Splitting hairs

Even though I'm a completely lapsed Catholic, I still make Lenten resolutions, more as an exercise in self-control than for any higher religious purpose (which of course makes me feel a little guilty, which makes me realize that Catholic guilt is for life, really, at least for me). Anyway, I started off doing my usual chocolate and ice cream sacrifice, which I usually think is more than enough. But then yesterday (belatedly, I know, but still worth it), I decided I need to give up swearing, as well, because I really have turned into a little bit of a potty mouth, and I think I'll be a better person if I do less of it.

So I think I need a swear jar of some sort, because, as much as I love ice cream, it's a lot easier for me to slip up with the swearing than the eating. But I'm having trouble knowing where to draw the line.

I was frustrated with a vendor earlier, and went on a huge rant where I invoked "freakin'" a whole lot, which I think is okay. But then, I was listening to a Cowboy Mouth CD (did the Smelmooo and/or I ever blog about how Ellen's brother Vance DeGeneres is now in Cowboy Mouth? Which is kind of fun! Although I'm getting too old for Cowboy Mouth shows, I've decided. Anyway.), and started singing along with "Tell the Girl," and there's a great line that goes, "Tell the girl you're sorry, for being such an a$$hole, A$$hole." So, does it count if I sing along gleefully, when I'm not so much swearing as quoting? I kind of think that's okay, but I can't tell if I'm just trying to rationalize. For now, I'm holding off even quoting, although if I go on a long road trip before Easter, I'm kind of screwed ("screwed" doesn't count, right?), because I don't think I can go without singing along to the Avenue Q soundtrack, and there's no doing that without swearing.