#00 An Introduction to 30 in 30, Part 3 (60 Blogs in 30 Days)
If you’ve been paying attention to the message and promo video (how come no one has commented on it?) at the end of the posts this past week, you’ll know that 30 in 30, Part 3 starts tomorrow at sunrise EST. The NWSO readership has grown considerable since last year’s blog marathon so a lot of people are still in the dark as to what exactly it is and why they should care. I figured I’d clear up a few things with a brief FAQ. Hopefully, I can answer all your questions below, if not just leave a comment and I’ll holla back as always.
WHAT EXACTLY IS 30 IN 30?
The name of the series dates back to before NakedWithSocksOn.com was even up and running. Back when I was blogging on MySpace for fun I decided to do 30 blogs in 30 days to led up to my 30th birthday. I resurrected the series last year as a way to document my first time doing Ramadan, which includes a 30-day fast that fell in line with the whole 30 in 30 theme. The only difference was I wound up doing a whopping 90 blogs in 30 days. I realized after the fact that was a bit too much content for people to digest, so I scaled this year’s down to just 60 blogs.
WHAT IS RAMADAN?
It’s the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, sexual conduct, smoking, and indulging in anything that is in excess or ill natured during sunlight hours. Only once the sun has set can participants break fast and resume eating and drinking (this does not include alcoholic beverages or engaging in sexual activity, although married couples are allowed to be intimate). The fast starts again with the following day’s sunrise and last approximately 30 days.
The purpose of Ramadan is to teach Muslims patience, modesty, spirituality and charity, as well as express their devotion to Allah through daily prayer and reading of the Qur’an (or Koran). While fasting is a big part of the physical process, mental cleansing is the primary goal. In fact, simply going through the motions means nothing unless the intent to do and be better is in your heart. Overall, Ramadan promotes good character—particularly truthfulness and trustworthiness—and encourages people to do away with bad habits and change his or her circumstances for the better.
There is so much more to the process, but the above lays out the basic principles that I have discovered and how I have interpreted them. If anyone with more knowledge on the subject spots any errors on my part, feel free to correct me or make any additions regarding any vital steps I may have overlooked.
IS NWSO MUSLIM?
No, I am not Muslim and presently don’t have any plans to convert. However, I was introduced to Ramadan two years ago and was so intrigued by the practice and its character building that I decided to observe it last year and truly got something wonderful out of the experience. As a non-Muslim I observed my own version of Ramadan, adhering to the daily fast and purity of thought but opting not to read the Qur’an or attend mosque. I did, however, pray regularly and attended church. I could have done more of both, though.
I would like to make it clear that I mean no disrespect to anyone that is Muslim by participating in Ramadan (or my version of it). It’s just that I was able to get something out of the experience last year that I feel put me on a better path and I look forward to embarking on this spiritual journey once again and for years to come. Participating in Ramadan has provided me with structure, focus and direction. It’s also forced me to take a look within myself and not only take note of my flaws but make moves towards correcting them.
WHAT HAPPENED TO WET WEDNESDAYS?
Given the fact that I have to refrain from “sexual conduct” and “indulging in anything that is in excess or ill natured,” I basically have to censor myself. Things like Wet Wednesdays, graphic discussions about sex, or the use of foul language or antagonistic commentary are not conducive to the journey. I’m not only purging physically through this fast, but mentally and spiritually as well. Hopefully, most of you will not only understand that but respect it as well.
I know the recent introduction of Wet Wednesdays has led some to view NakedWithSocksOn.com as merely just a “sex blog” but I feel to label the site as such is very limiting. Yes, we have very adult conversations, but sex is just one component of the conversations we have here. If you come for the sex talk that’s great, but I hope you stay and continue to come back for the real talk on life, relationships, family, our community and everything in between.
Just as I proved last year, NakedWithSocksOn.com doesn’t need s-e-x to make a point, I can be just as captivating recounting the hilarious tales from my life, writing a heartfelt poem, discussing politics and breaking down the always entertaining dynamic between men and women. Don’t view this as a loss of one part of the blog you like, but a refocusing on the other important elements that sometimes get overlooked.
Without having the shock value of sex at my disposal during this time of reflection, I foresee some of my strongest work on the horizon. 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 NakedWithSocksOn.com.
WHEN WILL NEW BLOGS GO UP?
For those that missed the memo in my first promo clip (CLICK HERE) I normally post at 12am EST Monday through Friday. Being that I now have to wake up around 5:30am to pray and consume all of my nourishments for the day before sunrise, I’ve decided to adjust the posting schedule during 30 in 30, Part 3.
Everything (within my power) will be tied to the sun and moon (CLICK HERE for sun chart). The first post of each day will go up at sunrise (around 6am) and will fall in line with the discussion topics y’all have become used to (minus the sex talk and negative outlooks, of course). Depending on where I am, the second post will go up shortly after sunset (before 8pm) and will be a free-flowing entry recapping my personal journey that particular day. There won’t be any rhyme or reason to what those entries will cover, I’ll just write what I feel and you’ll get me in my rawest form. You can check last year’s Morning Monologues and Evening Epilogues in the category section below for examples.
Although I’m doing 30 less blogs this year, my schedule is considerably more hectic given the fact that I’m freelancing, so one or two evening posts may go up later than expected or I may not feel like writing and do a video entry instead. We’ll just see how things go and take it from there.
WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM US?
Respect. A lot of people may not understand what I’m doing in terms of this fast and what it all means, but this is very serious to me and it takes a lot for me to be sharing the experience with you. With that said, I just ask that folks be respectful at all times and mindful that I have to keep my thoughts and actions pure (i.e. no lustful thoughts, cursing, negative outlooks, etc.).
I stress this for a specific reason. On the eve of last year’s fast, someone sent me an anonymous email with a link to some pornography with a message that said something to the effect of, “enjoy.” I never found out who sent the email because their name wasn’t attached to the address, but I imagine it was someone I called a “friend” because it came to my personal account.
As much of a joke he or she thought that was, I took it as a major slap to the face—especially from someone that apparently knew me. Although the fast doesn’t start until tomorrow, I’ve been mentally preparing for the past two weeks already cutting out liquor and curbing my use of profanity, so sending an email like that just went against everything I was striving for. It just showed that the person had no respect for what I was about to embark on. I hold no ill will or malice towards him or her, but I take this very seriously and I ask that my friends and readers do as well.
ANY LAST WORDS?
I just want to thank you all in advance for taking the time out to read this and hopefully following my journey over the next 30 days. I look forward to sharing my experiences, accomplishments and faults, while growing with you in the process.
Ramadan Mubarak! (a blessed Ramadan!)
***ON YOUR MARK, GET SET, BLOG!!!!***
Log in TOMORROW Saturday, August 22, 2009 for the beginning of my annual 30 in 30 Blog Marathon. No food. No liquor. No cursing. No negativity. No sex. No Wet Wednesdays. Just two blogs a day for 30 days straight, as I embark on a spiritual, mental and physical journey that begins anew at sunrise.
.
.
“#00 An Introduction to 30 in 30, Part 3 (60 Blogs in 30 Days)”