# It's Not The Hunger So Much As The Knowing... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 8, 2000, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503 "2000-03-08T17:51:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/1 "2000-03-08T17:51:00Z")
It’s not even 1:00 and already I’m starving. But it’s not so much the hunger itself – plenty of times I don’t get to lunch before 1;30 – it’s the knowing that today, there won’t be any food at all. Ah, well. It’s only two days per year. No biggie. But a cheeseburger sounds really good about now! - Rick ---
**Author:** ![Fillet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/2acd7d/32.png) [@Fillet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fillet)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/2 "2000-03-08T17:54:00Z")
Rick, for pete’s sake, stop thinking about food before you drive yourself nuts! 🙂 And drink lots and lots and lots of water… ---
**Author:** ![Stevie\_Rave\_On](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c68b51/32.png) [@Stevie\_Rave\_On](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stevie_Rave_On)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/3 "2000-03-08T17:55:00Z")
Why can’t you eat anything today? Cause of Ash Wednesday? I thought you just weren’t supposed to eat meat. ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/4 "2000-03-08T17:57:00Z")
Plus, what stupid religion would have TWO Ash Wednesdays a year 😃 * * * **Coldfire** _Voted **Poster Most Likely To Post Drunk** _ * * * _ **"You know how complex women are"** _ - Neil Peart, **Rush** (1993) ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/5 "2000-03-08T17:58:00Z")
I guess you should have filled up on paczkis yesterday. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/6 "2000-03-09T06:01:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Stevie Rave On: > \*\*Why can’t you eat anything today? Cause of Ash Wednesday? I thought you just weren’t supposed to eat meat. \*\* It’s true you’re not supposed to eat meat - but you’re also supposed to fast, which technically can include light meatless meals if need be. I, however, take “fast” to mean no food at all, so that’s my approach on both Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. The Fridays between now and Easter are also meatless, by the way. And from prior experience, I can tell you that cheeseburgers sound really good on thoser days, too! - Rick ---
**Author:** ![Coldfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a587f6/32.png) [@Coldfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coldfire)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/7 "2000-03-09T06:07:00Z")
Rick, I would just like to say that I was merely joking back there - not trying to piss you off or anything. But I suppose you knew that. * * * **Coldfire** _Voted **Poster Most Likely To Post Drunk** _ * * * _ **"You know how complex women are"** _ - Neil Peart, **Rush** (1993) ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 6:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/8 "2000-03-09T06:34:00Z")
I can only offer sympathy, Bricker. We Baptists consider it a fast when the preacher talks past noon… * * * Sig! Sig a Sog! Sig it loud! Sig it Strog! – Karen Carpenter with a head cold ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/9 "2000-03-09T06:41:00Z")
Well, it’s good practice if you ever you decide to fly with a soccer team over the Andes mountains. Are you fasting for the full 24 hours, or only until sundown? What’s your habit, have a midnight snack or wait until the next morning? ---
**Author:** ![A\_girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c68b51/32.png) [@A\_girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_girl)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 6:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/10 "2000-03-09T06:51:00Z")
Go to the local heath food store! 🙂 They have tons of juices. That’s not “food” right? That’s what I do when I’m going to fast. They have them with protein and things or all fruit, so it’s like a dessert! (I’m not familiar with fasting for your religion, and I apologize if juice is not an option for you.) A girl ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/11 "2000-03-09T06:53:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Coldfire: > \*\*I would just like to say that I was merely joking back there - not trying to piss you off or anything. > \*\* Heh - not to worry - 'twas a clever line, and I laughed. 🙂 - Rick ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/12 "2000-03-08T19:32:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Well, it’s good practice if you ever you decide to fly with a soccer team over the Andes mountains. Or try to cross a mountain pass in winter! > [@](#): > > Are you fasting for the full 24 hours, or only until sundown? What’s your habit, have a midnight snack or wait until the next morning? No, it’s the full 24 for me… I eat after midnight; it would only keep me awake until 4 AM! - Rick ---
**Author:** ![Squee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Squee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squee)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2000, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/13 "2000-03-08T19:59:00Z")
> [@](#): > > I, however, take “ **fast** ” to mean no food at all, so that’s my approach on both Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. No, no, no! It means you are allowed to have ‘fast’ food… ya know, McDonalds, Wendys, etc. That’s the great thing about religion, lots of loopholes! 🙂 * * * The most rewarding part was when I got my money! -Dr. Nick Riviera ---
**Author:** ![Jeannie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@Jeannie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeannie)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/14 "2000-03-09T00:36:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Squee: > \*\* No, no, no! It means you are allowed to have ‘fast’ food… ya know, McDonalds, Wendys, etc. That’s the great thing about religion, lots of loopholes! 🙂 > > \*\* Squee…I’ll have to try that on my pastor… 🙂 🙂 Bricker–I totally look up to you now for this “total fast” thing. I go with the “light meals” and “no meat” thing on today and Good Friday. And I observe meatless Fridays and give up something for Lent. The weird thing is, I don’t even go to church anymore, and there’s a lot of rules that I just don’t buy. But, for some reason, I take Lent SO seriously. And since I’m such a heathen, I have a friend at work (who is a VERY traditional Catholic) that I consult when I have questions (like the exact rules of fasting, etc.). ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/15 "2000-03-09T01:23:00Z")
Jeannie, With all respect to your office friend, if you want exact rules, you need look no further than the SDMB! 🙂 If you’re in the United States, “fasting” means you are permitted one full and two light meals on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This law binds those between eighteen and sixty years of age (see Can. 1252). These, as well as Fridays of Lent, are also days of abstinence from all meat. The law of abstinence binds all those older than fourteen. Canon law actually provides that _all_ Fridays are times for penance, not just Fridays of Lent. However, Can. 1253 provides that the Episcopal Conference (the regional conference of bishops) can determine more particular ways in which fasting and abstinence are to be observed. In place of abstinence or fasting it can substitute, in whole or in part, other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety. Based on that authority, in the United States, the faithful are bound to observe abstinence only during Fridays of Lent. During other Fridays of the year, it is permissible to substitute another penitential act. - Rick ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/16 "2000-03-09T01:24:00Z")
Jeannie, With all respect to your office friend, if you want exact rules, you need look no further than the SDMB! 🙂 If you’re in the United States, “fasting” means you are permitted one full and two light meals on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. This law binds those between eighteen and sixty years of age (see Can. 1252). These, as well as Fridays of Lent, are also days of abstinence from all meat. The law of abstinence binds all those older than fourteen. Canon law actually provides that _all_ Fridays are times for penance, not just Fridays of Lent. However, Can. 1253 provides that the Episcopal Conference (the regional conference of bishops) can determine more particular ways in which fasting and abstinence are to be observed. In place of abstinence or fasting it can substitute, in whole or in part, other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety. Based on that authority, in the United States, the faithful are bound to observe abstinence only during Fridays of Lent. During other Fridays of the year, it is permissible to substitute another penitential act. - Rick ---
**Author:** ![GraceTX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c4cdca/32.png) [@GraceTX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GraceTX)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/17 "2000-03-09T01:38:00Z")
I was Catholic until about age 8 when I converted to Pentecostal (UPC). We don’t observe Lent as far as I have noticed. There are other holy days where we fast. Or other times during the year when we feel the need. I wonder what religions (denominations) actually observe Lent. BTW, just for the record, I don’t handle snakes. That’s a whole other group of Pentecostals. =) * * * “I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life.” ---
**Author:** ![Jeannie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e480ec/32.png) [@Jeannie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeannie)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/18 "2000-03-09T01:44:00Z")
> [@](#): > > Originally posted by Bricker: > \*\*Jeannie, > > With all respect to your office friend, if you want exact rules, you need look no further than the SDMB! 🙂 > > - Rick\*\* Oh, I don’t doubt it! I just like going to her, because, well…I guess I just do 🙂 I observe the two small meals & one large meal rule. When I was thirteen, on the last Lenten Friday before my birthday (which always falls during Lent) I ate a turkey sandwich. I just couldn’t resist. I figured I’d take advantage of the last day when I could eat meat on a Friday and not go straight to hell 🙂 You know how, like, you could go DAYS on end without meat and you don’t mind, but then on, say, Ash Wednesday all you want is a big, juicy steak? Some people think it’s psychological. I think God has a sense of humor. Oh, jeez, I’m probably making your hunger worse. I’m so sorry. Um, just think of stuff you don’t _want_ to eat. Just a few more hours… ---
**Author:** ![Anti\_Pro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Anti\_Pro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anti_Pro)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/19 "2000-03-09T02:58:00Z")
Doc Jackson’s take on us Baptists is true. Though, I think we miss something of value in not having traditions to follow, other than communion. While living in West Palm Beach, FL in 1976, I once visited a Baptist church on a Sunday night, and there were only about ten people, and they clearly recognized me as a stranger in their midst. So, they were rather self conscious about telling me they were about to ‘foot wash’, which I remembered from the Bible, but very vaguely. I blushed terribly, but do you know, I’ve NEVER forgotten how humbled I felt that night, when a woman more than twice my age knelt in front of me to wash my feet. It was a very moving experience. * * * Judy * * * “It’s hard to avoid reading because ever wheres we go, reading is there.” ---
**Author:** ![Bluepony](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Bluepony](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bluepony)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2000, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503/20 "2000-03-09T03:21:00Z")
(sigh) I blew it again. **Bluepony’s Ash Wednesday Fast** (Current to 9.00p CST) Breakfast: Large bowl Captain Crunch, 5 strips bacon, 2 eggs over easy, English muffin, Coke, small bag of Cheetos Pre-lunch Munchie Attack: 1 box Mike and Ikes, 2 Slim Jims (I’ll fess up to the bacon violation, but I don’t consider SJs real meat), 2 oranges, something purple and sweet in a napkin in my desk drawer, 1 can Coke Lunch: Small Pizza Hut pan pizza, extra pepperoni, one mug Bud Light, 1 Baskin Robbins strawberry banana shake Afternoon Munchie Attack: The rest of the purple shit in my desk drawer, 2 small bags Cheetos, 12 Nutter Butter Peanut Butter cookies, 2 cans Coke After Gym Munchie Attack: One bottle Gatorade, 2 Snickers bars, 2 bananas, 2 Popsicles Dinner: Steak (med rare) with loaded baked potato, corn, 2 bottles Michelob Light. Computer Munchie Attack: 1 Bag cheetos, the last Michelob in fridge (it was getting lonely), half box of Girl Scout peanut butter cookies. Vatican put on alert. My old English teacher, Sister Clarisse is spinning in her grave. Bluepony once again makes the Official Vatican List of Catholic Ash Wednesday/Lenten Slackers. Purgatory time-sheet amended for Subject Bluepony to reflect latest in long line of similar transgressions. Sainthood or beatification, at this time, is NOT expected. Subject’s balance sheet resting at 52,000 Hail Marys and 1,670 Novenas, as a minimum. ::Killing the last of the Michelob::: Happy Ash Wednesday Everybody!! Regards, Bluepony - Equus Purgatorius\* * * * _…send lawyers, guns, and money…_ ``` Warren Zevon ``` [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-not-the-hunger-so-much-as-the-knowing/14503.md?page=2)