So, the traditional Yom Kippur fast is coming up (sundown Sunday through sundown Monday). I'm not the most observant person, but I figured I need all the help I can get. But I'm a diabetic and managing your blood sugar and medications during a fast is a complicated task. Most rabbis agree that diabetics should not fast, because of the health risks, but find another method of spiritual denial to demonstrate their contrition and perform an act of atonement.

So I tried to think what I could give up for 25 hours that would make me feel denied... Computers. No internet, no e-mail, no digital cable, no cribbage or solitaire on my phone, no CDs, no DVDs, no MP3s, and since all my radios have digital tuners, no radio. So, basically, I get to read real paper books and go for walks. Although all my phones have chips in them, I'm making an exception for phone calls because a potential employer may try to contact me or my kids' day care may try to contact me, and I need to take those.

Computers and TV are such a part of my daily routine, it's going to actually be hard. It's not even a matter of addiction so much as force of habit. You have to be on your guard against ingrained behaviors. You want to do these things because they're your ritual, and by not doing them, you have to leave your comfort zone.

Hopefully God will appreciate the sacrifice.