I gave up cigarettes when I was twenty-eight. Then I let the coffee drop. Strong Lipton tea? Yeah, that was bad. Now it’s down to green tea, white tea, and Kukicha twig.

It sounds like I’m an old elk in deep winter, longing to chew bark! Actually–this is funny to me–while in college, I used to chew white ginseng root, a mild medicinal stimulant. I used it to stay up late and write papers. And I purchased it from a Chinese man in Charlottesville, Virginia, who used to say, “Too young for ginseng! Too young for ginseng!” every time he took my money. It was expensive even then.

So I guess you could say that I’ve kept my desire for mind-altering substances under control. Except that this blog has been brought to you by dark chocolate. It’s day five now, and I’m realizing that I’ve got to get this wickedly pleasant habit under control. It has been a fulfilling, happy time though. I’ve completely enjoyed myself.