:I’ve seen you rushing to the library or your dorm room during your 15-minute breaks between classes to check for new items in the Facebook news feed or the always fun, red, bold-lettered, “New Friend Request” links on your MySpace homepage.

But friends, at the risk of sounding Bradshaw-esque: When it comes to Web site addictions, what have these so-called networking tools ever really done for us?

There are simply better addictions out there. “The Real Housewives of Orange County,” for example. Or even “The Hills.” “Breaking Bonaduce” is always mind-blowing. In the Internet world, though, there’s only one addiction truly worth your while: Craigslist.

I have Craig and his list to thank for my centrally located, affordable yet cute, one bedroom apartment. I owe to him my waitressing gig at Asian Cajun Bistro. I acquired, through Craig, my kitchen baker’s rack with cutting board surface. And I’ve given him countless hours of my life in exchange for seedy entertainment.

If you’re tired of looking at pictures of your drunk friends for hours, there’s tons to do on Craigslist.

Browse the “Missed Connections” board to find out if someone saw you jogging down St. Charles Avenue or strutting with your dog at the park but didn’t have the nerve to approach you. Make way for new romantic fantasies in your life involving a handsome man who sees you smoking a cigarette outside Z’otz and races home to declare his love via Craig.

In a silly mood? The “Casual Encounters” forum is always great for a hearty laugh. This board reveals some of the more twisted sexual fantasies of New Orleanians and is always good for reminding oneself exactly why one carries mace in this city, even in broad daylight. I do warn though, don’t frequent the “Casual Encounters” if you’re fresh out of a painful breakup. You’re fragile, on the rebound and things could get scary.

The Community Board is a little more vanilla (and consequently not always as interesting), but give it a chance. Every once in awhile you can catch a classic Uptowner cyber catfight over dog training methods or proper etiquette at The Fly.

And who could forget the Rants and Raves board, totally devoid of raves and dominated by angry rants. Don’t click this link expecting restaurant reviews or raves about the newest coffee shop. This forum is typically filled with inappropriate posts about race, political corruption and social problems. It’s likely run by bored, racist computer geeks who have found solace in the anonymity of Craig and the ability to pump out politically incorrect garbage with no repercussions. Fun to read though.

Then of course there are the practical, not as fun forums like “jobs,” “for sale” and “housing.”

Personally, even with a decent job, plenty of furniture, a roof over my head and a great boyfriend, Craigslist keeps me coming back for more multiple times a day. Need to fill an empty space in your apartment, garage or heart? Craig will be there for you, on-call 24-7 with his ever-expanding list of fun.