Search

[HappyKitty]

So a few things happened, all in rapid succession (and all interconnected), that have made my life spiral downward these last few months:

1: I got involved in a play. Now, while theatre is a passion of mine (in a non-gay way), it does consume a lot of time. For the past few months, I've had precious free time of my own, and what time I had was spent being too exhausted to make it worthwhile. Because I had no free time...

2: My girlfriend and I broke up. There were some other issues there I'm sure, but not seeing each other was most likely the main sticking point. After the breakup, in despair...

3: I started drinking again. A lot. After the legendary 2 day bender (during which I received much consolation from all you guys - thanks again), I started drinking more or less regularly. Less at first, and eventually more, until once again, I would think nothing of picking up a bottle of wine after work and drinking alone in my apartment. Because of the extra calories from alcohol (and the accompanying drunken food cravings)...

4: I put on weight. Winter is usually not a kind season for weight, but this winter was pretty rough. My pants are feeling a bit tight where before they were even a little baggy. I can see how much weight I've gained. That's never a good feeling. While I'm nothing near the behemoth I was before, I still feel flabby and unattractive. To top it all off...

5: I am living in squalor. I haven't been in my house long enough to give it a good cleaning for a while. There are empty bottles everywhere, food trays from convenience stores, random papers and past-due bills, dishes in the sink, clothing on the floor. The necessary corollary of all these is...

6: I'm probably going to be single and unhappy for a while, unless I get my act together.


So I've decided to initiate Project Get My Life Back Together. The play's run is finished, I have no excuse for not taking care of myself. I don't need to drink, that was a useless emotional crutch and I feel ashamed that I fell back on it. As far as losing weight goes, hey, I've done it before and I can do it again. I call it the Honest Abe diet: I look in the mirror and yell, as loud as I can, "stop being so fucking fat!" I also count calories.

Step number 1 is to make my apartment pretty again. I'm a notorious packrat, which produces an endless amount of clutter. So I'm forcing myself to go through my posessions and toss anything that is not absolutely necessary. After this is done, the remainder will be spread about the place in a decorative fashion. I've got plans to rearrange the living room furniture so that my laptop can easily connect to my stereo, and so that I can maximize floor space. When that happens, I will throw the bitchinest party Naka Shinden neighbourhood has ever seen.

Step number 2-∞ is to stop being so fucking fat. It shouldn't be too tough; I've already found a daily diet that puts me at just shy of 2000 calories, which is well below maintenance level for a guy my height and weight. That, combined with the fact that I have to fucking walk everywhere should help me shed a few pounds.

Step number 3 is to start going out again. I didn't really get the chance when the play was running, but now, I'll be able to hit the town again. Hopefully, I'll be able to meet some more people I can talk to (not the easiest thing to do in Japan), and expand my social network.


So this is my project; I'll let you know how it goes.

[The Procrastinator]

There's not much to say other than Good Luck fella.
And were I to find myself in your neck of the woods I'd definitely offer to meet up for a (non-gay) drink.


P.S. No action from the play? I would've thought that was a pretty decent way to socialise.

[Mr Gale]

It was a play, dude. All males interested in theater are gay and all the chicks are the sort who fall for the confused gay guys then get suprised when hes gay. Its like the law. How could a hetrosexual succeed there?

Good look with that life thing anyway. I found friends are always good for turning yourself out of a bad spot, not neccesarily bitching about your problems like a girl to them... but hanging around people who like you, makes you feel a little better about yourself and pull yourself together a bit. And getting over a bint is always a bitch and gives you like a 3 month free to be all emo card if it was your first serious girl.

Thats the only time i'm ever almost being nice to you kitty, I hope you enjoyed it.

[Darien]

Good luck with the Project. Don't let the culture gap get you down too much, if you can help it.

[bartle]

Buck up, HK.

I call it the Honest Abe diet: I look in the mirror and yell, as loud as I can, "stop being so fucking fat!"

And try not to weasel yourself into an eating disorder.

If you ever start feeling bad about yourself again, just remember: Hey, at least you're not in prison.

[Spaceboy]

I think you'll find that everything will fall into place after you watch The Secret.

[Otis Driftwood]

Yes yes! The Secret.

And if we can get the PWoT self help book off the ground quick enough, maybe we can turn you into a leader of society!

[Rob]

Sounds like you've got things sorted out pretty well.  Good luck.

You could shed a few pounds by waxing off all the back hair.

Maybe now that you have more time, you could call up the ex and tell her that. Without knowing the reasons behind your breakup...I'd guess it was because you were in a play.
Disregard this advice though if you have no interest in going back to her.

Is there a gym nearby you can go to? Get in shape there and meet people. 
Hire a hot maid to clean up your place and hook up with her...2 more things accomplished.

[Allen]

Good luck, i'm rooting for you.  Sounds like you've got your three steps in the right logical order too.  If you need help with #3 at all, i'm sure we can all pitch in with tips for scoring. 

Here's a little something that reminds me of you plight, a little. 

That's all, best wishes.

[dum dum]

Good luck, HK. Stick to your plan and you should be alright. Here's a couple of quick tips to help you along the way;

1. Don't "go through" all your crap. I can also be a pack rat and I've discovered the best way to start anew is to just throw everything away. You probably don't need most of the shit you've collected, and if you do, you can probably just get it again. If you start going through it, you won't get rid of anything and just end up with semi organized piles of crap all over your place.

2. Don't worry about getting back into the dating scene right away. I mean, you just got done with being in a play, and the truth is, it's simply gonna take some time for your testicles to grow back. Once they do, life will be much easier.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[Kathana]

I recommend FlyLady for getting your shit together. She's a little gay, what with all the "Finally Loving Yourself" and constant praise, but her organizational system works. You divide your house, or apartment into "zones" and work on each zone per week. She'll email you a "mission" each day that is either cleaning or decluttering.  You also have daily and weekly upkeep chores to perform, like shining your sink, laying out your clothes before you go to bed, vaccuming, etc.  It's all very simple and easy and you can adapt it to fit your schedule and lifestyle. Which is good, because her target audience is housewives and I work full time.

http://www.flylady.net/

[Swordfish]

"Finally Loving Yourself"

From reading his slash, I don't think HappyKitty has any problem in that area.

[The Amazing Lactosis-Man]

Good luck with the whole project, HK.

[Sacktacular]

My friend went through something like this.

The only advice I can offer, based on his experience, is that it's best not to substitute hookers for actual happiness.

[Wreeeet]

Hey, good luck on the reconstruction.

But the alcohol might have something do with the weight. So if drinking makes you feel better, drink up, but drink beer light!

Best to ya

[The Procrastinator]

It was a play, dude. All males interested in theater are gay and all the chicks are the sort who fall for the confused gay guys then get suprised when hes gay. Its like the law. How could a hetrosexual succeed there?

With cunning!

[BambisGhost]

I recommend FlyLady for getting your shit together.

Thats why I like reading Kaths posts. She is guaranteed to approach a problem from the opposite direction to me.

I am too meek to be giving anyone advice, but heres what I do when the world shits on me.

Fuck it.

The world, the people in it and all the little furry creatures scuttling about its surface. The fucking fishes can do one too. And the fucking birds.

Its not your fault your bird has legged it, you are borderline alcoholic and are turning into a bloated, unwashed wreck.

Its the fucking world.

Give yourself a slap and dint give the bastard thing the satisfaction of seeing you down. Get your head back up and make a start. Kicking something is usually a good start. Then start hoovering and tidying up, whilst muttering "Fuck you, world". Walk straight past that Pizza shop. "Fuck you Pizza". Stick a bottle of Stoly vodka on your bedside table. "Fuck you, vodka".

Give the world a taste of unhappy kitties. Because happy kitties are best left to the ladies.

Its amazing how quickly the world packs in its attempts to fuck you over and begins to see things your way.

[ShillAT]

Don't just diet: go DO something. Here's my advice: try some sort of martial arts. The combination of them working you like crazy and feeling like a badass is great because--You lose weight! and You feel like a badass! Shazam!

If not, just try to put in at least one hour of strenuous-ish actual excercise per day.

If not, do the ab bicycle for 3 2 minute rounds before bed.

[Rob]

Here's my advice: try some sort of martial arts. The combination of them working you like crazy and feeling like a badass is great because--You lose weight! and You feel like a badass! Shazam!

You're in Japan....Judo.

I'm biased because I've been involved with Judo for most of my life, but I have yet to find a work out that even compares with fighting off pajama clad warriors trying to throw you on your head. 
2 or 3 sessions a week at 1.5 to 2 hours/session. They'll have you beaten into shape in less than a month.

[The Procrastinator]

yet to find a work out that even compares with fighting off pajama clad warriors

HappyKitty will never go for that, it sounds far too gay.