Porkchop

How much wood could a woodchuck chuck.......

Congrats on the new job! Life happens and as long as you're not doing anything crazy, just handle your bid-niss. Sometimes regaining our equilibrium takes some time, but you'll totally be even more awesome when you do. Keep rocking it out, you're doing great! GO FARAXK!!!

I PC, second BC. I hope it all works out and tomorrow is another day for sure. Also, I wanted to say thanks for that link you gave me, I'll be trying some of those ideas for sure.

I can always eat some ice cream in your honor...But really, get your sleep schedule back on track It gets harder to do once summer comes and its light out at 9:30. Also, do those ankle exercises hurt? I think there are some alternate ones that don't cause as much pain. Otherwise, it looks like you're getting it done! You got this on lock, L Doubles 4 more days! (Sorry for the long-winded ramble last time, I didn't mean for it to be that...rambly. I'm positive you'll do fine)

Porkchops still in this one. Hope we can all finish strong Thanks PA. Food blog? I'm interested for sure. Most food blogs and cook books are either for complete novices or people that can already cook. I know how to make cereal and I can make a mean top ramen But seriously, I have a few things I can make very well (mostly meat) but want to be more well rounded. This challenge thing seems to do the trick even though I F up sometimes, this has been the most consistant I've ever been with being healthy outside of playing sports. Me likes this alot No doubt Tank! On the home stretch now Thanks Miranda. Classes started this week, Monday to be exact. We had orientation and our next meetup is on Saturday (this isn't an everyday class) Thanks Laureleye, good looking out Thanks Metal! Yeah its been a CRAZY 6 weeks. Hope you're all around for the next one. Haha thanks RG, my family puts the fun in dysfunctional The food is always awesome though! I can cook some of it, but it isn't as good of course. They should change the name to Captain Crack, I'm sure it has its own withdrawl symptoms and everything. Just one more spoonfull to stop the shakes... Hell yeah Paz, we got this challenge in the bag and now its on to the next one. Its all about how we finish I guess. WE DID A FUCKING AWESOME JOB Goal #1 - The gym. I've been going all this week but had a couple half-ass days because I got home really late. That translates into 30 minutes on the treadmill and 3 times through a machine circuit. Today was most definatly FULL-assed and I will pat myself on the back and NOT celebrate with food. Goal #2 - Fast food. I have kept away from it this whole week. My lunches I've packed have been kind of bland, but filling. I've saved lots of money though! Goal #3 - Thinking of one for next challenge. Orientation next Thursday. I'd say I was excited, but thats probably not the right word for it. Anxious to get started is more appropriate I think considering what it is. Goal #4 - Missed one day for breakfast, and that was today. I picked up a latte and ate a big lunch so all is good Sorry I've been slackin on getting on here. Been kind of an insane week and now that its almost over, I feel like my soul is exhaling Thank you all for keeping me in check, it helps alot!

Roundin' the last corner going into the final week! You've made some awesome progress RG, I'm impressed with the water consumption. It sounds easy enough, but with all the options out there, its easy for water to take a back seat. Lets all finish this last week strong and show it whose boss. What book are you starting up?

You sprained your ankle? Sorry to hear that Make sure you keep up on those ankle exercises and heal quickly. At least when it heals, it'll be stronger. And if its the same one as before, you'll have like...one super ankle. If you're looking for a job with animals, (I'm no doubt preaching to the choir here) you should emphasize the classes you've taken and the career trajectory it has you on. I have found in the past that when I turn in an application, I call every couple of days to keep myself fresh in their minds. That might get annoying, so maybe every 3 days or so. Definatly twice a week though. I don't know how the economy is over there, but there are places here that get about 25 applications for every opening. But only like 2 or 3 are from people who follow up and really want the job. The key is to not get discouraged. Is there a place you can volunteer? That would be a great way to gain experience and some behind the scenes knowledge for what you want to do (and cuddle with animals, but that goes without saying). Also, I'm going to sound like a geezer right now, but its for a good cause. I really don't want to be a young-person-ist (like racist or sexist). I was VERY horrible as a young adult, and by some miracle I'm still alive and (somewhat) sane, and you are light years ahead of where I was at your age which is something you should be proud of. But I've found that many young people freeze up when they speak to people in an interview setting. I can't blame them, it can be very intimidating without practice. Lots of them "talk to the floor" with their chin down, don't shake hands very well (hand shaking with eye contact is important) and have trouble articulating what they want. This kind of behavior just screams "unprepared". Again, I mean no disrespect and this is only one guys advice. I've hired and trained a few people though, and if they lacked work experience, then intangibles are the only thing I can go off of. From what I know of you, you're enthusiastic, curious, hard working, and resolute. My advice would be to role play for an interview and find a way to convey those qualities into a short conversation. Whether its with a buddy or even in a chat room, it doesn't matter. If you go in unprepared, they will know, and unless you're a good bullshitter, it'll be an uncomfortable experience for everyone. So long story short. Practice interviewing with someone, learn to give a firm handshake (with eye contact), speak clearly and deliberately, and smiling never hurts. If you know anyone that does hiring, get some tips from them too. I'll be rooting for ya, L Dubbs. Go knock this out like I know you can

Thats really good progress JAS. I was told that losing too much weight too fast is really bad for people. Being someone that doesn't have a crazy amount of weight to lose, you should really pat yourself on the back for how well you've done. You're great for keeping your room clean too, that was a really awesome goal and kudos to you for sticking with it. Keep on going strong

LOL JAS! I need to print this post on my bathroom mirror or something. I'm hoping the hard work will pay off in the end. Besides, getting my BA has been on my bucket list for a long time. Let the adventure begin (or continue to be more precise). As far as the lattes go, yeah yeah yeah, I know they aren't much of a breakfast haha. I promise I'll do better this week. Thanks for the encouragement! Thanks Riotgrly, one more week to go is right. I can't believe its only been 6 weeks, so much has happened. I like that egg idea, anything that can be grabbed while running out the door is always a plus. I got spoiled from living with someone that liked to cook. She made breakfast and dinner and I did the dishes (most of the time), very fair trade off IMHO. I've found some cooking classes at my school (like, the 3 day ones. Not the class classes), and I'm leaning towards including that in the next challenge. Maybe a diet/life goal or something. As far as cereal goes, it's a damn shame they can't they make Cinnamon Toast Crunch healthy. Why General Mills...WHY??? Thanks Sam, I always appreciate the encouragement! Its really easy to be positive around here with such awesome people As far as the last week of this thing goes, I think its time to kick it into full-ass mode (that sounds funny) and get this thing finished up right. Goal #1 - I felt like a zombie this morning. I skipped out on the pancake breakfast AND the gym today. I'll give myself a pass because it was a quazi holiday and I was in no position to be under a weighted bar for the first few hours of being awake. Last night, a few local bands were playing at the bar and we were posted right next to the speakers. They ROCKED, but my ears hated me afterwards. I didn't drink alot but I snacked on some chicken wings (the were listed as neuclear- hot) and washed them down with a couple of beers. I'll hit the gym tomorrow after work and be back on track. Goal #2 - No fast food unless impossibly hot chicken wings count Goal #3 - Went and visited the parents' house today. Seeing the family all at once is always fun and overwhelming at the same time. To large Itallian families, Easter is another excuse to get together and talk loudly while eating good food. A thick skin is definatly needed, but its all in good fun Not sure why this is on my life goals update, but it seemed to fit. Goal #4 - Missed breakfast. Couldn't wake up for pancake breakfast. Just grazed, lazed and watched TV until late morning...Heaven

I hear you on the weather lately. Im in Seattle, and by some miracle its been really nice. True to northwest fashion, people are walking around in shorts and tanktops today. Afterall, it is 60 degrees (thats warm in Seattle-speak, but having zero rain clouds is kind of messing with everyone). Good going on those runs RG! I get tired just thinking about running 3.5 miles. Your water goal is going to help alot too I think, because being accustomed to drinking lots of water will help once the weather gets crazy hot. Future riotgrly will thank present riotgrly for sure. Keep on keeping on!

Good job knocking down those goals Paz, you got the right idea. Horse riding would be much more fun in good weather btw. The last thing you want is to be on a cold, wet and pissed off horse, they could get a little irritable I'm guessing. I was just bustin your chops about the dancing. Like I said, I am to dancing what a fish is to dry land. Keep up the pace on those goals and you'll get there.

You hit the nail on the head, brother. Celebrations are surely in order for finishing this challenge. As far as getting the PO job, it requires a bachellors degree. That won't be under my belt for at least a couple years considering nothing crazy happens. Thanks Tank. I think watching Popeye as a kid has subtly made me like spinach. I usually add some to eggs too or just eat it raw (salad dressing hates me for some reason *shrug*). Thanks riotgrly. Hahaha if I become a teacher, hopefully no former students (could they be called porkchoplets?) will break into MY home when they're older or rob ME at gunpoint at an ATM. That would be my luck. I know a guy that just started with community corrections, but he was already really jaded after being a social worker for years. Its always good to hear another opinion about this kind of work because my current job is nothing like being a PO (or teacher for that matter). I imagine that not getting too emotionally involved with people that are your caseloads would help, but at first I can see that it might be reflexive to do exactly that. I guess the phrase "leave work at work" would come into play alot until an equilibrium is found. A couple yeas ago, I applied to work as a corrections officer at a state institution. I passed all the psych tests and even the PAT, but I was on the fence about the commute and working rotating shifts for the first few years. A few months later there were lots of layoffs there and luckily I decided to kep my current job. CCOs were actually still hiring during all of this, but a BA is needed (or highly reccomended). Goal #1 - I didn't make it into the gym the last couple days. Work has been kinda crazy and while that isn't an excuse...F - it. It is an excuse. I'll do better next week and finish this 6 week gig the right way. Goal #2 - I broke down and ate some KFC yesterday. I ordered 2 grilled breasts and some small fries. I have to admit though, eating that hormone laced chicken was really good. If I grow an extra ear anywhere on my body, I'll know why Other than that, I've behaved pretty well. Goal #3 - Eat, drink, and be merry tonight Goal #4 - Missed breakfast last couple days, but had lattes instead. Nothing like starting off the day with sugar and milk...no, really.

I agree, thats a good idea. Sundays can be kind of hit or miss for me in the spring/summer time though. My work gets busy and sometimes I have to work Sundays. I think that being Seattleites, the sun scares and confuses us at first. Then right when we get used to it, its time for the other 9 months of gray weather. Do they still show movies on that screen at Gasworks? I think thats more in the summer if I'm not mistaken. Did anyone go to comicon this year? I didn't see anything on the boards.

Thanks for the words Paz - I'm hoping this plan is solid, its going to take a while to complete. I imagine it would be really easy to become jaded doing PO work, but it would also be very rewarding sometimes too. Now I want a T shirt that says "go full-assed or go home" hahaha. That could be Mr Porkchop's mantra writen conspicuously at the front of the room I agree 100% that college is no joke. I went in my early 20s and um...didn't exactly take it as seriously as I should have, lets just say. Honestly, it feels like its been a lifetime since then, and when I think about all the things that have gone on these past 10 years or so, its like looking down from a ladder and not seeing the ground. Your enthusiasm for teaching is contagious and I'd say that you've found your calling for sure I think you may have a point about the name there. Having a name like Porkchop, when in a law enforcement capacity, is right up there with being a near sighted proctologist named Dr. Ben Dover. Well, maybe not that bad, but you get the point (no pun intended). A community corrections officer is kind of another name for a parole officer. With prison overcrowding and inmate recidivism being what it is, lots of places are letting NON violent criminals out into society early to make room for dangerous ones. The turnover rate is horrible and a person can become really jaded if they're not careful, you're right. Teaching has been something I've wanted to do for a while also. The actual teaching is something I could do for 100 hours a week and never get tired or bored of it. However, dealing with difficult parents and bureaucratic red tape would even out the scales I'm sure. Great movie reference btw. Thats one of my favorite series for sure. I like to say that I'm 51% Gen-Y and 49% Gen-X. I'm comfortable with technology, but I still find it confusing sometimes. I listen to Kurt Cobain (well...Nirvana) and then go seemlessly into Neon Trees or Pickwick. I'll watch Indiana Jones, then The Hobbit haha. Just sayin *shrug* Thanks Laureleye. That is kind of where I'm at right now. I don't exactly HATE my job, but I know for a fact that I don't want to be doing it for the rest of my life. Driving a fuel truck is fun in the summer with the windows down and the music on full blast. My office is the open road and there is NO boss breathing down my neck. The other parts of the year can be kind of scary. I have to drive over the mountain pass and I've had a few close calls that probably took a few minutes off my life just out of sheer terror. Every year a few people end up rolling their trucks and not making it home. Definatly a sobering thought when thinking about working this job. But I agree, I'm excited (and scared in a good way) to get started with school again. Goal #1 - Went to the gym and had a one-man-party in the free weight section. Glad its over, very sore Goal #2 - I broke down and had a Taco Del Mar barrito because I "forgot" my lunch. I washed it down with a diet coke, could've been worse I guess Goal #3 - Done Goal #4 - Ate a bowl of my left over rice, turkey meat, peas, and egg creation. Its kinda like fried rice, but not as good

Haha been there brother. I've hit the reset button on my life a few times myself. Trying to weigh values and principles can be some heavy dope sometimes. Maybe fluctuating from one purpose to another isn't so bad, its made you an interesting person. Besides, if you're trying to go a creative route, that searching quality of yours coupled with those experiences will help make you more well-rounded. Maybe fluctuating and experiencing life from another angle is whats vital to you right now. If you're looking for a word for it, maybe call it being a seeker or an analyzer. I mean damn, you wrote 150 pages of a novel? If thats not creative, I don't know what is. Were it me, I would change my middle name to "I wrote 150 pages of a novel". Well, it would also be fun to fuck with people when they tried to call my name, but you get the point. Hang in there Paz, let the game come to you. Dude...Take your woman dancing! Like Sam said, even if its just in your own place. Don't be afraid to act a fool and laugh at yourself, just break through and have fun with it GO PANCZO!!!!

Keep up the great work Laureleye! Awesome job on goal #4, thats going to feel like a hug everytime you look at it Lets break it out the last couple of weeks here

I think I know what you mean about thinking hard about your life. Thats a normal thing and it shows inteligence that you're able to do it. I looked over your thread here and it looks like you have some good and worthy goals for yourself. A bucket list? Now that sounds like some fun. What do you think your's would concentrate on? Travel? Excitement? People? That would be alot to think about. If I may add my 2 cents, I think that writing a personal constitution is a great idea! Whether its in the form of a bucket list or anything else. Challenging ourselves is important so we don't get stale and begin the great downhill slide before our time. When we start to feel a growing dissidence inside of us, thats a good time to stop and take stock of our situation. To see what we can and can not change. I think the first thing on my bucket list would be...To make a bucket list. Hey Paz. Before I forget, as far as dancing goes, I'm totally in the same boat as you are. Being a straight white guy basically means that I can NOT dance whatsoever. I look really funny doing it and I'm most likely on youtube somewhere lol. Being guys means that we don't really need "dance skills", nobody is looking at us anyway haha. We just have to avoid stepping on anyone else's feet. HOWEVER...After the initial shock of moving to a beat, it feels MUCH more normal and less akward than being the only one sitting it out while everyone else dances. Don't overthink it. Believe it or not, its actually alot harder NOT to dance when everyone around you is. Just walk with your gf out to the dance floor and try not to spill anyone's drink, the rest will handle itself, man. Besides, I see that earlier in the thread here, TWO ladies requested that you go dancing. There is only one right answer you can give to that one PS - If you or your lady drink, a drink or two might help. I'll be rooting for ya, Panczo!!! Cheers

Thanks for the kind words and encouragement Panczo, we're all in this together. As far as searching for a different career, thats pretty much the long and the short of why I'm going back to school. At my age, one needs to be sure and have a concrete plan otherwise it can be a big waste of money and, more importantly, time. My course of study will be to finish my associates degree and tranfer to a state institution for the upper division classes (MUCH cheaper) in a couple years. For now, I'm just taking a math class. In summer quarter, I'll be taking math and another history class. LOVE history, not so much math haha. This is going to take some time and patience, but the end will justify the means and it'll be worth it I'm sure. Right now, I plan on taking my vow of poverty and go into teaching or become a community corrections officer also known as parole/probation officer (imagine having a teacher, or parole officer for that matter, named Porkchop lol) Both careers have the same undergraduate classes, and by the time I transfer to a 4 year, I'll know which one to fully pursue. If I may offer my unsolicited advice, find something that you're into and go for it, man. There will be times that it sucks alot, but in the end you'll be happy you went for it. We all have to start somewhere. Wow. I can't believe we're already done with week 4. Thanks for the words man Haha Thanks Riotgrly - I have to admit that I felt very UN super after I was done, but it was cheaper and better for me than beer. It was a good release of stress having spent most of the day in traffic. hmmm now I want blueberry pancakes again Goal #1 - Still on the fence about going to the gym tonight. I want to eat spaghetti and watch The Hobbit, so this could easily become a day "off" Goal #2 - There was a BBQ at my work when I came back. I had one HUGE cheeseburger and a piece of chicken. Diet soda was available, so I opted for that despite being looked at sideways lol. Goal #3 - Saw the advisor today. We worked out a course plan and she highly recommended that I stick with one class for spring quarter. I tried to take a second class, but she was very insistant that it only be one. I see her point. Looks like I go into the next math class up from the BS math class. This will be more of a structured class instead of a glorified study hall. My grand plan is to eventually become a teacher or community corrections officer (would I have to go by Mr. Porkchop?). These careers both share many upper division (and all lower division) classes to allow for some wiggle room if needed. I'm really excited to get this show started, the journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step. Goal #4 - Missed breakfast, but had a latte and remembered to pack a lunch

Way to master the day RG. I bet that once your team starts the race, they'll be having so much fun that they'll forget they were ever wishy-washy about it. Keep going strong and that sucks about the weather, WA state is no better. We may need to sacrifice a goat or something to get spring started this year.

You got this on lock, Miranda! Congrats on that, it sounds like you're really excited about it. If its something you like (even a little bit), then count yourself as lucky Also, not having alot of downtime will make the day go faster and smoother...always a good thing. Keep on surrounding yourself with positivity and awesome-ness. If (American) english wasn't my first language, I don't know how I would ever learn it haha. Besides chinese, english has to be the hardest to learn. Just looking at this post alone, I wouldn't know where to begin. Got this on lock? Awesome-ness? I'm in awe of bilingual people. Keep going strong - I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya!

Those leopards are so majestic. You KNOW you're an apex predator when you can be scary even while purring. I must admit that I kept expecting the guy's hand to turn into a snack. Yeah, exploring is a forgotten art. Its alot more fun in rural park/forest settings, just don't forget your pepper spray

Haha LW, I'll at least say that corn flakes can be dressed up and made better. They're no Cap'n Crunch or Cocoa Pebbles, mind you, but they're good enough. I'm going with online classes in Summer quarter too. Its more compressed, but the quarter is a couple weeks shorter which is nice. I'm not going full load (15+ credits/3+ classes) yet, but will most likely need to work my way up to that level eventually. Thanks Tanktimus, I wish I started it a long time ago Thanks PA! I'm not stressing out as much anymore, work has kept me too busy to dwell on it last few days, thankfully haha. Thanks Faraxk! I like that last part of "why you want it". Thats very sage advice because to be completly honest with you, I didn't really know what I was doing when I went in my early 20s. It does feel different now though, definatly more clarity of mind and goals. I also like how far the online courses have come since I last took one, it'll be an adventure for sure. Goal #1 - Work was pretty insane late last week. I made it to the gym religiously, but eased up a bit on the weight training. I stuck with an hour of treadmill everyday after work with a quick run through of basic machine lifts on weight days (blasphemy, I know). That cardio felt great and I really needed it. Goal #2 - (Drumroll) NO FAST FOOD! Pathetic that I have to brag about it like that, but what the hell Goal #3 - Advising meeting tomorrow (walk-in). I imagine we'll chart a course and I'll get a clearer picture of what needs to get done and what I need to take. Goal #4 - Today for breakfast, I had the best blueberry pancakes in the world. Seriously, they really outdid themselves this time. Breakfast slipped a little last week, but I enjoy a latte on my way into work and that holds me over until lunch.

LOL LOL LOL Wings - You're the best! Get that good mark on midterm. Show 'em how its done!

I promise you that keeping your room clean is worth its weight in gold to your parents This past weekend should be writen off for everybody as a free weekend pass. Its funny how when we go without junk food for so long, they taste all the better when we do have them again. Good on you for giving yourself a break at the party. No one wants to be the food snob and refuse everything. Like they say, everything in moderation, including moderation.

We got this brotha. On the home stretch now Thanks JAS - I guess it could've been worse, but I'll hold it together now and watch out for my triggers LMAO Sambalina - You're the best. St Patrick would be very dissapointed (or proud, who knows) in me if he knew how much green beer I've enjoyed in his honor over the years. I've opted out of the green suds for a while now, I just go au naturale. But its always fun to see the younger folk enjoying themselves with it. I totally agree that building the habbit of going to the gym is important. For me anyway, the less I have to think about doing it, the better. And yes, half-assed is better than no-assed. As weird as it sounds, I plan to go full-ass tomorrow for sure. The advising meeting is kind of stressing me out a bit, but its good stress if that makes sense. I haven't been to school in a while and even the math lab (glorified study hall) I took kind of gave my system a jolt. I can tell already though that I'm going to like this and succeed. One thing that shocked me was all the older people going back to school there. Seriously, I'm 33 and I was expecting to be the old man on campus. But I'm probably in the middle range as far as age goes which was a load off. Anyway, I'll definatly post about the meeting on here. Goal #1 - Went to the gym and did 45 minutes on the treadmill. Great stress reliever I would say. Goal #2 - No fast food. Almost slipped, but almost only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades (sorry, thats one of my favorite sayings) Goal #3 - As stated above, I'm kind of stressing out a little about meeting with the advisor. Spring quarter starts soon and I signed up for the next-level-up-math-class. The other class I wanted to take was full almost from the beginning of registration. So I can either take a class that doesn't interest me to fill the gap, or wait until summer/fall quarter and get in for sure. This is going to take a looooong time I guess anything worth doing does Goal #4 - Missed breakfast, but had a latte. I packed a lunch so I wasn't caught off guard when I was offered some Burger King after work (Ben 1 - fast food 0)