Despite my best attempts, it happened. I got hooked on the Cricket World Cup as a result of prolonged exposure to the nail-biting game between the Black Caps and Australia last weekend.
The highs, lows and eventual ecstasy as the game concluded finally broke down my defences and my body and brain were no longer under my control.
Watching Brendon McCullum trying to carry on with a badly injured arm, and witnessing a Boult of lightening expose the vulnerability of Australia's batting line-up and then stand with fortitude in front of one of their fast bowlers to survive two deliveries unscathed was intense.
There I was, oscillating between a state of screaming and stunned silence, from jumping up and down to sitting on the edge of my seat, from squeezing all the life out of the couch cushions to throwing them joyously in the air, to covering my eyes as each ball was delivered to peeping through my fingers to see Kane Williamson finally put an end to my prolonged agony, hitting Mitchell Starc for six.
I haven't experienced that kind of emotional roller coaster for some time and, boy, was it fun.
This weekend's game between New Zealand and Afghanistan won't have as much history as any game against our neighbour but it will still be a significant game in a tournament at which every game counts.
The Black Caps are obviously hometown darlings but the Afghanis are the fairytale favourites. It's a miracle that this war-torn country even qualified for the World Cup.
The cricket on offer in Napier may not be of the same calibre as we saw last weekend, but there are still some things to look forward to: characters, individual brilliance, team resilience, and hopefully another solid (and ultimately more consistent?) performance from the Black Caps.
Afghanistan did a great job of beating Scotland by one wicket, and should not be taken too lightly.
Mohammad Nabi, the Afghanistan captain, has overcome some horrific and traumatising experiences to lead his team in this tournament and he won't lie down.
He is joined in his mission to upset the locals by flamboyant paceman Hamid Hassan, who will no doubt entertain the crowd with his headband on, war paint applied and cartwheels in action.
It will also be interesting to see if the youngest player at the tournament, Usman Gani, will perform with that exuberance and feeling of being bulletproof that most youngsters have.
It will also be great to see Captain Fantastic, McCullum, back in action after being pronounced fit to play.
No-one wants to see the Black Caps take Afghanistan too lightly and this is an opportunity to work out some of the kinks, and get some of the players who haven't fired yet to do so.
We all love an underdog story, and to see David beating Goliath every now and then, but just not this weekend. I don't think my nailscan take another thrashing.
