A yearly event...

[azurelunatic]

I did this last year, and I can do it this year. In fact, I think I may well do it every year.

The concept of a period of fasting, or self-denial of some kind, a regular one, is in many religions. I've seen the attraction, but never particularly participated, until one was thrust upon me last year -- an involuntary abstinance from wanking.

I'm participating in it again this year, for spiritual and personal growth and great justice. Patience. Patience is a virtue.

Many religions have their period of quiet and so forth in the dead times of the winter -- Wicca's is from Samhein to Yule. I am the backwards one, so I'm declaring my time of quiet from my birthday to the summer solstice. I should probably properly declare it from Beltane to the Summer Solstice, but that's when I have Things to Do.

Comments

[simoncion.livejournal.com]

Pardon my ignorance. What exactly do you mean by "wanking"?

[azurelunatic]

Your standard-issue British meaning, which is why the "not work-safe" cut tag.

[simoncion.livejournal.com]

Ah. Thanks for the clarification. ^_^

H8 teh Mushroom!

[tygerr.livejournal.com]

I had no difficulty with the word "wanking". I'm kinda scratching my head over the "involuntary" part, though.

So....how does *that* kind of abstinence come about *involuntarily*? (If it's not too personal, of course.)

[lasayla.livejournal.com]

The most common reason is lack of opportunity. Platonically sharing a bedroom at night (with a child or a college roommate, say) and having a lot of responsibilities during the day (like working long hours or constantly keeping an eye on that small child) can wipe out opportunities pretty quickly.

There's a gender difference too, since I know several guys who admit to enjoying a quick wank break in the men's room at work, while a woman is often more fussy, requiring accessories or at least somewhere more comfortable to sit. That stuff frequently happens by accident and shouldn't count as part of a self-denial period, imho.

Of course none of the above includes the little things like crossing your legs just right in tight jeans...

[azurelunatic]

When you're mystically being far too intrusive upon the privacy of someone else when the wanking is going on, and you can't figure out a way to ensure privacy for a while.

[azurelunatic]

There was means, opportunity, and motive. It was just that my usual routine had some nifty side effects involving the mystical violation of privacy.

You can imagine the "ARGH!" factor.

[tygerr.livejournal.com]

If you have time and opportunity to bathe, you have time and opportunity. (And I always figured the, uh, greater inherent neatness of the female anatomy--most of the month, anyway--might make impromptu "quickies" easier/more likely.)

I've always envied that whole "cross legs in tight jeans just right" thing. That's mostly just painful for guys. Not to mention *hugely* obvious....

[azurelunatic]

I am also a fan of tight jeans.

[azurelunatic]

Though if one is not entirely hair-trigger, and half-hour showers are just not on, then there isn't really enough time.

[tygerr.livejournal.com]

Ah, well, yes. 'Tis true that I sort of automatically assume showers last at least a half-hour and actual baths are an hour or so. I suppose there are probably a fair number of people for whom a quick shower takes less time than the quickest of quickies.

(Um, so how did we get back onto this old thread?)

[azurelunatic]

Whereas if one has a toddler and no backup, showers are hurried affairs that involve the quick soaping down and rinsing off while the thing is down for a nap, or involve the toddler also being in the shower, or something like that. If the kid isn't sound asleep, in which case, what is the parent doing awake too? ;)

(I re-read past years a month at a time. I'm behind on June, and behind on July; I should be preparing to re-read August at this point.)