Woowoo! Who’s still on the Unplugged Express? It’s been a while since I wrote about an unplugged night because honestly, they’ve started just feeling like a nice, integrated routine.

I still struggle. I’m doing Unplugged Nights on Tuesdays, which is the night of my mind-bending dance class. That means that I stay busy for over 2 hours of the evening, walking to class, dancing, walking home, sometimes stopping to visit with a friend or have dinner with myself over a cup of ramen and a newspaper.

I did skip dance class one Tuesday, opting to just stay home instead. It was a much harder night, and I was sorely tempted by my screen. Dre was off at circus class and I just wanted to lay around and relax. But I got twitchy about half way through the night, desperate for two things I really wanted and didn’t have: internet and sugar. I could have popped open my laptop or walked to the store for a fix, but instead I moaned about on the couch until Andreas came home and brought ice cream.

But if I give myself something to focus on: a visit with a friend, a dance routine, a walk with the dog, a letter to write — if I can keep myself focused I really REALLY enjoy my unplugged nights.

As a result of unplugging, I’m definitely reading more. I have my subscription to The Week (thanks to Megan for recommending) and then a steady stream of Young Adult fiction. See, when I want brain candy I like reading smart books written for teenagers rather than stupid books written for adults. Or, well, can you call the Twilight series smart? Not really. And certainly a Great And Terrible Beauty wasn’t very smart. When I read this line, I actually LOLed: Those heavily fringed orbs of his coming closer, making my lips part. I hope you’re LOLing right now. But now I’m reading I Capture The Castle, which I’m enjoying, and I’m totally following up on danah’s recommendations.

Anyway, this is all to say that 52 Nights Unplugged is totally an ongoing project. I don’t write about it every week because, well, honestly I don’t think it’s all that fascinating. I’ve been genuinely shocked by the media’s response to the project, because a geek in Seattle not checking her email once a week really doesn’t feel like blog news, let alone national news. (I just did an interview today about unplugging and time management that will be supposedly airing Tuesday on ABC.) But I guess it’s a small, relatively boring step that more people than just me wish they were taking. So, join in and feel free to post (or not post) about your progress.