The first person to eat dessert, fried food, candy, or fast food owes the other two $100. That's what my brother Eames and his perma-girlfriend Kasey and I settled on during a rambling road trip this Christmas break. There's caveats, though, of course.
1. In-N-Out doesn't count as fast food. Nor does... well, we'll call it Quick Food. Chipotle, Baja Fresh, Panera. You know what I'm talking about. Fast food for the bottled water crowd.
2. A bite of dessert never killed anyone but the wondering what it tasted like might. So one spoonful. Just a dab.
3. If it would be RUDE to refuse any of the above at a social gathering (and I mean rude not frustrating), then indulge. By all means don't let your quest for thinness get in the way of your likability. No, no, no.
4. Lastly, if you take a transatlantic flight, you should probably eat candy. Domestic flights can be survived. But don't cross an ocean without a box of junior mints or a butterfinger. That's just a different kind of bad habit. Neurosis you might say.
So yes, this year is looking bright. Er healthy. Kasey is the only reason this little dealio will work though. Eames and I made it over six months on a whim like this once. But that was before we realized we both would rather cheat and lie to each other that earn mutual respect in friendly competition. HERE and NOW, I like Kasey too much to cheat and lie to her just yet. I would HAVE to confess if I were to stray. So I won't. I'm too cheap. The ante is juuuuust high enough for me to rather starve than pay.
So here I am, 5 days into 2009. Honest. Self-disciplined. Anticipating payoff. Feels like a good start to a historic year.
