Bastian Fate

Well, I haven't been doing that well in terms of sleep or stretching... It's 11:30 now so I should really sleep. However, I did learn and record the bass line for "Into Free"! Slowly, I'll put all the parts together For now though, sleep!

Thanks I'm keeping my goals small and attainable. Speaking of which, I should do my stretching now! Have a good sleep!

C III - Entry I, The sun has set and risen hundreds of times since my last entry. Just like the sun sets and rises, things have ended and begun around me and in my life in that time. But Nin, my mentor, is ever elusive. That's not to say I have not learned in this time, I have, about a great many things. But the fact is, I have still not been able to catch him. It's been some time since I saw him in fact. Nin, a ghostly, shape-changing lupine, told me that if I can catch him, I will earn his wolf's amulet, and the power of the wolf. But to do so, I must awaken the wolf within me. I could go on about the events between then and now. But what point is there in that? The sun may have set for a time, but it always rises again. And so it shall. The past is behind me, the rest of my life ahead, and right now, in front of me, is an opportunity to change, a choice that always was, and always will be there. It will not be a fast process. I will not change all at once... I know it is foolish now to make your goals so large they swallow you. You want it to be the other way around, bite-sized chunks. And so, once again, I will begin my training. I know not how much I will journal from this point, and I admit some part of me is afraid of saying "I will succeed", for some part of me doubts that. But that is not the part I want to listen to. Dark Seb, the manifestation of my fears, is ever hunting me, but I will not lose to him. I will succeed. - Bastian's Journal My name is Sebastian Woodland; most people call me Seb, but as an adventurer, I go as Bastian. You can call me whichever you want! As you can see I wrote up a bit of a story here, to continue what I was doing years ago when I did a few 6 week challenges. Who knows if I will continue with that I felt like I needed to write at least one more though. So of course I am late to start this challenge, but whatever. The point is I am doing it. If being late mattered more than just starting, well, I wouldn't do much. I've been late to a lot of things in my life. I'm going to start using the nerd fitness character to keep track of levels and stuff, and just do what feels right, so admittedly I'm not looking into what the new rules and stuff are too much cause I feel like I just need to start. I can go back and change things later if I need to! I'm keeping the challenge reaaaally simple, and I'm going to stick with these in the next one if I still haven't gotten them as habits yet. Later, I can add more and improve in other areas. I just feel personally like I've been stagnant in this area (health/fitness/self-care - AKA really important stuff) for a long time and just have to start again now I admit I am kinda scared to even post this, I've been alone in my struggles for so long, it feels like a big step. But I also realize that is a silly fear! 4 (2) Week Challenge Goals: Stretch/Yoga every day Go to sleep by 11:30PM or earlier every day. Get up by 8:30AM or earlier every day. Record a cover of "Into Free", even if it's just one part to start with

C II - Entry VIII, Kat and I had regrouped after a dangerous few days apart on our own separate quests. I had slept in foreign lands in my travel clothes for two nights, gone hungry from sparse food, and neglected to shower for far too long. On top of it all, I had obligations to stay up late, and discomfort enough to stay up later, leaving me tired, and I was hit with what some call an abdominal migraine for two days. All in all, it was a challenging couple of days, and admittedly I failed to workout or stretch or run in that time. I even neglected to play guitar, which is strange for me. Needless to say, when I returned from my journey I was exhausted and disoriented. It took me a day and a half with Kat before settling back in place and I slept more than usual to make up for what I had lost. However, just yesterday while Kat and I walked on through a forest, we decided to stop putting off our training. We ran to a small, familiar glade and there we did push ups, squats, and planking. It wasn't a complicated or even full workout, but it was a workout nonetheless and we made a conscious effort to do it, despite both feeling rather run down. And you know what? Afterwards, both of us, though physically tired, felt more awake and prepared and settled. I will catch Nin, just you all wait. - Bastian's Journal

I actually completed the card deck project which I started 3 years ago, which means I can actually get stuff done and it also means I get an extra A+ for week 4!!! Report Card - Week 4 No Sugar: 0/0 A+ Stretches: 4/7 C+ Workout: 2/3 B Runs: 1/3 C+ Guitar Playing: 4/7 C+ BONUS: Card Deck 1/1 A+Overall grade Week 4: B Next week's goal: A-, that's my new goal! I've got 2 more weeks to get it!

C II - Entry VII, After the workout, Kat and I joined up to practice our stretches. I contemplated what Nin had said... I would need more than strength and flexibility to catch him. I would need endurance, and quickness too. There is much for me to do. - Bastian's Journal

C II - Entry VI, Journals can be difficult to keep up with. These past weeks have been difficult I must say, but things are looking up! I just finished a short album of music for a play of sorts, entitled "Cerulean", which has just begun touring. Aside from that, I've gotten back on the ball with my challenge. I worked out two days ago (with one day of rest), continued to practice my music, and have avoided extremely sugary foods so far this week. And, Nin appeared again. He came before me in spirit form, and told me finally of his little game. "You must awaken the wolf in you. Once you can catch me, you will have succeeded, and the form of the wolf will be yours to command. But you will know then to use it for good only. This..." he held up the pendant of the wolf's head, "will be yours when you catch me, as a symbol of your awakening." Of course, I chased him. But I could not catch him, I grew tired too quickly and lost sight of him, and my speed was just too slow. I hadn't the strength to climb over rocks and fallen trees quickly enough. So here I am, about to begin my training again. - Bastian's Journal

I'm glad to be here to help! This next week is going to rock!

I'm adding another sidequest: Complete the "Legends Card Deck" (a project I started literally years ago and has just been wearing me down ever since) by next Friday. I forgot to update in a while, so I'll be posting both last weeks grade and this week's grade. Unfortunately I've been so preoccupied with other things I've let this challenge slip a little lower on my priorities list than I would like... There are still three weeks to go though! Report Card - Week 2 No Sugar: 2/0 B Stretches: 3/7 C Workout: 1/3 C+ Runs: 3/3 A Guitar Playing: 7/7 A+Overall grade Week 2: B Report Card - Week 3 No Sugar: 3/0 C+ Stretches: 2/7 C Workout: 1/3 C+ Runs: 1/3 C+ Guitar Playing: 7/7 A+Overall grade Week 3: C+ Next week's goal: A-, that's my new goal! I'm going to arbitrarily add that if I complete the card deck, I get an extra A+ to add to Week 4's outcome, if I don't I get an extra F.... the stakes are high!

https://youtu.be/G0UH-5I3jZA I completed sidequest 2! C II - Entry V, The following days Kat and I trained together. I managed to workout once, avoiding any vertigo. The ear infection seems to be leaving me almost entirely. I spent much of my time practicing my guitar, which I believe helped me heal. Kat played her harp, together we practiced and made music. In two days time, Kat and I plan to venture further into the forest then I have ever gone. We won't be able to bring much with us, but I feel prepared for the journey nonetheless. However, I am bothered to say that Nin hasn't returned. I fear I'll never be able to predict when he will return, or what his purpose is. And what of the pendant he held? I can only hope that soon he will show himself again and explain himself, but I fear that will not happen for a long while. - Bastian's Journal

C II - Entry IV, Nin stood before me, all wolf, materializing from a shifting blue spirit form. After that, he changed shape again, appearing as the half-man, half-wolf I had first seen him as. He spoke "It is time for me to train you." I simply nodded, not knowing which questions to ask first. We began a workout routine, I was demonstrating to him what I could do. First a warm up, jogging on the spot, then squats, pushups (I had to lean against a rock at an easier angle for the last 2 of 10), then dumbbell rows. After the dumbbell rows, I faltered, my vision spinning. I was experiencing a relatively intense amount of vertigo. I heard rustling in the leaves beside me, and Nin vanished. Out from the bushes came Kat, as I sat on the floor trying to steady myself. "Are you alright?" She said smoothly, a hint of concern in her voice. "Kat! I've been experiencing dizziness for the past few days, on and off, as you recall. I just began a training session, only to be hit with a noticeable bout of vertigo." I looked around hazily, the dizziness ever so slowly fading. "Nin was here." Kat looked around at the relatively empty surroundings of my camp. "Perhaps I scared him off." "Perhaps," I said. Kat turned to me, saying "You should go to the nearby village, the clerics there may diagnose you. We need to know if it's serious." I slumped a little. I had just begun training once more, only to be stopped by an unknown ailment. I admit it was frustrating, but I knew Kat was right, and was glad to have her support. I stood up slowly when the majority of the vertigo had faded. "I admit, it's better to be safe." "It always is when dealing with one's health. I do not joke about these things." She helped me up. I smiled at her, thanked her, and we began heading east to the temple of Amordi, god of silver. They told me I have an inner ear infection. I'll be taking things easy for the next few days or week, but hopefully I'll still get some of my objectives completed. - Bastian's Journal

Thanks Raven for the encouragement, and thank you Kat as well! :3 C II - Entry III, The past day I was hit with a slow dizziness, and at one point a startling dizzy spell. I hadn't seen Nin since swimming in the lake. This concerned me, but more immediately, I wasn't feeling too well. I decided it safest to return home, and after all, it was my mother's birthday. Our family gathered together and celebrated, though throughout the day I found it difficult to convince myself to perform any of my tasks. Even the day before I had felt a strange weariness sweep over me. I managed to entertain myself with guitar-playing and my brothers, and a day earlier spent some time with Kat. Now, today, I sit with my lunch. The vague dizziness is about me, so faint I could almost convince myself to get up and begin more training. But I feel unsure of myself... wait - I can see Nin! - Bastian's Journal

THAT'S THE SPIRIT Stretch- do it for Jayde.

Report Card - Week 1 No Sugar: 2/0 B Stretches: 4/7 C+ Workout: 1/3 C+ Runs: 4/3 A+ Guitar Playing: 7/7 A+Overall grade Week 1: B+ Next week's goal: B+! That's been my goal for a while now. Lets bump it up to A-, that's my new goal!

C II - Entry II, I followed the old spirit for a good couple of hours into the night, but at each turn he was one step ahead of me. I ran for the first half hour or so, then began to walk, before finally giving up. I sat myself down on an old, fallen log, staring out into the darkness around me. My eyes had adjusted but still, it was difficult to see. I pulled out something to eat from my pack, and pondered how difficult it had been to decline the baker's offer of cake and chocolate from the afternoon. I had stopped by a small Imperial town, hoping to gather Intel and some much needed supplies. In the end, my willpower was strong enough. I considered how I had been able to restrain myself and was momentarily satisfied, despite losing track of Nin. I heard a twig breaking to my right, and saw Nin perched on a large, low tree branch. He cocked his head to one side, before darting away through some bushes. I pushed past them, creating a much larger ruckus than was usually accepted by the rangers. Past the bushes, I could see a faint light in the distance, illuminating some of the trees. I followed, with Nin nowhere in sight. Shortly, I arrived at the small camp, another single tent. This time, however, I recognized the tent, and the woman sitting by the fire. It was my companion, Kat! We greeted each other, and spoke merrily of our travels. Kat was one of the Catfolk, in many ways similar to Nin with her half feline, half human appearance. We had been friends for what feels like eternity, and always happened upon each other, frequently enough that it could only be explained by fate. I stayed that night in her camp, but didn't see any sign of Nin. And of course, I told her of Nin. Few others would have believed me, but I knew, more sure than anything, that I could trust her. ​In the morning, we made breakfast together, and traveled to a nearby lake where we swam for an hour or so. Simply staying afloat in the water was difficult for me, certainly worthy of an exercise. At one moment, while desperately attempting any kind of swimming except the doggy paddle, I noticed across the lake, a shimmering blue spirit of a wolf. It was another of Nin's forms, and he simply nodded approvingly before vanishing. I wasn't sure what it meant, but I knew it was better than shaking his head, and I could tell that going swimming was providing a good workout. The next day or so I spent with Kat. We explored, we trained, we laughed and joked. It was a good time. I brought out my guitar and she her harp, and together we practiced our own songs. It was a wonderful set of days, but I saw no more of Nin. In the end, Kat had to leave on important business, and I was obligated to return to my home village to help my brother pack, for he was taking his cart and moving to a nearby village the next morning. I'm afraid that's all I can write tonight, my hand grows tired and my mind weary. - Bastian's Journal