And it's no sacrifice at all.

I think I've mentioned a lot about the Catholic guilt. I grew up with it. I've still got it.

And since it's the time of year when I wear a huge, dark smudge on my forehead on a Wednesday at the end of February (and I think men are checking me out as I meander through the aisles of Costco, but they're really just staring at me and wondering why I have a huge, dark smudge on my forehead), it also means it's the time of year when the guilt gets thrown into overdrive.

Lent.

That one word conjurs so many painful recollections: Tuna grinders. My mother's homemade macaroni cheese that tasted more like peppered slime on top of shredded cardboard. And giving up all that is holy and dear - no meat on Friday, chocolate, nail biting, and the "F" word.

This year, I'm taking Lent a bit more seriously. Mostly because I just came out from under a "Slumdog" month (and by that, yes, I do mean the communal outhouse scene from my favorite movie of 2008) and totally realize how good I've really got it. I get it God. I do.

So, I'll spend this month doing some of the usual Lenten routine, but some new things, too...

1. Avoiding meat on Friday

2. Avoiding my nails

3. Avoiding chocolate

4. Avoiding Robert Pattinson (Lent is about sacrifice, people! And, no, I can't link to a hot photo since I can't look at him for 40 days. And supposedly he's going to be presenting at the Kids' Choice Awards soon, too. Hope it's after April 12.)

5. And I'll give up pleasure reading and put my noggin behind some stories about people who actually do (or did) have it worse than I do in my very good existence. Like this, and this, and this.

Sure, if Lent was year round, there'd certainly be things I'd give up for good...

1. Like celebrity journalism

2. Like Gwyneth Paltrow

3. Like Facebook

4. Like Top 40 radio

5. Like the "F" word (I can't imagine, but it's possible)

6. Like the unemployment, financial and health-care crisis in our nation (If you've been touched personally by the tough times in this country, then you can understand how badly I'd like things to turnaround - everyone has been affected, somehow)

I don't know if any of that is possible, but I'm hopeful. (Especially, for all that is holy, Gwyneth Paltrow. I'm happy to see I'm not the only who thinks so.)

But all of that is for another year, another Lenten season. And so, here I go - walking the path of self-sacrifice so that I can come out on the other end an enlightened being. Well, unless you count that trip to CostCo. I can't help it that they were serving chicken salad at the snack stations! Lord.