From 6PM on Friday to 6PM on Sunday, I consumed only water as part of a 48 hour fast. I opted for 48 hours instead of 72 (or more) to preserve my sleep, but that is still enough time to give the effects I wanted from the fast. Fasting like this is something I do 2-3 times per year. It helps me reset and recalibrate my eating habits and going through it reminds me that I can do mentally challenging things.

To accelerate some of the benefits, I spent most of Saturday walking. I walked on parts of Duke’s campus I’d never visited, including the chapel that is the icon of the campus, and discovered a new dim sum/boba tea restaurant that just opened and I will visit soon. I also made some real progress on an audiobook I’ve been listening to and managed to get a little sunburned after the clouds parted early on during my jaunt. Sunday afternoon was a bit of a drag. I was not as productive as normal during my Sunday afternoon admin session prepping for the upcoming week. I expected this, but it was still annoying as it made Monday morning a little more chaotic before my Monday meetings began.

Now for the bit of irony from the weekend. I watched Hunger on Netflix. Yes, that is the real title. Yes, I was thinking about food even more than usual this weekend. The movie is a taut thriller that had been on my watch list for a while. It is in Thai so for the full experience you need to be willing to read subtitles, but it is worth the extra effort. The show is about a young female cook working in her family’s noodle restaurant in Bangkok who is noticed by a junior sous chef of a famous chef who only cooks at elite private events. I won’t spoil the plot, but it is a cinematic ride with plenty of twists and turns and one that made me reflect on the costs associated with pursuing a singular greatness. It also made me even hungrier by the time I broke my fast on Sunday with some bacon and brisket.