I never was one for computer games. My fiance, a gamer through and through, tried unsuccessfully to turn me on to game after game. My first experience with a computer game was Might and Magic, in its first incarnation in the early 90's.

  I was an undergraduate at the time, with hardly time enough to attend my classes, stay up all night studying or writing papers, and experimenting with---well, you get the picture. I DID NOT have the time to play games.

  This did not stop my roommate Pete from showing me his copy of Might and Magic on his little ten inch Apple computer. I was instantly hooked, and stole every moment possible to play my character (whose name rhymes with itch, and it's not Witch) until she was practically unstoppable.

  She had weapons galore and unbelievable strength, although she was a little short on charm (as you can well imagine). She could kill dragons and vampires and goblins, for Pete's sake! I frequently would sit down at Pete's computer with every intention of writing that comparative literature paper. Or that twenty page philosophy of language paper.

  Instead, I would find myself helplessly drawn in to the little black and white world of mortal combat with all sorts of imaginary creatures, frequently until I noticed the sun peeking over the horizon and my bladder screaming for release.

  After Pete moved out, I swore off computer games for good. I successfully managed to avoid them, in spite of living with a dedicated gamer for the better part of a decade. Until now.

  I caught him playing The Sims, a virtual, programmable world of people, their houses and neighborhoods. It is, for all intensive purposes, the biggest and best dollhouse ever.

  You can program your person's clothes, house, career (including theives, deadbeats or upright military types.) You can pick out their furniture, you can foster friendships, you can be robbed, all sorts of things you couldn't do with that dollhouse you got for Christmas all those years ago.

  This game is gender free, too. My fiance normally plays Everquest with the dedication of a monk, and is a big fan of games that involve lots of weapons and deadly skill, and he LOVES this game. I had to check it out for myself.

  I have been, in my defense, managing my time far better than I did as an undergraduate. But, I will admit, I have sneaked a few hours here and there to tinker around with this most wonderful of all virtual dollhouses that's even better than a dollhouse.

  Check it out for yourself and please give me an excuse for being once again addicted to a computer game. Their official website has several little promo gadgets that you can play with before you decide to take the plunge. Indulge yourself and escape from the farce that is our governmental procedure these days!