DAY 6: Choices

To eat, or not to eat: that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The twinge and torment of a shameful stomach,
Or to take arms against a sea of cakes;

I spent most of last night staring at my son’s birthday cupcakes, resting helpless on the dining room table.  For a brief moment, my wife left the room and I could see myself devouring these little heavens as if I was a whale, swallowing a school of fish. 

I was busy divulging my last protein shake for the evening, when the forged smiles of The Kardashians appeared on the entertainment channel. 
Suddenly, I found myself cursing for the next fifteen minutes, quoting every distasteful word I could possibly summon up. There’s something about this family which delivers a bitter taste to my mouth.  My wife came running down the stairs thinking I was confronting my neighbour over her deafening dog, but unfortunately this was not the case.
“Why don’t you change the channel?” she asked.
A moment of silence ensued.  I had spent all my limited energy in the throws of anger insulting a pornographic family, when I had the choice to simply reach for the remote and change the channel.  And so I did.

The Barefoot Contessa was adding ingredients to her interpretation of blueberry cheesecake. The following programme introduced the world of Buddy Volastro as he met the challenge of a wedding cake in the shape of the ‘Leaning Tower of Pisa’.  And finally, Andy Bates was on the warpath to find the best street food in America. 
Needless to say, my son’s cupcakes would not have survived another minute had my wife not entered the room.  It was almost midnight, and I was surviving another day of dieting.  It was a close call.

I decided to give the television another chance.  What caught my attention was a repeat of the formidable Diane Sawyer interview with Jaycee Dugard:

The kidnapping of Jaycee Lee Dugard occurred in June 1991, in California. Dugard was 11 years old at the time, and was abducted from a street while she was walking to a school bus stop. Searches began immediately after the kidnapping, but no reliable leads were generated. She remained missing for more than 18 years.
In August 2009, convicted sex offender Phillip Craig Garrido visited the campus of UC Berkeley accompanied by two girls. Their unusual behaviour sparked an investigation that led to his bringing the girls to a parole office - accompanied by a young woman who was then identified as Dugard.  
Garrido and his wife Nancy were arrested for kidnapping and other charges. In April 2011, they pleaded guilty to Dugard's kidnapping and sexual assault.  Law enforcement officers believe Dugard was kept in a concealed area behind Garrido's house in Antioch for 18 years. During this time, Dugard bore two daughters who were ages 11 and 15 at the time of her reappearance.
In June 2011, Phillip Garrido was sentenced to 431 years imprisonment; his wife received 36 years to life.

Reality finally kicked in.  Most of us are fortunate enough to make a choice.  Jaycee Lee Dugard was helpless.  Sometimes we get sidetracked by our own thoughts and beliefs, and then we receive a wakeup call which sets us back on the right path. 

The Three Tenors chose not to say anything.  They were there though, I could feel their presence.  Perhaps they are planning their own surprise at my son’s birthday this afternoon?  Anything’s possible.

Two days before my first weigh-in, and I am feeling the change already.  I have decided to carry on.  I am waging a full battle against the nauseating bulge.  This, after all, is my choice.

Weight for me tomorrow. Paul

Paul Lambis is the author of “Where is Home?” – A journey of hilarious contrasts.  

For more information on Paul Lambis, and to order his book online, visit www.paul-lambis.com