For Mr. Mark Blaine -- Assignment #1

FOR THE AUDIO FILE OF THIS BLOG ENTRY, GO HERE:
http://uoregon.edu/~rpurice/PreFlux/Blog1forBlaine.mov

So you couldn't listen, could you? Now, was it just mere curiosity that got the best of you, or were you simply tempted by the idea that I might actually steal your soul? Or perhaps, it was your curiosity that led you into temptation. You know, they do say curiosity killed the cat, but do you know what they say about temptation? “Temptation is like a knife, that may either cut the meat or the throat of a man; it may be his food or his poison, his exercise or his destruction.” Hmmm, neither option sounds that great, so, I just thought I'd give you a fair warning.

Now, let's begin, shall we?

Falling asleep at six o'clock in the evening is not exactly on my list of "Great Ways to Start Out the New Year" -- Not that I have such a list, but if I did, it wouldn't be on there. Lo and behold though, in spite of heavy protests against my own body, I found myself dozing off into dreamland way before my bedtime nearly every day this week. By mid-week, I had had enough! So, after twenty-two years of abstinence, I decided that it was about time to finally give in to everyone's drug of choice -- The bitter potion we can thank the Arab world for -- No, not oil, caffeine. Yes, Mr. Howard Schultz and all his Starbucks employees could have gone to sleep peacefully on Tuesday knowing that they may have corrupted yet another soul into a life-long addiction -- But thankfully that wasn't the case, so let's not jump to conclusions before I tell you the rest of my story.

So, after ordering my first cup of black coffee at Starbucks -- Yes, it was such a momentous occasion that not only did the barista feel compelled to congratulate me, he nearly broke out in a "Happy Birthday" tune, until he realized it was not exactly the appropriate song for the occasion. Come to think of it, perhaps someone should come up with a song for Starbucks coffee virgins! But before we get even more side tracked, what did actually happen after I bravely consumed my first Starbucks black coffee without any sugar at all? Well, the bitter antidote that seems to perk up the rest of America in the morning didn't have quite the same effect on me. Let's just say that within 15 minutes of consuming my $1.40, 8 ounce-cup of utter bitterness, I practically transcended from a sleepy state into a sleep coma. The caffeine put me to sleep quicker than a baby's lullaby or a warm cup of milk. Perhaps, I need not worry about that long-life addiction after all! I am serious, I crashed on my living room couch only to wake up a stomachache and a bad taste in my mouth about two hours later.

Hopefully one can easily see why it didn't take me long to give up on caffeine. The next day I decided to finally start implementing what I have been avoiding since my freshman year of college -- A rigorous exercise program that would give me the much needed energy my body has lately been failing to produce. So not only did I sign up for a weightlifting, a yoga, a fitness, and a jogging classes, I decided to also keep track of everything I eat. My plan is to go see a nutritionist in a few weeks to make sure I am eating enough of the foods that usually keep one energized past six o'clock in the evening. Although, I am pretty sure that it's the lack of exercise in my life and not my diet that's making me tired. I've always eaten quite healthy actually, except perhaps my junior year of college when I gained thirty-five pounds -- but I have certainly learned from that mistake. Never again will I order take-out at three in the morning! Mark my words: Never again!

So, in my pursuit of a healthy lifestyle, I decided that it's also about time to set things right with the Man upstairs. That's right, I am talking about God! After all, what's healthy body without a healthy mind? And you can't really have a healthy mind if your soul is not at ease! At least, that's my opinion. This week, among the gym, the library was also one of my stops. While browsing the library catalogs for a book called "Man's Search for Meaning," I came across C.S. Lewis' best-selling classic "Mere Christianity," and one not-so-familiar title, "But That I Can't Believe." I had read "Mere Christianity" before or at least I thought I did. A few years ago, I read a book in Romanian whose title translates closely to "Mere Christianity." I never actually finished the Romanian version, and I wanted to find out if this was indeed the same book. When it came to the second book on the shelf, my curiosity got the best of me and made me reach for it -- What was it that the author could not believe? I had to find out!

I started reading both books right and was completely and utterly enthralled. Neither author falls short of genius. I have always been a spiritual person who has struggled with religion somewhat, and so far both of these books are helping me understand my struggle a little bit better. In fact, these books have gotten me so excited that I have been keeping track of my favorite passages, which I plan to post for my friends in a Facebook note. No, I won't post them on this blog, because I don't wish to end up with a bunch of soulless friends! OK, fine, since I brought it up, I might as well explain the name of this blog. I promise I won't steal your soul, even though you didn't listen and went ahead and read this blog. Witchcraft does not fare so well with the Man upstairs and since I am trying to rekindle my relationship with Him, it would not exactly be a good idea to pick up any magic tricks per se. So, rest assured that when you are done reading this blog, you will still have a soul -- That is, of course, if you had one to begin with :) Ouch! OK, that may have been a bit mean, but just in case it may be true, don't worry, I am sure there is hope for you! Come to think of it, reading "Mere Christianity" might actually help alleviate that problem!

OK, that's all I have for now. Until next time, if there shall be such a time -- Wish me luck with my exercise routine and my soul-searching experience! Or even better, just send a little prayer for me to the Big Guy upstairs! Hey, at least you will have done your good deed for the day :)