Herbal Viagra

It's gone limp. I've heard about these things happening before, but usually it happens when you and the package are a little older. For a while now, it would stand tall by the time I was back home for work and would be ready for an action packed evening. So why is today any different? Maybe it hasn't been getting the nourishment that every unit requires, I'm just not sure. I could have consulted some of my friends (or their wives / girlfriends) to find out what they've done when this happens, but most of them are not available at the moments and, besides, it would be pretty embarrasing to talk about. I'd feel like a total failure. There must be some kind of supplement to help prevent this, but I like to keep it natural, so I'm wary of any of that stuff.

I mean, what's a guy supposed to do when his basil plants that he just bought last weekend are wilty? And don't even get me started on the thyme and oregano. I guess I'll water them and see what happens...

One of my fans asked me today "So what's the deal with this 'self-responsibility plan'?" I thought that I'd made it pretty clear on the blog and I directed him to go back and read it. But I realized that maybe I hadn't really explained it. In fact, I realized that maybe it's something very hard to communicate. But I'll give it a shot for the sake of my personal history:

The way I see it, I am a very lucky person. I live in one of the greatest places in the world, a place that offers me much much more than I will ever be able to draw from and appreciate. I have a job that I really enjoy, coworkers and bosses that I can learn from and get along with, and can't remember the last "bad day" I had at work. I am financially stable and am able to save a little bit each month for the future, whatever lies out there. I feel like work and my living environment has made my mind like a sponge again, yearning to learn new things, both technical (IDS stuff, data networking, etc.) and personal (Spanish & art, music, literature appreciation, etc.). I have good friends that get me to open up more and experience new ideas and things, I belong to a gym that offers me a variety of exercise and health alternatives (such as saunas) at all hours of the day, and I'm healthy (well, I could be worse in any case). Though I lack a few items, in particular on the social front, I'm a pretty lucky guy and am pretty happy about things right now.

If things are going this well and I have a world of opportunities on my doorstep, why do I take them for granted? Why do I accidently sleep in until - let's just say 'late' - during the work week on more than one occassion? Why do I sit at home and watch TV at night when it's warm and beautiful outside? When I've been blessed with high metabolism and a tall, lean figure, why do I let my body go to waste? These are the types of things that the self-responsibility plan address. I kicked it off by promising myself to get up at 6:30 every morning during the week, no matter how miserable I am at that hour. I also pledged to do yoga, pilates, and a cardio class once a week, excusable only for social circumstances, in particular those involving members of the other gender. I also pledged to dedicate some time every week to studying for a technology certification test and cracking open my Spanish practice book.

Now these are just baby steps, but I think I'm on the right path, and I think it's been helping me out mentally. In fact, one part of the pact that was initially (and purposely ;o) left out involved my living conditions in my apartment, especially things like picking up after myself and doing dishes. However, I am pleased to say that for some really, really strange reason unbeknownst to me, I have been very clean all week, cleaning up my apartment every night and doing dishes every night. In addition, I have become more financially responsible. I've made wholesome, creative meals for myself or a guest or two every night (Lentil & Sausage Stew, leftovers, grilled cheese sandwiches on organic, fresh bread, and a pasta with a new marinara sauce) and have been preparing a lunch for myself every morning. Finally, I am challenging my usual evening schedule by exercising my mind and body by studying and going to the gym, or rollerblading in the park.

Bla, that's the long winded answer. It probably makes no sense to anybody else, but it makes sense to me, and that's crucial!

J.