I just discovered something depressing. I am an addict. It’s not drugs or alcohol or food. No, I am an e-mail addict.

I read two articles earlier this week, both on slate.com. One was about the writer’s quest for the perfect morning routine (www.slate.com/id/2204360/), the other about why it shouldn’t be necessary for President-elect Obama to give up his Blackberry (www.slate.com/id/2205115/) .

Both articles included quotes from experts about checking your e-mail. In the first, I learned that I shouldn’t check my e-mail until I have been awake for an hour and have accomplished something non-e-mail related. In the latter, I learned I should check my e-mail a maximum of two times a day.

I check my e-mail a minimum of four times a day - once when I first get up, once in the afternoon after classes, once in the evening and once right before I go to bed. And if I’m waiting to hear on something, it can easily reach six, seven times a day.

I had never considered this to be a problem. I like that I’m easily accessible and that people know where to reach me. But apparently, this love of e-mail is decreasing my potential productivity.

I conducted a mini-experiment earlier in the week. I packed up my computer at 9 Wednesday morning. My trains home were naturally late. I got in at midnight, and the next morning I went right to the Troy Turkey Trot and then my aunt’s house. I didn’t check my e-mail again until 3 Thursday afternoon.

And I was fine. I didn’t twitch or have any feelings of withdrawal. I also didn’t feel any more productive than usual. So, I think I will stay an e-mail addict.

In other news, tonight, historically, would be the largest nighttime parade in the Northeast: The Gazette Holiday Parade. Some of my favorite (and coldest) childhood memories take place at that parade. I was even in it a few years.

I was on a float with a bunch of my cousins and we had a Christmas tree. Sadly, the tree was taller than the tunnel we had to go under. The crowd went silent as we attempted to make it through. The tree tipped, tipped, tipped and finally we made it through. The crowd went wild. For me, that embodies the parade.

Anyway, last year the parade was moved up a week and it was this year too. I would love to see it return to its original night. It’s the kickoff of the holiday season. The week before Thanksgiving is just too early, although, I heard it was a fabulous time for everyone. I wish I could have been there.