Re: >^..^< The cats on Candlemas 2008

On Saturday, in article
     <e0d06f7f-961b-4128-afed-d51df84eb5bd@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
     adoptsoldcats@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 "Harry Mary Andruschak" wrote:

> Nothing new to re****t. Still looking for a new home for Pumpkin. Still
> have to be careful not to let Fluffy or Silver slip into Pumpkin's
> room as that results in a nasty fight. And still enjoying spending the
> night in bed with the cats. (Insert usual crude jokes here.)
> 
> @[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> 
> A few years ago, in this or another newsgroup, I joked that I was
> giving up *** for Lent, including even masturbation. Although this was
> intended ONLY as a joke on myself and my Eunuch condition, it
> nonetheless offended a few people. Sorry about that.
> 
> So here it is, 2008, the shoe is on the other foot, and what do I give
> up for Lent? Seriously.
> 
> Hmmm...I am more or less fasting six days a week throughout the year
> already. I abstain on Mondays as atonement for the sin of abortion in
> the world. (This is encouraged by the Bishops). Leaving what?

Atoning for another person's sins? This strikes me as bizarre.

> Coffee. Or rather, that delicious flavoured coffee. From Starbucks and
> other places. Coffee with French Vanilla flavouring is my favourite,
> but I can down Cappuchino with the best of them, and a local gas
> station sells a white chocolate caramel that I like to sip while
> driving to work. So I give up all that for 40 days and stick to plain
> old decaf coffee.
> 
> Although it could be argued that drinking the coffee served at AA
> meetings is penance enough.

Is Lent about giving something up, or about doing something special? 
I've one of those fuzzy memories of a past conversation that suggests 
that the idea of "giving up X for Lent" is an over-simplification.

-- 
David G. Bell -- SF Fan, Filker, and Punslinger.

On the horizon, a carrier task force of the Salvation Navy was 
turning into the wind, preparing to launch Zeppelins.