Ooh, Sugar Sugar...

So, I've made a commitment: because I'm not getting any thinner and because I'm beginning to notice a difference in how I feel now vs. how I felt in high school... AND because, by God, I must start somewhere... I've decided to modify my diet.

My comitment: for two weeks, no sugar.

No desserts, no candy, no soft drinks. No sugary cereal, no sweetened tea or coffee. No office donuts. No carrot cake that Carey baked the other day and will now have to be thrown out (because Carey's decided she's on board as well). Also, Carey informed me that white breads and bread products convert immediately to sugar, so I'm limiting those too.

The two weeks could extend to a month, should I so choose. We'll see. The main thing is, I want to see if a diet change makes a whit of difference in my day-to-day.

And, obviously, I can't cut out all sugar. Fruit is fine, for example. I've also decided that it's okay if sugar is an ingredient in something, as long as it's not that something's raison d'etre. For example, Cocoa Puffs are out, but Raisin Bran is still okay. Yeah, Raisin Bran has some sugar added, but come on. (Though last night, I did have some instant oatmeal and I think that may have been closer to the line than I'd like to stay).

But, hey, look at me with the diet change. What am I, responsible?

I've been at it for a few days and, to be honest, it's not been that hard. We'll see.
...

I really don't feel as if I've changed all that much in the last five or six years. I'm still sort of funny, still a drab dresser, still registered Independent with conservative leanings, still read comics for cripe's sake... But sometimes it takes a visit from an old friend will cause me to stop and take inventory.

Dave and Johanna Matheny dropped in on their way to and from Hawaii. Both are dear chums from college and it was a delight to spend the better part of a day with them. We showed them the town... well, Long Beach... well, our section of Long Beach... well, our house... they gave us News from Back Home and they stayed just long enough to make us miss Ohio, just a little.

And, sure as eggs is eggs, we found ourselves discussing God and Faith and The World and the Human Condition on into the the early morning. I won't post the content of the conversation, nor will I post my current philosophies on the matter... frankly, I haven't even decided what my current philosophies are... suffice it to say that both Dave and Jo were very understanding and they actually bothered to listen, which is something that most Christians, myself included, never stop to do.
...

Kirk Millett, a good friend and ridiculously talented colleague, has recently completed a web cartoon called "Souvenir" and it's way too gorgeous to be the work of one man. Designed, illustrated, animated, produced, and scored by Kirk, I think it's the best stuff he's done.

Take a look.

If you like it, drop him a note and tell him I sent you. He'd really appreciate it. And, come on: he's earned it.
...

Oh, and in the spirit of Valentine's Day here are some Valentine's Day eCards that, I think, capture the true spirit of the season. (Unless you're reading this and your name happens to be Carey Bear, in which case I think this site is horrible and sad. I mean, don't people understand romance these days? Honestly!)

posted by Jeremy Bear 10:03 AM

---