My First Computer: A Love-Hate Relationship with Dial-Up and Warcraft 3

Daily Blog: Write about your first computer.

Daily Blog Post: Graphix and Grit Write about your first computer

Ah, the glorious days of dial-up internet—where connecting to the online world meant listening to a horrific symphony of screeches and static, only to be met with 1400+ ping and a whole lot of regret.

Being born in 1990, I didn’t get my hands on a computer until I was about 14 years old, and let me tell you, it was a game-changer—literally. I dove headfirst into Warcraft 3, thinking I was about to become a pro RTS player, only to realize that my internet connection had other plans. With a ping that ranged from 1400 to “might as well be playing by mail”, every battle felt like a test of patience and sheer willpower.

To make matters worse, my wife, who was just a friend back then (though clearly a menace even then), would call my house phone just to disconnect me from the game. And she LOVED it. I’d be mid-battle, carefully planning my next move, when suddenly—poof—disconnected. I’d hear the phone ringing and just know that somewhere, she was laughing while I was on the verge of launching my monitor out the window. Good times, right?

Somewhere in between lagging out of games and screaming at my modem, I started dabbling in video editing—making World of Warcraft videos like I was the next big YouTube sensation (spoiler: I wasn’t). This is when I first discovered Photoshop, digital art, and design, which eventually spiraled into a full-blown passion for creating, designing, and—fast forward—becoming the entrepreneur I am today.

So yeah, what started as rage-quitting Warcraft 3 turned into a lifelong love of design, art, and creative chaos. And now, here I am, running Tommy Designs, creating fashion, art, and gaming-inspired apparel, and somehow still holding a grudge against dial-up internet.

If you’re into fashion, art, gaming apparel, or just enjoy watching someone reminisce about their trauma with bad internet, check out my blogs and products on Tommy Designs. Who knows? You might find something that speaks to your inner gamer, designer, or rage-filled, dial-up survivor.