Complex Numbers

Recharging

There are, I'm told, people who are recharged in social situations. They become brighter, more confident, and happier when they're in a group.

I'm not one of these people.

I'm recharged by spending time alone. It keeps me from having to wear one of my masks all the damn time.

In the past couple of weeks, while I haven't been posting in here, I've managed to lose a bunch of pounds by exercising and a careful diet, my back pain has diminished to the point where it's almost always bearable, I've started taking pills for my cholesterol problem, and I've gotten back control over some financial planning. At the same time, I've been avoiding people in real life, except for a poker game and what's necessary for work. I had a chance to reset my OWN expectations, rather than living for the expectations of others.

In other words, it's not you; it's me.

The one price I pay is I'm finding myself smoking cigars more often. I know I'm not physically addicted, yet - believe me, I know what nicotine addiction and withdrawal feel like, and there's no way in hell I want to go there ever again - but it's my way of tricking myself into thinking I'm doing something "wrong" in one area so I can let myself be "right" in the areas of physical - and fiscal - fitness.

Life's just not worth living without some sort of vice, and the other traditional ones are fattening, more immediately fatal, or grounds for divorce - or all of the above.

Those of you in Tourn-a-Rounds - sorry for the delay. I expect to post results, and the next round, before the end of the week.

Edited to Add:

By the way, if you would like to reproduce my (so far, temporary) success in weight loss, perhaps this article will help:

http://www.cracked.com/article_15982_5-horrifying-food-additives-youve-probably-...

After that, I wouldn't be surprised if everyone went on a hunger strike.