blueswede

struggle for self-improvement

As of 1:30 A.M. last night, I have returned home. I'm glad
to be back and not have any more shit to deal with, classes
and exams and work and all that. On the other hand, I'm now
hard-pressed to find someone to talk to at 12:30 A.M., so I
end up writing an update instead.

Not having the social benefits of college (or dorm life, to
be precise) is probably going to take its toll this summer,
unless I remain vigilant. Fortunately, I have enough lined
up that I probably won't even notice the rather severe lack
of companionship until it's almost time to go back.

That's right, the Dave Improvement Plan is being enacted as
of tomorrow, when I shall kick it off by mowing the lawn.
Pushing the mower around is damn good exercise, and that's
ultimately what this whole crazy idea is going to be about.
My goal for the summer is to lose 40 pounds.

Other aspects of the Dave Improvement Plan include learning
to skateboard, improving my guitar skills, and maybe working
on my programming skills if I have the time. However, if I
ever get an opportunity, I'll be trying to work on my social
skills over the summer as well. I'm not too sure how to go
about doing that, though; I guess there's always the comedy
"try to meet girls at clubs" option, though I'd just as soon
not have to deal with loud rap music and shitty lighting.
There is always the coffeehouse approach, but that requires
both having the car to get there and having something to do
while there in case my luck runs dry. Timing will probably
play a pretty big part; I think I'm going to try to shed 20
pounds before I even start trying.

Of course, the overall purpose of the Dave Improvement Plan
is to enhance my social life as much as possible for next
year. I really don't want to make the same mistake as last
summer and go off to college all big and fat. Next term I'd
like to actually have some chance of not being repulsive to
every girl I meet. We shall see.

Of course, I'm not even sure how much the weight loss will
help my appearance. I've been fat for so long that I can't
even remember what I looked like before the weight gain. It
is a problem; for all I know I could be just as ugly lighter
as I am now, and that would be a damn shame.

Naturally I am hoping that losing the weight fixes most of
the problems with my physical appearance. It would be nice
if, for once, people wouldn't make assumptions about various
aspects of my personal life, dating history and all that, on
just the basis of my appearance.

Actually, I don't mind the assumptions all that much; what I
do mind is that they're generally correct.

This is Dave, signing off.