I don’t know why I’m going through this sudden interest in things religious. It’s a shallow examination (with little true understanding) so let’s not all pile on screaming that I’m a disbeliever or a heretic or whatever. Perhaps it’s because I’ve watched 54 years go by and have realized I’m mortal. Or I’m curious. Or whatever. But I’ve been getting on the celestial tour bus and riding through religions, checking them out and chatting with their inhabitants.

For example, earlier this year, a coffee friend talked me into Lent, where I ended my slavery to things cocacoloaish (a soda boycott I’ve maintained from then until now – had been meaning to do that anyway). And then last weekend, I went to a Presbyterian church service at the invite from another work friend to watch her musician husband play those cool pipe organs. Next month is the big one – I’m going to experience Shravan Maas (an Indian observance to Lord Shiva, and a month-long period of vegetarianism and light fasting, with a nod to the three Indian girls I work with.

But today? Ramadan.

I’d talked to another work buddy (religion seems rife where I work, doesn’t it?) who is Moslem. Originally I toyed with the idea of fasting away a month but rejected it. I ride too much for this – there is no way I could commute home in 105 degree heat by bike and then wait four hours (until sunset) for water. Not going to happen.

But now the bike’s in the shop for repairs and I’m stuck with the car today (usually a commuting day). Perhaps it’s in the back of my mind, but I woke up at 4:30 am this morning with a knowledge that today would be a perfect day for the fast. So I had my breakfast and now I’m ready to begin. I’ll have to ask him when official sundown is tonight and stall dinner (so the wife doesn’t get wind of it and get all chirpy-chip with me over this). This is my decision and I’m going to experience it, if only for a day.

So we’ll see what comes of all this. Probably nothing. But there is the worry – what if something does? I’ve grown too fond of my agnostical ways to want to suddenly suffer limitations and observances.

But its interesting to ride the bus and look out the window, I guess.

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