Bob the Bardbarian

September 1st, 2018 It's been a rough week. I've been struggling with... well, I keep judging myself based on my own weight. I'm literally measuring my self-worth based on my relationship with gravity. I know that's bullshit, and that I have a lot of other qualities to offer the world. I also know the pressures put on by society, where are food in America is loaded with salt and sugar, and yet we're supposed to maintain this ideal look of healthiness. I know it's all bullshit, and yet it's hard for me to escape that feeling sometimes... I've also been thinking a lot about my exercise routines. I want to do things that are more fun, but I'm far too heavy. I also know that I need to eat better. I have to eat better. On the plus side, I finished up my first music project, and I'm looking forward to my next one. Should be a lot of fun.

92.4% for my summer class. Go me.

August 23rd, 2018 Last Tuesday was fantastic. I got some days off work, and I spent the entire day getting some stuff done. I ate well, I worked out, I made music, and I enjoyed every single second of it. Work hard, play hard, and relax harder. It was honestly one of the better days I've had in a while, and considering all the crazy shit I've been going through, that's really saying something. On the downside, I probably won't have completely studied up on being able to take my CompTIA A+ cert test. At the very least, I'll study as much as I can, when I can, and probably while school is going on. However, before I can do that, I need to finish up the album and have it released. One less thing to worry about. It's nearly done. One more track to complete, and we're good. I'm getting shit done. It feels... really awesome. I'm... feeling okay. Not happy, jump and down for joy sorta thing, but I'm okay. I've been learned new ways to deal with my downs, and celebrating my ups. I'm okay. I'm really okay. It's great.

Last Tuesday was fantastic. I got some days off work, and I spent the entire day getting some stuff done. I ate well, I worked out, I made music, and I enjoyed every single second of it. Work hard, play hard, and relax harder. It was honestly one of the better days I've had in a while, and considering all the crazy shit I've been going through, that's really saying something. On the downside, I probably won't have completely studied up on being able to take my CompTIA A+ cert test. At the very least, I'll study as much as I can, when I can, and probably while school is going on. However, before I can do that, I need to finish up the album and have it released. One less thing to worry about. It's nearly done. One more track to complete, and we're good. I'm getting shit done. It feels... really awesome. I've lost about 60 lbs. since July of last year. Here's to losing some more.

Soon

I present to you, the shittiest boss battle music ever! https://goo.gl/3yMr3V Or, more accurately, Bob's really, really bored at work.

Monday, August 20th, 2018 Sunday was very humbling, as I came to the realization that I am way too heavy to be doing the exercises I want to do. Not just humbling, but also disgruntling. Still, I can walk, and if that's what I have to do for now, then so be it. I've been consistent with my walking and eating as well. It's been good for me. I really don't have much else to say about it. It's been kinda boring. I'm tired. I didn't sleep well last night. I had to piss every 3 fucking hours, and my neck is killing me, for the third day in a row. I think my pillows are causing it. I need new ones or something. Maybe I just need to fluff them. Today just feels like a "meh" kinda day. I know I needed to send an update, but I don't have much to write. Like I said, tired. But, things are going well in other aspects of my life. The album is coming along nicely. God I'm tired. I need to... do stuff.

Sitting in car on a road trip with my sister, her wife, and my nephew. Nephew: "Mom, can I play with the iPad some more?" Sister-in-Law: "No, not right now. You've already played with it for 30 minutes." Nephew: *nearly in tears* "But mom! I'm so bored!" Me: "Hey it's okay. When I was your age I didn't have any electronics on car rides... Well, that's not true. I did have a Game Boy." Nephew: "What's a 'Game Boy'?" ... Ow...

So this lawyer is talking to this widow. "Did you know your husband left you 48 million dollars lady? 48 million dollars, and he couldn't even read or write?" "Yeah he couldn't swim either."

I figured the votes would be more one sided, but there's been an even mix of both albums wherever I've posted this question. I'm actually a little surprised.

Friday, August 17th, 2018 Had a chat with my doctor yesterday about my depression meds. He talked about taking me off them eventually after about 9 months, so that my brain would "learn" to produce serotonin on its own. Honestly, the thought of being off my meds scares the hell out of me. I've been fine ever since I've been taking them, and I didn't like the way I was when I wasn't on them. Still, if taking them for a while will "fix" my head, I'd say we could at least try it. I want to make sure we have a backup plan just in case it doesn't work. I was so much angrier without them, and I don't want to go back to that place ever again... Just got back from a rucking session. I lightened the weight on my backpack a bit, so that's helped. I really don't know what to say. I mean, when I made my last post, I was really sad. I was in a bad spot I couldn't get out of emotionally, and work was kicking my ass. Now, I guess I'm okay. Maybe my happiness is supposed to come in short bursts or something. But, I am okay. And that's what's important. This feels less like a daily step forward, and more like a journey into Bob's head. Fuck it. We'll go with that. Gonna workout tomorrow and Sunday. Gonna get back into parkour training. Talking about it with my doctor made me really realize how much I miss it, and how I need to get back into it. My small town is just waiting to be explored.

So it's been a couple of days, and things have been going reasonably well. I didn't walk yesterday, but I have been squatting everyday. Making time to do it with a friend helps. Working out is harder than I thought, but I'm making time for it. Also, I just finished up my summer class, and fingers crossed, I should be getting a 94%. We'll have to wait and see. Lastly, I'm down to the last 2 songs in my first music project. I've also finished the album artwork for it last night. I'm really excited to share it with all of you once it comes out. Things are going good. I hope things are going awesome with your quests as well. Keep it up!

Mostly I've been messing around with Magix Music Maker. Kind of a beginner's DAW I know, but it works for what I need it for. Right now I'm only messing with samples, but I plan on actually making my own soon in the future. I'd love to work with FL Studio one day. As far as the music I write, right now I'm doing everything: glitch hop, symphonic metal, chill beats, whatever my weird brain can come up with. I also have a Fender Strotocaster that I'm trying to make time to learn.

I did a little bit of it back in the day. I had a DVD I got off of Penguin Magic, but I'm sure you could find YouTube tutorials online. The nice thing about contact juggling is that you don't need an acrylic ball to start off with. You can start learning with what you'd probably use for regular juggling: Fruit. Just buy a nice round orange, look up some videos, and have fun. I will say this though: If you're just learning, a lacross ball is easier to learn with. Bigger, more solid, and if you drop odds are it'll bounce so you can catch it. From there you can graduate to an acrylic ball. After that, for hard mode, try practicing with a billiard ball. It makes the acrylic so much easier.

What did the doe say after she came out of the woods? ... ... ... ... ... "I'll never do that for two bucks again."

It's been over a year since I've posted on the NF forums, and let me tell you, it's good to be back. I've been going over my goals again, and am slowly making progress. I've already lost 50 lbs. and things are looking up. I've also started making music again with a digital audio workstation, or DAW. All of my music will be free for anyone to download. So prepare yourselves my friends. Good things are happening very soon

If you can find a parkour school in your area, a good parkour instructor will know how to compensate for any injuries you may have. The beauty of bodyweight and parkour exercises, is that there's always a way to modify them to your skill level. In addition to taking things slow and listening to your body, if you're looking for a good starting point, search for quadrupedal movement exercises, and the safety vault. No jumping required

So I've been getting back into making electronic music with a DAW, of several different genres. I'm nearly done with my current project, and I'm already thinking about my next one. I have a couple of ideas in my head, but I'm not quite sure which one to work on first... SO! Out of curiosity, of the two albums you could listen to, which would you prefer: A. A radio broadcast, taking place 5 years after a zombie outbreak. The year is 2026. The carnage over the globe has finally calmed down, and everyone is getting used to everyday life, as mankind slowly starts to rebuild itself. Government officials stay locked away in whatever hidden bunkers they've built for themselves, while the rest of humanity is found either living in makeshift outposts, or roughing it out in the wilderness - fighting against bloodthirsty raiders, countless zombies, and the perils of mother nature herself. Electricity is slowly finding its way back into the world, and the only form of communication is amplitude modulation radio broadcasting. Enter "Bad News Barry", an electrical engineer turned radio DJ in the pacific northwest, broadcasting whatever music he can find in the rubble of old record stores, or whatever music people mail to him in his fortified broadcasting station in Seattle (rock, hip-hop, techno, and country). Barry also provides weather and traffic reports, helpful information segments, and rumors and news from the surrounding outposts. Think the serious, survival-nature tone of The Walking Dead, meets the facetious, carefree attitude of Galaxy News Radio from Fallout 3. OR... B. The soundtrack to your next cyberpunk adventure. Heavy rain falls upon the city built from grimy steel and neon dreams at dusk. Flying cars and food trucks dot the city, frequented by those who can afford cybernetic limbs that actually work. Towering skyscrapers seem to pierce the heavens, as the lucky few who control the streets look down upon it, like kings in their ivory towers. Meanwhile you, on the ground level with the rest of the scum, are wondering how to spend your evening. Do you check out the techno-punk-fusion show in that hacker's basement? Do you attend the next jazz improv session at the rooftop garden club? Do you head to your favorite dive bar to see if Marty's got any work for you? Do you log onto the web, and see what new exploits are happening in corporate security? Do you sneak into the Techno-Comp shipping facility, without triggering the silent alarm this time? Or do you head underground into the network of subway tunnels, searching for something much more... sinister? Whether you're playing Shadowrun, getting into the hacker mindset, or just love electronic music, this soundtrack will put you in the perfect state of mind, combining the sounds of dark bass tones, 80's synthesizers, and dirty punk rock.

If you're looking for good recipes, I always recommend the blog Budget Bytes. Delicious and easy recipes, that are easy on your wallet too.

How many steps are you looking to get into every day? Also, what are you tracking your calories with? You got an MFP account?

Following. Post a pic when those knives are complete. Love to see them

Have fun with the cold showers

If you're looking for a good book on bodyweight exercises, "Convict Conditioning" is a great read IMO. The beginning is very preachy about bodyweight exercises being superior than weights, but after you get past that, the wealth of knowledge is incredible. It shows how to get a lot of results with not a lot of equipment. Worth a look.

I had family who did the Whole30. It really resets your taste buds.

If you're going to try a fitness class, I can't recommend parkour enough. We're still into the end of summer, so there's gotta be some outdoor classes where you live. Best of all, first one's usually free.