catscratch

I leveled up!

Things I've accomplished since I last updated:
Path of Skilled Hands:

- Kraft Lawrence

-Vincent Valentine
 

Path of the Body:

- 5 mile run

Update for Week 2:

This week fell a little short due to some self-indulgent behavior.

First, I ate out of the Den once.  We went to lunch with a friend after helping him move a large cabinet piece at a Chinese buffet.  So that's down a letter grade for that quest.

Secondly, I missed my Friday workout.  I just really wanted to relax and not worry about anything in life for a day so I played Borderlands 2 all day.  I kept up on a side challenge Strife and another are having (group Hard Hat Challenge), though.  Still, down a letter grade for that quest.

Lastly, I did not finish a drawing this week.  Very disappointed with that one in particular.

I DID get both of my runs in this week though, even if I had to do them on my way to work.

Quick Update: Week 1 entirely complete, side quest and all.  I've even thrown in a little weight lifting in my down time!

Well, I've gotten ALL of my main quests done for the week.  All that is left is my weekly drawing.  I should have plenty of time to work something out between work hours over the next 3 days!  Week One: YOU ARE MINE!

As night settled into the the valley where his Den is, Catscratch disarms his doorway and quietly ventures out into the wilderness.  The air is still and brisk.  Bundled up and crouching low, he resembles a small black drake, his breath wreathing his head in small clouds that slowly drift away and dissipate.  Making sure there are no witnesses, he sets off at a gentle lope.

Let's see how well these legs of mine do...

----------------------

So far, I have met all my routine goals and ran 1 of 2 miles!  I feel like I have planned pretty well for myself.  The workouts are hard enough that I feel sore and achy, but not painfully so.

I ran a mile tonight on my way to work, so I had to do it in lots of clothing and boots.  1.1 miles in 10m48s, though.  Not too shabby for a start.

ALSO, on a side note, I acquired a workout bench and a set of dumbbell adjustable weights!  THESE ARE MY VERY FIRST WEIGHTS, EVER!!  I'm pretty excited about this turn of events.  I plan on doing lots of tip-toe stands (or whatever the technical name is for the exercise that helps build calf muscle) while holding 40lbs of weights.

I like your progress so far!  I agree on the

On/off topic, lets join up and go look for random encounters soon.

I feel like that is an EXCELLENT idea.  This first week of soloing has been pretty good so far, but some party action would be a great change of pace for a bit.

 What is your real-life motivation for that one?

I want to be able to have a marketable skill that I enjoy.  If I can make a living (or at least supplement my income) with art projects, I'd be incredibly happy with my life.  Also, I have always wanted to create a manga >.>

I love the tone

 

And especially the Strength of Thor workout! (I have a weakspot for the god of thunder...) Where did you get them from?

I saw a post on Imgur, actually!

Glad to see you back! It's been a while since I saw you in the assassin's den. 6 month? A bit more? I love your side quest, if you need some ideas, I can give you some, for the guild, of course

It has indeed been quite awhile since I've made the assassin's den my haunt, unfortunately.  I've been keeping up at the eating healthy (for the most part), but my exercise has gone downhill dramatically and I decided I needed to really get back on that.  Luckily, my friend Strife had pointed out to me that a new 6 week challenge was about to go down! 

Also, I'd LOVE to have you send me some messages for drawing ideas.  Figuring out what to draw has been part of my excuses for putting it off.

I'm excited to participate in this challenge.  It's been MANY months since my last 6 week challenge.  Day One was fairly painful, but not too bad.  I missed this community!

It was 8 degrees in Colorado yesterday, so that isn't so bad (no humidity! YAY!)... but the bad thing about the cold is 'cold season', if you know what I mean. The sniffles and the weather have me doing teeny exercises in my room. That blasted snow...

Yeah, I'm just doing bodyweight exercises in my living room.. with a space heater on.

The Den, as he affectionately calls it, is Catscratch's safehouse for the region.  The small but adequate space was perfect for entertaining himself when he needed to lay low.  Some reading material, a few knick-knacks to keep it a little less boring, and two pieces of furniture for comfort were all that adorned it. Having locked and trapped the door behind him, Catscratch surveys his domain.

I suppose I should have transported some training equipment here.. too late now. I must remain unseen until the event. Well, no time like the present.  Time is ticking..

Clearing a space on the floor, he prepares himself for a vigorous body-weight training routine.

I would just like to point out that it is warmer in ANTARCTICA then it is in Iowa.. that's crazy!

Supposed to be -20 tomorrow. Got almost a foot of snow today.

Thankfully we've just got the bit of snow that dropped a couple days ago.  I have to tend bar tonight and tomorrow.. it's it going to be so empty.  Nobody is going to come out in -30 to -45 degree weather.  Maybe I'll lift some empty kegs for an improvised workout!   XD

*Catscratch had joined the party!*

If anybody I know can keep to his goals, I believe it is you.  Your constant positive outlook will definitely help you and many others through their quests, myself included!  We need to reinstate our game nights and add workouts to the itinerary.

Silence blankets the forest, broken only by the occasional flapping of wings or creaking of tree.  A seldom used road lies just on the other side of the tree line, leading into the nearby town.  Twilight draws near, shadows lengthen.  Crouching low, Catscratch surveys the paths available.  He needn't trod them yet, but a good Assassin plans his path in advance.  The trees seemed fairly close together, but Winter's chill had removed any foliage cover.  The ground was pure and white, marred only by the passing of wildlife, some of which had created clear trails to several points exiting the woodlands.

Deer.. rabbit.. fox.. ahhh, what's this?

Catscratch carefully brushes aside a low-hanging set of branches from a nearby bush.  A set of human footprints, partially obscured, purposefully no doubt.

So, I am not the only one to have been here recently.  Troubling.  Somebody must patrol here, but I cannot tell how often.  Damnable snow..

Glancing around the area, it appears that traveling by ground is not going to be one of the better options should this area be under surveillance.  He would have no time to properly conceal his tracks once the mission was under way.  

Alright, through the canopy it is.. but this chill and winter idleness had not been kind to my body.  I shall need to prepare myself or risk injury.

Reaching into a concealed pocket, he pulls out a folded slip of paper.
___________________________________________________________
|                                                                                                                     |
|            Your invitation has been procured and is contained within.            |
  |               This is a requirement to pass through the front door.               |
|             Winds guide you, Shadows hide you, Contracts bind you             |
 |                             17 crows must fly by the 2nd moon                             |
|___________________________________________________________|
 

The party was being held at a manor just up the road from where he would exit the woods, roughly a mile.  It wouldn't do to have anybody seeing a guest at such a prestigious event running out of a forest, not to mention running up to the gates.  A carriage ride was out of the question.. no loose ends.  That left running the short distance without looking like he had done just that with only a couple minutes to clean up.  Putting away the slip, Catscratch notices something on the ground at his feet.

Oh.. please don't.. bloody hell..

The invitation lay half buried in snow where it must have fallen from his pocket. Careful examination of the sodden parchment reveals an ornate design bordering a personalized invitation for one Sli Steil.  Of course, no such person existed but there would be far too many people for the door attendant to double check every invite.  No, now the problem was that half of the ink had ran and bled out, ruining the invitation.

Damn and double damn.. looks like I'll have to re-forge it or getting in will be difficult.  This template took far too long to procure and there are only six weeks remaining until I am to meet my contact.  I must not mess this up if.  I will become stronger, I will become better, I WILL make my Clan proud to have accepted me.

Glancing one last time around before returning to his Den, Catscratch vanishes into the dusk's purple shadows, his tracks obscured behind him.

To Be Continued...
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Catscratch must work on a few goals if he is to be able to traverse the canopy, make it past the front door, and make contact all without drawing undue attention to himself.  He will need to work on his strength and endurance for this.  Also, he will need to hone his artistic abilities if he is to recreate the invitation.

Muscle and endurance building is the overall goal and will consist of three parts: weekly routines of sets, minimum distance running per week, and eating healthy.  Catscratch will need to Level Up if he is to advance amongst the ranks of Assassins.

Like a Leaf on the Wind (Str +2, Dex + 2, Con +1, Sta +2, Cha +1)

Mondays and Thursdays:
- Warm-up routine: Stretches and 1 set of Level 1 Power Up
- Ripper: Level 1

Tuesdays and Fridays:
- Warm-up routine: Stretches and 1 set of Level 1 Power Up
- Strength of Thor: Level 1

Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays:

- Stretches

- Work on other Goals

He will allow himself to miss 2 individual sessions if something comes up and he is absolutely unable to perform.  He can't beat himself up for events he can't control.

 

Down the Silent Road (Sta +1, Con +1)
Weekly:
- 2 sessions of at least one mile each.  Going to try for the best time he can achieve.

 

Health and Obscurity (Con +1, Wis + 2)
Eating healthy from home:
- NO FOOD FROM VENDORS!  It is important that he remain as unseen as possible.  Also, his cooking is healthier than the cheap fare offered for the patron on the go.
 

Side Quest: Forgery (Wis +2)
Increase artistic ability:
- One complete drawing a week of varied subjects.  His hand must be steady and sure if he is to pass off this forgery.
 

Grading
A - 100%
B - 75%
C - 50%
D - 25%
F - 0% (Not an option)

Leaf on the Wind:
A = 0 Weeks with a missed session
B = 1 Week with a missed session
C = 2 Weeks with a missed session
D = 3 weeks with a missed session
F= 4+ weeks with a missed session

Down the Silent Road:
A = 0 Weeks with a missed session
B = 1 Week with a missed session
C = 2 Weeks with a missed session
D = 3 weeks with a missed session
F= 4+ weeks with a missed session

Health and Obscurity:
Minus one letter grade for every 2 meals acquired outside the Den's kitchen.

Side Quest: Forgery:
Minus one letter grade per week sans completed drawing.

Will Catscratch be able to train himself to perform the tasks as needed?  Will his forgery pass the doorman's scrutiny?  Time will tell...

I was thinking similar things.  I have no foreseeable plans of upgrading to the paid service but it is at least working my brain a LITTLE.

Congratulations to all of you Assassins who made our presence known (and didn't get caught).  *Secret Assassin Salute*

I feel you! Watch out for that cold blast coming in this weekend! Here in ND our temps with wind chills are expected to dip somewhere between -45 and -70 by Sunday morning! Stay warm!

Yeah, I saw that we're going to be getting some -45ish wind chills ourselves.  Stay safe, stay warm, stay healthy!

I made a Lumosity account earlier today just to see what it was like.  I did the first little run though and found it to be, at the very least, entertaining.  However, I am loathe to spend time on entertainment that is being alloted to training my mind and body.  So my questions are thus: Does anybody here use Lumosity? If so, how was your experience with it?  Is it worth the time expenditure or mearly an entertaining way to pass the time.

Welcome to the Rebellion, soldier!  Maintaining motivation is something that I struggle with as well.  I found that resisting that VERY FIRST temptation to just sit and play video games and replacing it with a goal and reward has helped to strengthen my will against future lapses in motivation.  Just the other day I work up and turned on my Xbox.. then realized that I had JUST told myself that I need to be more productive.  So I turned off the tv and worked on a drawing I promised to do.  Then I cleaned a little, did some pushups and planks... THEN I played some Borderlands 2 as a reward. 

Otaku, I am

To this forum I welcome

You, my fellow geek

You've found the Rebel base.  We're here to cheer you on.

I return from the darkness of winters night to let my inner light shine
Excuses only serve to dampen this burgeoning fire of mine
Like the Phoenix, I rise, reprised, and resolved to abandon the refrain
Stretch out my wings and bring my life to full flame
 
 
Hello!  I return, but with a new name.  I have abandoned the old moniker of Broken Raven, as I am not broken.  Cleansing my life with the fires of my ignited Will starts with positive thinking.  I have entered this new year and new era of my life with vim and vigor, resolved to make the changes I always said I would.
 
I WILL hone my drawing skills by regular practice.
I WILL hone my body through regular exercise.
I WILL hone my mind through self-education.
I WILL abandon my lazy, procrastinating ways through hard work and determination.
 

"May steel break before my resolve."

Greetings, Nerd Fitness.. it's nice to meet you again..

My girlfriend LOVES sloths.. and thus have I come to love their cute faces, too...  best set of pictures ever..

It's bloody cold here in Iowa!  I've been exercising just to keep my toes from freezing..