Always glad to help a fellow student. Before the invention of Tivo, I would set my VCR to tape my ABC soaps I am still addicted to. Here is how they affected my relationship with my family. If my soap didn't tape for any reason I was an absolute nightmare to deal with. I would yell, scream and throw a large temper tantrum. So my family would try and do their best to make sure my shows taped. If the power went out they would reset my VCR. To this day everyone knows that if I am watching soaps leave me alone. There is no point talking cause I am not listening. Some friends roll their eyes when I say I watch soaps, but I have been able to build some good relationships or find I had something in common with people because of them. I stareted watching Soaps to spend time with my visiting Grandma, I found a new bond with my cousins who went to colllege and became GH fans, they still ask what is going on. I bonded with a good friend at work over our love or disappointment to GH. Even at grocier stores clearks ask me whats happening on Soaps and who is still on when I buy a SOD. Soaps can bond but they can definetly make you a little crazy also. Hope this helps

When I was a SR in HS, my friends & I all hounded our Counselers for a schedule that would give us our lunch break during time ALL MY CHILDREN was on, then we'd pile in someone's car, go to one of our house's & watch the love between Tara/Phillip/Chuck.When I started a new position at a hospital, Ryan's Hope was just starting, again worked my lunch so I could go sit in a waiting area to watch.Then I went the VCR route, than Tivo, but now there's Soapnet, so I can spend 5 straight hours getting my fix of GH, AMC, OLTL or Y+R. But it's mostly the mainstay characters I watch, Tad,Erica etc on AMC, Luke/Laura/Scotty etc on GH, Vicki on OLTL. I've grown up with them, can identify with them & they've pretty much stayed true to character through all the ups/downs on any soap.It's part of my life, these soaps, started young & still going at it, so yep, guess it sorta addictive, much like Godiva Chocalate, it doesn't hurt anyone, easier than reading Danielle Steele & it takes me away, even for a short time from the daily grind of real life.'

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