Lent

OnWingedFeet · Post by **OnWingedFeet** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 7:11 am

Well, Ash Wednesday is this week, and that marks the start of the season of Lent. Being Catholic, my family observes the tradition that each person gives up something important to them during this season. My self-sacrifice this year, as usual, will be abstaining from cels. This means especially buying new cels, but also looking through others' galleries or the forums. I was wondering if there are any other collectors out there who do the same thing. Or, if you don't give up cels but something else that is interesting, post that too.

Oh, and because of my cel fast, I won't be around over the next several weeks. Of course, most people wouldn't even notice because I'm pretty much just a lurker. But in our family we follow the tradition that on Sundays you are exempt from your sacrifice, which means I will be around once a week.

pastatdude · Post by **pastatdude** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:57 am

I'm not even going to try to give up cels, because I'd just fail miserably. Instead, I'm giving up alcohol. Hehe. This will be a good test for me, since my birthday falls right smack in the middle of Lent.

Not Sir Phobos · Post by **Not Sir Phobos** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 12:17 pm

Good luck to your Lent. It's healthy to do this once in a while. I wouldn't go as far as the guy in 40days and 40 nights though

Kitt · Post by **Kitt** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:11 am

Ah, Lent. It sure was a lot easier to observe properly when I was still in my parents' household. Nowadays, I live on my own, and managed, just barely, last year to not make something with meat on a Friday (well, I did make it but didn't eat it, remembering abstinence at the very last minute!) My boss is Jewish (and rather an agnostic one, if that makes any sense at all) and my coworker is something of a fallen away Protestant, so they just don't get it when I observe fast and abstinence. I try to keep it private and low-key, but they seem inordinantly fascinated by it. Weird!

As for giving something up... I'm going to try for (most) sweets -- again. Cookies, cake, pie, etc. Cels, chocolate or coffee I know I'm not strong enough *wince*, and alcohol (since it was mentioned) in my case would be pointless as I have a glass of wine maybe once every six months (not much of a sacrifice, huh?)

I'm also going to try a positive observance, as well -- trying to pray the rosary a bit more often than I do normally, at least during Lent. I'll be dedicating those rosaries for the repose of my mom's soul, as she passed away (so unexpectedly and horribly suddenly) last August.

Lent is going to be a bit rougher than usual on me because of that, this year, I think. (After all these months, I still sometimes just break down in tears during Mass.)

*blush* Okay, probably more than you wanted to know...

tex-chan · Post by **tex-chan** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:15 am

*hugs Kitt*

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:15 am

I do not understand.

Baakay · Post by **Baakay** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:43 am

Cloud wrote:I do not understand.

It's those complicated human emotions you so often refer to, Cloud. It's very, very hard to lose a parent. 13 years later I still miss my mom every day. *hugs Kitt too*

I know Sensei gives up cels for Lent.

I'm not Catholic, but when I was in high school I used to give up chocolate for Lent to keep my best girlfriend company

Looking at my increasing middle-aged girth I'm thinking that might be a decent idea for this year too!

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:43 am

I am sorry to hear that you are not Catholic but when I was in high school I used to give up chocolate for Lent to keep my best girlfriend company smile Looking at my increasing middle-aged girth. What is this "thinking"?

Kitt · Post by **Kitt** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:54 am

*hugs Tex-chan back*

*hugs Baakay back*

*hugs Baakay for her mom, too*

Thank you so much! It's nice to know I'm not just some weak-willed wimp that it's still devastating me so often.

*hugs Cloud*

It's okay, lil bot. Not something anyone should ever have to understand. Obviously we humans are still struggling to understand it all, too.

irmgaard · Post by **irmgaard** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:24 pm

Kitt wrote:managed, just barely, last year to not make something with meat on a Friday

On a more frivolous note, St Patrick's Day falls on a Friday in Lent this year, and many bishops in the US have elected to grant a dispensation from abstinence for this feast day. Check with your local diocese.

Post by **sensei** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 7:33 pm

Does that mean I can buy cels on St. Patrick's Day?

Yes, like On Winged Feet, I give up both buying and browsing for cels. It always amazes me how much extra time that gives me to think about and do other things. It seems like a little thing ... just to break the tension of grading papers or doing a class plan, let's see what's going up on Mandarake ... wonder what's new on YJ ... oh, here's someone opening a gallery for offers, maybe he's got something I'd like ... and so on.

I plan to use at least some of the time in exercise, which I've sadly neglected. I have a mighty index finger (my laptop has the red button style mouse), but the rest of my system is pretty pathetic. Just a walk around the block instead of the usual walk around YJ might make a bit of difference.

And I also give up peanut butter ... which makes my system cry for mercy along about the 24th day of Lent ... but I know it's one of my Waterloos.

I won't quit Beta, though, and I'll have a good time looking at other galleries and doing the annual refurbishing and housecleaning on mine. Watch for a little clearance sale during the period: I'm going to look hard at what I'm likely to continue to collect and what's not going anywhere.

It's a good custom whatever religion you practice. And "Lent" means "Lengthening Days," so every one of the 40 days is a step into Spring.

Gonzai · Post by **Gonzai** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:11 pm

No meat for me until Easter. Nothing but veggies.

But on the St. Patrick's Day note, I still am not sure I
agree with that. But, that is just me.

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:12 pm

Interesting. Ah.

Baakay · Post by **Baakay** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:19 pm

Pudge wrote:No meat for me until Easter. Nothing but veggies.

and another very good idea.

Heard at work today:

IT guy (sticking head into my office): Happy Fat Tuesday!

Me: Craig... for me EVERY Tuesday is a fat one!

(sorry...them's the jokes).

Cloud · Post by **Cloud** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:20 pm

What about the other ones?