DAY ZERO: The 30 in 30 Introduction

In 24 hours, 30 in 30, Part Deux will begin (Well, depending on when you read this). Now for those that know or recall, 30 in 30 is a blog marathon I did almost two years ago on my MySpace blog. It was a 30-blog marathon that ended on my 30th birthday. It was my own personal way of documenting the arrival of that momentous birthday, because let’s be honest, not many Black men make it to the ripe old age 30 with their credit intact, no kids, no jail bid or open cases (LOL). I’m kidding, but I’m still saying though….

The whole thing went over pretty well so I figured, why not do it again? It’d be a great way to promote Naked With Socks On. But in the two months that I’ve been doing this site, I went from blogging 5-6 days a week to blogging damn near every day, essentially making Naked With Socks On a daily blog. That realization basically took a bit of the “specialness” out of doing the whole 30 blogs in 30 days thing again. It’s like, Uh, you been blogging for 30 days straight already so what’s the big deal? I needed something momentous in my life again for it to make any sense and that’s where the whole fasting-no sex-no alcohol thing came in. But that wasn’t something I just thought of to make 30 in 30 work, I actually had planned to do a fast since last year.

See, last year I witnessed a real good friend of mine fast for Ramadan. It was a sacrifice she and many Muslims make every year as a sign of devotion to Allah (God). It includes not eating or drinking (even water) during daylight hours, abstaining from sex, liquor, smoking and any other physical or mental impurities (i.e. negative thoughts). I had heard of Ramadan before but had no idea what it entailed, but watching my friend do this everyday, even when she overslept and missed breakfast, was inspiring to me. It showed me her dedication to something higher than herself and her own strength of character. To her it was just something she did as part of her life, but for me it was something I had never heard or seen before. In passing one day, I said that I’d like to try it next year. She probably thought I was kidding, but I was (clearly) serious because “next year” is now tomorrow.

Now let me clarify something before I proceed any further. I’m not trying to convert to the Muslim faith, nor am I in any way trying to disrespect anyone that is Muslim by partaking in Ramadan. Furthermore, what I’m doing is not a “gimmick” to promote my blog. I wouldn’t disrespect my friend or her religion (or anyone else’s) like that. I’m just in a stage in my life where I’m looking for change and to learn more about who I am as a person. My recent vacation was further proof to me that there is more about me that I can learn.

This 30-day fast isn’t about not eating, not drinking or not having sex—those are only small aspects of what the next month has in store for me. It’s about 30 days of discipline and mental strength. I’m a night owl by nature, but I’ll have to wake up around 5:30am each morning to eat, drink and pray before sunrise. I’ve already been waking up earlier since coming back from Aruba, and I’ve seen that there is so much more I get done in those early morning hours that I used to sleep through. I’ve also been meaning to up my at home workout plan beyond just the weekends and swimming lessons, so I look forward to making my workout part of my morning ritual during the fast. (Hey, if I’m gonna be Naked With Socks On I might as well be fit, right?) I’ve also asked another good friend if I can accompany her to mass each Sunday to strengthen my spiritual side even further during the next 30 days. See, this is definitely much bigger than a mere blog series. I’m drastically adjusting my life in search of a goal higher than myself, and that’s self-understanding. Sure, some might say I can obtain that through other means, but this is my life and what I chose to do despite how hard it may or may not be.

Now I’ll admit that initially I planned to make my own rules for the fast, like drink water during the day to satiate my hunger or chew gum to combat the pesky halitosis that often comes along with non-eating (no need to worry, you’re allowed to chew/suck on cloves), and possibly eat past sunrise if I woke up late one morning. But I’ve spent the past few days looking further into the practice of Ramadan to get all the specifics, and I realize that I can’t go into this experience with that mind state because that in itself would be disrespectful and a recipe for failure. So all the personal loopholes are out the window and I plan to abide by the rules to the best of my ability. I have no idea how my body will react to everything or how I’ll mentally get through it, but those that know me know that I’m the type of person that whenever my mind is set on something it gets done. So I’m excited about what the next 30 days has in store and the personal and spiritual growth I will experience.

As for the blog, the overtly sexual stories don’t really fall in line with trying to keep my thoughts pure during the fast. But don’t worry, as I stated here, Naked With Socks On is about more than sex and explicit stories. I have plenty of funny tales to tell, poems to write, and observations about relationships, life, politics and myself to unveil. In fact, I believe this marathon will produce some of my best writing, as I won’t have the “sex sells” crutch to lean on. Regardless of what I write over the next month, be rest assured that I will maintain my honesty and level of quality you’ve come to expect from Naked With Socks On.

The plan is to write in the moment and post based on my mood and personal outlook for each day, but I’ll admit that I have a couple blogs banked that I wrote while I was on vacation. Although my boy Carl says that that’s cheating, I beg to differ. In fact, my posting schedule will adjust during the fast. Rather than post shortly after midnight like I normally do, I’ll put up the pieces after I wake up and include a Morning Monologue that will explain where I am mentally when I open my eyes to greet that day. It’s my way of documenting my experience. I’m also contemplating doing an Evening Epilogue to recap how each day ends, so be sure to check back later in the day for those. Whatever the case, I appreciate the love thus far and hope that you continue to support me on this personal journey.

Sincerely yours,

NWSO