog, got me back on track.

So all in all, Empire Avenue looks like a far better use of my time than, say, sitting on the couch watching TV. But hey, Desperate Housewives has just come on. Gotta go.

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