As with many situations like this, I don't remember exactly how I was introduced to FlightControl. For all I know, it just magically showed up on my iPhone, as if the iPhone game fairy magically came out of the sky to install it for me without my knowledge. At least that's what I'd like to believe.

But what I do remember was the exact turning point of when I became an addict.

What started out as a "friendly" competition between my buddy Ray and I quickly escalated into an epic battle. We gave each other set hours to beat each other's scores, and when one couldn't best the other, they owed a dollar.

But it was more of a battle of ego instead of money, because no amount of money could replace the feeling of disrupting someone else's life by forcing them to try to top your score.

Although my retirement wasn't official until today, I've known for some time that this was the right decision to make. I just didn't have it in me anymore. To fill the void left by FlightControl, I've recently taken up Pilates, and have taken a keen interest in TLC's Jon and Kate Plus 8. Fortunately, I won't be the only one coping with the post game-retirement blues, as TUAW's very own C-Mac will be holding her own retirement ceremony later this week for Hell's Kitchen (iTunes link) as well.