This article from thisislondon.co.uk shows what the struggle to attain a size zero is like. Quite a detailed and eye-opening look at extreme dieting. The idea that anyone would support weight loss (or gain) so drastic that it may severely damage the dieter's health, or even result in death, just boggles my mind. I wish the model example was one of healthy moderation, and not of dangerous extreme.
I'm a little strange when it comes to holidays; I like to celebrate them after they're over. Christmas? I don't bother with it until the 1/2 off sales have started up. Valentine's Day? Yeah, get back to me on that the following weekend. Halloween? Candy tastes better when it's a third off normal price, and the props are just as fun the next day (and the local kids love having one more house to visit the evening after, in or out of costume).
To be honest, my frugal nature does factor into this approach. However, it's not the only reason for my belated holidays. I've got a bad ticker, and stress just makes that situation worse. Celebrating the day (or week) after cuts out the usual hustle and bustle of shopping, that's for certain. My friends and family enjoy getting a few extra gifts after all the noise has died down, and like having the extra time/savings when it comes to giving something back.
Although I go out of my way to be generous (albeit in a belated sort of way), I don't mind getting fewer gifts than I give. I've always said the best gift I can receive is an invitation to dinner for some good food, drinks, and company. I find the memories I get from such occassions far outvalue the standard holiday presents. I'll take a leisurely picnic outdoors, followed by an evening at the local coffee shop, over an overpriced piece of jewelry any day.
Maybe I'm weird... but I like to enjoy my holidays alternating between celebration and relaxation, not stress and exhaustion.
NIN has an interesting ARG that's just started. The upcoming album, Year Zero (due for release on April 17, 2007), has a viral marketing campaign/ARG called I am Trying to Believe attached to it. The campaign is being run by 42 Entertainment, the company responsible for ARGs like The Beast and i love bees. The game has just started, but it's already generated a fair amount of buzz at places like unfiction and echoingthesound.
There's already a few official sites up for it: http://iamtryingtobelieve.com/, http://anotherversionofthetruth.com/, http://bethehammer.net/, http://105thairbornecrusaders.com/, http://churchofplano.com/, http://www.consolidatedmailsystems.com/nooneimportant/, and http://www.consolidatedmailsystems.com/citizen_unknown/.
There's also a wiki that's just been started called It's in the Water.
Looks like it'll be a fun year for fans of ARGs and NIN alike.
So, I finally decided to break down and get myself a blog. I'm not sure what will end up here (besides occassional rants, links, and musings), but this looks like a neat place to tinker around with. I'm off to take a look around, and get settled in.
