JediNickD

I took on a new protege yesterday for Toastmasters. She is a PhD with more career ambition than anyone I'd ever met. She is likely the smartest person in every room she enters and wants to be able to show it, but when it comes to speaking, she is intimidated, because she does not have the natural skills others display. English is a second language for her, so she struggles with vocabulary, which she allows to effect her confidence, as well. She told me about how her co-workers see her struggles with briefings and recommend improvement to advance her career. Her instinct is to compare herself to others, which, for speaking, only reinforces her negative self-image. I believe if I can help her get around this perception to allow her to only see the progress she makes in improving her speaking skills, then she will have no problem being a vocal leader in her career field. Toastmasters has a lot to offer her in communication and leadership practice to accelerate her career, but we will start with the basics to build a solid foundation, which is all about preparing properly. Mastering vocal variety, gestures, and delivery comes from preparation and practice. They are the perfect basic skills to measure progress for improving public speaking; however, it is the progress made in preparation where the difference is really made. On the way to my meeting with my new protege, I am have setup another mentorship with a Toastmaster who is struggling to focus when juggling multiple tasks. I bumped into while walking and she explained her predicament with Toastmasters meetings and projects, as well as work tasks piling up. I believe I can help her get the tasks in line and start checking items off. She said she'd email me, but I'm certain I'll have to force my way into her schedule if she is to make any progress. This is the kind of stuff I love doing. Would either considering paying for such a service (outside of Toastmasters)? Could I make it a career without effecting my daily life? I feel the answer is no for both based on my experiences and knowledge of friends in that service. I don't feel I have the mastery of the required skills (outside of Toastmasters). I would have to devote so much of my time to clients outside of regular working hours (because that is when they are available). When the kids are both in high school, then I can begin to re-assess the time commitment. I can start with working towards mastery of skills by applying them in Toastmasters, Karate, and my career, but I also need to expand my knowledge of the field, which means reading. Where do I scale back to fit that in? Or more likely how do I re-prioritize and re-focus what I am already doing to incorporate it?

Welcome back for another episode of The Exciting Adventures of JediNickD! It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away that I joined this site and started my first challenge. World 1 was my first extended stay through 22 challenges. I took a hiatus from NF and came back with a new direction for my goals where I warped to World 2, which I defeated in a Boss Fight slaying some mighty big goals. In World 3, I continue to develop my fitness, getting my body in the best shape of my life, even with the Degenerative Disc Disease, Arthritis, Disc Fissures, and more. Through physical therapy exercises and karate, I have maintained my core and back muscles to ease the pressure off my spine, but in the end I defeated World 3 by transforming my life into a new form. With chiropractic care healing my spine, reaching the high ranks at karate, blazing through the new Toastmasters education program called Pathways, and working to complete Novice rank at IJRS, World 4 was something new everyday. I have moved over to the Monks to reach for more diversity in my workouts and culture as my focus has been more on my karate training in the recent months. As I actively take on more responsibility of coaching, mentoring, and teaching in all aspects of my life, I can see a different me forming on World 5. I just keep on L-I-V-I-N, fight the good fight lightin' it up, and level up my life!  Challenge Lesson: "It's so much bigger." The Force is more than just Light and Dark sides. There is everything in-between the extremes, which is a lot of grey area. In fact, like any good Gaussian curve, 90% lies in the grey area. Humans morals and ethics are the same. It rare to be at the extreme ends of any moral or ethical standard, whether righteous or evil. Luke could also be hinting at what might be unsee-able in the Force as they know it. If you've read the "New Jedi Order" book series with the Yuuzhan Vong invasion and war, then you might understand what I am referring to. But let me explain an analog. The Force could be like the Electromagnetic spectrum with no actual limits going to infinitesimally small to infinitesimally large. The visible light spectrum is a small portion of it. Before electricity was "discovered" and harnessed, humans only knew the visible light portion. What if Light and Dark ends of the Force were only the portion they had experienced? There are many other things which we perceive to know the bounds, but later find so much more beyond. Test the limits, think outside the box, break the mold, but understand where the mean will lie. My Main Quest and Mission: My mission is to be the best Jedi I can be. My main quest is always to enhance my overall health, fitness, and knowledge to be prepared for whatever challenges life could throw at me. As a Jedi, I need to be able to help people, whether that is a life threatening situation or just a charitable one. There is no boss level in Jedi training, there is only tomorrow. I'm using Habitica and Excel to track a ton of things, so I may make some changes below to better integrate them, but I'm sticking to the basics drawn to 5 Weeks. World 5 Level 2 Challenge: FITNESS: Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 500 min total, 100 weekly. Track time and distance. STA +1 Walking: Fortify the Spine - 1250 min total, 250 weekly. CON +1 Exercise: HIIT Lifting and Bodyweight - 300 min total, 60 weekly. STR +1, STA +1 Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - 700 min total, 140 weekly. DEX +1 Karate: Training and Practice - 1500 min total, 300 weekly. Track progress towards belt. Track improvement on all material. DEX +1, STR +1 DIET: Lean Body - Track weight. Complete measurements before or during Week 1 and again during or after Week 5. Looking to maintain 150 lbs or less while shrinking my waist and building muscle. CON +1 Keep on cutting out the crap - No CheezIts, limit snacking at work, cut down portion sizes. Drink more water. CON +1 LIFE: Get Stuff Done - Complete 110 Hours of various Chores and Maintenance, with at least 22 hours each week. Chores and Maintenance are the following areas (goal hours for challenge) Dishes (16), Laundry (10), Cooking/Cleaning/Dusting/Vacuuming/Trash/Other (32), Yard Work (2), Animal Care (24), Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance (10) WIS +1, CHA +1 Epic Quest - Complete something EPIC! I want to be able to look back at my four week challenge and say, "that was the challenge I did X". My challenges tend to be a lot of the same old. I've given myself plenty to improve in small steps, but I also want to see big strides in the things I've been working on. What box can I check? What have I been procrastinating? What am I focusing on? WIS +2, CHA +2 INCENTIVES! Working hard for CASH! ($516.85 carried over) REWARD: For each week in which I complete 25 or more hours of Chores and Maintenance, I will put aside $10 to spend how I see fit. CONSEQUENCE: For any week where I complete less than 22 hours, I will give up $10 of saved cash. REWARD: $5 for each Personal Project hour CONSEQUENCE : Lose $10 for each week without at least one hour for Personal Projects. REWARD: $5 for each HIIT workout. For a healthy heart among other things, HIIT is recommended by my health coach. I don't like them, but they are a necessary evil. CONSEQUENCE: Lose $5 for each week without a HIIT workout. REWARD: $5 for each day with weight below 154.0 lbs. CONSEQUENCE: Lose $5 each day with weight above 156.0 lbs. REWARD: $5 for 1 Sprint/Run/Bike workout (minimum 10 reps/30 min/10 min), $10 for second, $20 for third and up. CONSEQUENCE: Lose $10 for each week without one of these workouts. BONUSES: $1 for each hour working on Jedi Training (mentoring, reading/writing, charity, meditation, IJRS lessons). $2 for each hour working on Toastmasters including meetings. $2 for each Home Renovation or Auto Maintenance hour PENALTIES: Lose $10 for eating pizza, candy, popcorn, CheezIts, pretzels, potato chips. Lose $10 for more than 6 Dr Peppers a week or more than 6 meals with cheese a week.

World 5 Level 1 Challenge GRADES: FITNESS: Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 500 min total, 100 weekly. Track time and distance. STA +1 A = 500 min, weekly met Walking: Fortify the Spine - 1250 min total, 250 weekly. CON +1 A = 1870 min, weekly met Exercise: HIIT Lifting and Bodyweight - 300 min total, 60 weekly. STR +1, STA +1 A = 300 min, weekly met Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - 700 min total, 140 weekly. DEX +1 A = 750 min, weekly met Karate: Training and Practice - 1500 min total, 300 weekly. Track progress towards belt. Track improvement on all material. DEX +1, STR +1 A = 1710 min, weekly met DIET: Lean Body - Track weight. Complete measurements before or during Week 1 and again during or after Week 5. Looking to maintain 150 lbs or less while shrinking my waist and building muscle. CON +1 A Keep on cutting out the crap - No CheezIts, limit snacking at work, cut down portion sizes. Drink more water. CON +1 A LIFE: Get Stuff Done - Complete 110 Hours of various Chores and Maintenance, with at least 22 hours each week. Chores and Maintenance are the following areas (goal hours for challenge) Dishes (16), Laundry (10), Cooking/Cleaning/Dusting/Vacuuming/Trash/Other (32), Yard Work (2), Animal Care (24), Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance (10) WIS +1, CHA +1 A = 116 hrs, weekly met Epic Quest - Complete something EPIC! I want to be able to look back at my four week challenge and say, "that was the challenge I did X". My challenges tend to be a lot of the same old. I've given myself plenty to improve in small steps, but I also want to see big strides in the things I've been working on. What box can I check? What have I been procrastinating? What am I focusing on? WIS +2, CHA +2 A = Epic Stuff involved a variety of things, such as earning some stripes in karate, play practice for a kids play at church, doing a ton of Toastmasters speeches completing projects, mentoring other Toastmasters, and having an Epic Adventure with my wife for our 14th Anniversary (first ever Escape Room!, hiking, X-wing Mega Battle, and so on). INCENTIVES! Working hard for CASH! ($218.85 carried over) $516.85 SAVED REWARD: For each week in which I complete 25 or more hours of Chores and Maintenance, I will put aside $10 to spend how I see fit. CONSEQUENCE: For any week where I complete less than 22 hours, I will give up $10 of saved cash. REWARD: $5 for each Personal Project hour CONSEQUENCE : Lose $10 for each week without at least one hour for Personal Projects. REWARD: $5 for each HIIT workout. For a healthy heart among other things, HIIT is recommended by my health coach. I don't like them, but they are a necessary evil. CONSEQUENCE: Lose $5 for each week without a HIIT workout. REWARD: $5 for each day with weight below 154.0 lbs. CONSEQUENCE: Lose $5 each day with weight above 156.0 lbs. REWARD: $5 for 1 Sprint/Run/Bike workout (minimum 10 reps/30 min/10 min), $10 for second, $20 for third and up. CONSEQUENCE: Lose $10 for each week without one of these workouts. BONUSES: $1 for each hour working on Jedi Training (mentoring, reading/writing, charity, meditation, IJRS lessons). $2 for each hour working on Toastmasters including meetings. $2 for each Home Renovation or Auto Maintenance hour PENALTIES: Lose $10 for eating pizza, candy, popcorn, CheezIts, pretzels, potato chips. Lose $10 for more than 6 Dr Peppers a week or more than 6 meals with cheese a week.

I've been so busy, getting over here has been difficult. I've loaded the site, type a sentence or half, then my attention was elsewhere. I'm hardly keeping up with the Rugby World Cup! It doesn't help that it is in Japan and games air at 5am. Why doesn't the gym televise the games? They told me their channels are locked. I am keeping up with my goals though. We are in the home stretch, and I'm right on track. I wish I was doing a little better un-gaining the few pounds I picked up over the summer. I just feel better at 150 than I do at 155. It is more about the love handles sticking out for how I feel about my look. And it more about the dietary choices which make my stomach feel bloated and icky. The maintain 150, I make better choices and those love handles shrink just enough to make me look how I feel. Out of town this coming weekend for my wife and I's 14th wedding anniversary. We are heading to my parent's lake house for weekend away. It'll be nice and quiet, just being us, but I know she'll get bored if I don't hunt down some nearby fun. We may just take the kayaks out and spend the whole day at the lake. But I have to be prepared.

157.2 lbs Damn pizza. I need to give that stuff up. Karate practice this morning. Combos, forms, bag work, footwork drills, and weighted shoulder rolls and punches. Building quickness. Saturday went well with class and spar. I fought 3 one minute rounds against good opponents, using control with contact. The bigger guys got fists of fury from me, as I used my hands being quick on the attack to keep them occupied and guard my head at the same time. I got a fourth opponent for 30 seconds, because they wanted to wear me down to evaluate. My training and stamina were on point Saturday. I was ready to go another 3 rounds. I didn't sempai to give us a little more time before heading to the birthday party. I need to remember to ask the instructors about doing my creed before class. And I need to find out what Blue stripe is. The birthday party was a lot of fun. All 8 kids on my brother's side and I believe all 7 from my sister-in-law's side. Only one couple was missing (on travel in Germany for Oktoberfest). I behaved with the food and drink, eating a big salad and avoided the cheese dip. I didn't avoid the popcorn completely, though.

153.4 lbs Yesterday, I went through the Karate gauntlet thrown down by myself. After Monday's setback cramp, I've been cautious, but I've been behind on class count, and I had zero stripes, so I needed to drill hard and be ready for Saturday spar class. I ended up missing class on Wednesday, because the kids are sick, so Thursday was catch-up day for personal workouts and karate classes. 230 minutes of practice between morning and lunch workouts, sempai junior class, and attending advanced and adult classes. I almost had a stomach cramp during adult class from having my abs engaged for 10 minutes straight during an evasion and counter attack drill, but my body felt awesome after class. I'm sore, but it is good sore. I hit the hot tub this morning, stretched, exercised, and did some cardio with the soccer ball. I kept it light, because I'm planning 3 classes tomorrow, sempai, spar, and advanced. Then I have a birthday party for one of my nephews.

155.0 lbs I crushed Monday too hard. Lunch time sprints, some football/rugby training (mostly, kick and chase), and karate class in the evening felt great, but while lying in bed, I ended up with a muscle cramp in my right thigh. It's an odd spot on the inside near the knee, not the hamstring, groin, or quad. I've never had a cramp there, but I haven't done the training I did in a long time. The cramp slowed me down yesterday, stretching and exercising easy (and the hot tub). I was hoping to go to the gym at lunch again, but decided to let it heal longer instead. I did the recumbent bike this morning instead of a run. Karate class tonight could be tough if we do combos. I should be fine though if I sempai first and get a good limber warm up. I just need to take care of myself after with some protein, potassium, water, and stretching. Toastmasters today and I'm suppose to have a speech. I have a few always ready, but I was hoping to have something new ready. I need to keep working on it, so I'll go to the well. At least, I'll complete a Level 3 Award, so that is nice.

156.2 lbs Stretch and karate practice this morning. Worked on combos and quickness. Finished with bag work to improve controlled speed and cooled down with artistic Ko Ryu kata. My details from spar class on Saturday was to improve my control while still delivering quick strikes. I worked on it with the bag, but I'm not sure I'll show any improvement by next Saturday. For my Red Stripe test, I tested last, and the fighters I would expect to get had already fought against another tester. I expected to still get the same three since that is what they put me against in my last two tests. Instead, they gave me two young kids for my first two matches. The first was a 13 year old black belt who I knew would be fast and come after me. I kept moving and avoided being hit, but when I delivered punches the kid ran in and ate it. He was fighting angry and not being smart against a bigger opponent. I'm not sure what they want me to do when a kid comes at me hard like that. I used my feet to keep him at a distance, but he was quick to retaliate and gave me little choice. The next was a lower rank 11 year old girl who is really good with her feet, but she didn't use them. I guess I kept her from using them staying on the offensive, but taking it real easy hardly making contact. One of the instructors said I can't do that either. He said my controlled "misses" weren't helping my opponent. Ok, fine, I'll work on more controlled power with contact. My last fighter was a black belt 17 year old, whom I know well. I was able to counter his attacks, get inside, and use my punch combos. I was wearing down, so I couldn't do too many complicated spinning kick combos, but I did mix it up to stay unpredictable, which they liked. They gave me a fourth opponent, who was the tiniest little girl with no gear. She is 6 or 7 maybe, standing at 2 and half feet tall. It was non-contact, so my job was to move, get out of the way, and control my counter attacks (or more controlled "misses"). I feel like I did everything they are asking of me from the first two tests (pacing myself so I can stay in the fight, guarding myself better while on offense, and moving quicker to circle my opponent to create openings while avoiding attacks) and now I have new details, some contradicting the others, and I have to do the 3 minute test a fourth time (fifth time going for 3 straight minutes if you count in the spring when I fought a guy three straight minutes for his Red Stripe test). It's a little frustrating that it seems like they are holding me to a higher standard, but at the same time it is a nice pat on the back that they are giving me more of their time and focus. I just hope I can show them improvement next time.

5k was fun. My mile splits were 8:27, 9:34, and 10:16 with a final time of 30:10 and a solid kick at the finish. I was feeling good and loose so I went for it. I cranked up the pace this time and my body was ready for it.

The mild flu-like symptoms continue, so it has to be the flu shot effects. Poor sleeping conditions (awful bed mattress and pillow with loud boys refusing to sleep) are not helping recovery, but I'll be fine. Able to workout in the mornings while the kids sleep in. Not the intensity I need, but it is something. 5k will be a struggle tomorrow, but I'll be fine.

WebMD says worst case I could be experiencing Cervical Spondylosis or Hypothyroidism... probably not either. I couldn't find anything linked directly to the collarbone. Both are too severe at this point and would have shown up on tests from last winter, but if this keeps up for a couple months, then I'm going to get checked again. Most likely, today's issues are just symptoms from my flu shot on Thursday. My issues from Sept 7th at spar are likely unrelated to today. But I am tracking these things just in case.

155.8 lbs Kicks and combos after stretching this morning. I'm worried I have a nagging collarbone injury putting weight on my chest resulting in quick exasperation. For a few weeks, I have been working on my shoulders and arms to improve my guards and punches for spar, but each time it doesn't take much to make me feel like my chest was caving in. I might just need to work on my breathing in the drills, but the weakness I have felt in my chest recently along with the breathing issue worried me. I don't want to look it up, because I don't want to freak myself out, but I also don't want to do something stupid to myself. I'm going to have to squeeze workouts and exercises in at lunch time all week. 5k on Thursday should be fun. I think I'm good to go for it. Renn Faire was a lot of fun. Got to play with a few swords and measure my preferred weight for a one-handed rapier. One of these days I might buy one. We have a few at home, but they are decorations. I should take out the Highlander log sword and practice with though. Great upper body workout.

155.0 lbs Stretch and sprints. My hamstrings didn't enjoy it, but I kept up the speed. I need to do that more for my lungs and heart rate. I'll be chaperoning nights and mornings at adventure camp with my daughter all next week, which won't leave room for workouts. I'll miss an entire week of karate as well.

Hot tub, stretch, and recumbent bike this morning. I woke up a little sore, so I took it easy. Tomorrow is an active day. I plan to run in the morning, then I have two karate classes. I skipped the scale at the gym, because they had to evacuate for a potential electrical fire. After biking, I went to get a drink from the water fountain and smelt burning or melting plastic. I reported it to the front desk who checked and decided to call the fire department. I jumped in the shower and got out as quick as I could anticipating the evacuation. I was dressed just in time. Toastmasters last night, I crushed two projects. I've finished all Level 1 projects in my 6 Paths and completed three Level 2 awards as well. One more Level 2, and maybe three Level 3 awards by end of June? Maybe! It is only 3 speeches per level, which means three levels is similar to one traditional communication award.

155.6 lbs Kata practice last night and this morning. I wanted to drill in the details I got from the instructors last night. I also worked on my combos. The Jump Turn Back is giving me issues. My stiff hips won't allow me to go fast and whip the leg. My side, hook, and axe kicks are ok if I give a pause to get the jump, but the in-to-out crescent kick is sloppy. I need to keep stretching and working to loosen it up. Tonight is Toastmasters. I should be doing a 20 min discussion project on recruitment. Should be fun.

We did a bunch of bouncing drills for quick feet, which I was pushing hard on, because my footwork is uncoordinated (I'm a terrible dancer). My matches were the first after that, so hardly any rest. Spar is always with gear (head, hands, feet, mouth, and cup).

Starting out at 157.0 lbs. Worked on karate this morning bouncing with quick feet. On Saturday morning, I had a setback on my lower back. Spasms, inflexible, and painful. I loosened up by the evening and the next day I was ok, just sore. I didn't do anything Friday to hurt it, but Thursday night was spar. I iced my back on Friday as a precaution, but I wasn't in pain or tight. I guess this is being old. Some days you just wake up broken. Other days are just normal pain. And all days you just gotta keep on LIVIN. The week is booked. Karate tonight, Toastmasters tomorrow, School Meeting Wednesday, karate Thursday, Bingo Friday, Renn Faire Saturday, Sunday Church and Football day.

Ran a 5k for September 11th. A somber ceremony, but a nice event. They had a team challenge of lugging firefighter gear the whole 5k. I'm not in shape for that. I might have been in June if not for the tendonitis (which is finally better, I think!). Anyway, I did alright with the 5k with a consistent 10 minute/mile pace until the 3rd mile. I took a few walks, first triggered by cheering on the challenge teams heading towards the first mile mark, then I just needed a couple breathers. I finished the last quarter mile with a strong kick, ramping up to a sprint through the finish. I felt best about that. Another 5k (Pollution Prevention Week) in two weeks, where I should do better. Cardio between now and then will focus on getting faster feet and longer lungs for spar class. It'll translate to a good 5k.

Welcome back for another episode of The Exciting Adventures of JediNickD! It was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away that I joined this site and started my first challenge. World 1 was my first extended stay through 22 challenges. I took a hiatus from NF and came back with a new direction for my goals where I warped to World 2, which I defeated in a Boss Fight slaying some mighty big goals. In World 3, I continue to develop my fitness, getting my body in the best shape of my life, even with the Degenerative Disc Disease, Arthritis, Disc Fissures, and more. Through physical therapy exercises and karate, I have maintained my core and back muscles to ease the pressure off my spine, but in the end I defeated World 3 by transforming my life into a new form. With chiropractic care healing my spine, reaching the high ranks at karate, blazing through the new Toastmasters education program called Pathways, and working to complete Novice rank at IJRS, World 4 was something new everyday. I have moved over to the Monks to reach for more diversity in my workouts and culture as my focus has been more on my karate training in the recent months. As I actively take on more responsibility of coaching, mentoring, and teaching in all aspects of my life, I can see a different me forming with World 5 on the horizon. World 5 begins now. I just keep on L-I-V-I-N, fight the good fight lightin' it up, and level up my life!  Challenge Lesson: "It was too late." My Black Belt training started off fast and I was blazing with confidence in myself to earn that belt. But my confidence was too high and before I realized it, it was too late. I hit a wall on Saturday... actually a fist... and actually, it hit me. I was already out of sorts with two rigorous fights, which had me gasping hard, but the third fight and most jarring, that fist, had me shaken and a bit dazed. I thought I was ready for my Red stripe test. I woke up early, stretched my muscles, hydrated my body, and relaxed my mind. In class, I blasted through warm up and drills. When the matches were set to start, I had the quickest hand and loudest voice to get the first match (and second and third for the stripe test). I mentally checked my opponents techniques and knew what to expect from each fighter as I had favorable matches before with each. As I stood in front of the first, I planned my pacing to avoid getting winded. My plan was rock solid. We all know about a good plan, right? It is good right up to the first step of implementation, then it might as well be written on a diaper, because you'll have to change it with every shit storm. My first opponent came at me harder and faster than I expected, landing a few head shots, which was probably the start of my issues. I stayed offensive and kept a hard pace, but he slipped those shots in anyway. After that match I was a little disappointed in myself and I was more winded than planned. I told myself to relax and round 2 would be easier. It wasn't. I was out of steam already. What happened? I don't know. Third match, I decided to shift gears at the start and tried a different opening kick, because my opponent knew from my regular stance that the side kick was coming. I did a jump up hook kick, lost my balance coming down and crashed on the floor. I sprained a finger and I'm sure I looked like an idiot. We got set again and I set off on the offensive, sticking to my plan for this opponent, but with the fuel all spent, I labored to keep up and he got some distance. The match turned for just a second and he landed that fist on my eye socket. I saw stars and tried to collect myself. I kept my distance avoiding his kicks as best I could, but eventually I lost my balance and they called the match. I was concussed and could not finish. My wife and two of the instructors said I looked "off" in the first fight, then saw a dramatic fade in my energy during the second fight. I was certainly concussed, but I was also pale and winded. Hydration and breathing brought my color back, but I worry that my almost 39 year-old body was not as ready as I was mentally. Was it my lungs, my muscles, my blood flow, my rattled brain? All of the above? The Black Belt creed is about Commitment and how things go your way when you are most committed. I was committed and I had worked hard to be ready. My spirit was as strong and youthful as ever. It is a tough lesson to learn, that an aging body does not always keep up with a young spirit. There will be more days like this. I learned to be ok with it, but more importantly, I need to learn how to handle it as it is happening, so I don't over extend myself and end up vulnerable to a smash in the face. I need to work on knowing where to be one step ahead so I can avoid being too late. My Main Quest and Mission: My mission is to be the best Jedi I can be. My main quest is always to enhance my overall health, fitness, and knowledge to be prepared for whatever challenges life could throw at me. As a Jedi, I need to be able to help people, whether that is a life threatening situation or just a charitable one. There is no boss level in Jedi training, there is only tomorrow. I'm using Habitica and Excel to track a ton of things, so I may make some changes below to better integrate them, but I'm sticking to the basics drawn to 5 Weeks. World 5 Level 1 Challenge: FITNESS: Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 500 min total, 100 weekly. Track time and distance. STA +1 Walking: Fortify the Spine - 1250 min total, 250 weekly. CON +1 Exercise: HIIT Lifting and Bodyweight - 300 min total, 60 weekly. STR +1, STA +1 Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - 700 min total, 140 weekly. DEX +1 Karate: Training and Practice - 1500 min total, 300 weekly. Track progress towards belt. Track improvement on all material. DEX +1, STR +1 DIET: Lean Body - Track weight. Complete measurements before or during Week 1 and again during or after Week 5. Looking to maintain 150 lbs or less while shrinking my waist and building muscle. CON +1 Keep on cutting out the crap - No CheezIts, limit snacking at work, cut down portion sizes. Drink more water. CON +1 LIFE: Get Stuff Done - Complete 110 Hours of various Chores and Maintenance, with at least 22 hours each week. Chores and Maintenance are the following areas (goal hours for challenge) Dishes (16), Laundry (10), Cooking/Cleaning/Dusting/Vacuuming/Trash/Other (32), Yard Work (2), Animal Care (24), Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance (10) WIS +1, CHA +1 Epic Quest - Complete something EPIC! I want to be able to look back at my four week challenge and say, "that was the challenge I did X". My challenges tend to be a lot of the same old. I've given myself plenty to improve in small steps, but I also want to see big strides in the things I've been working on. What box can I check? What have I been procrastinating? What am I focusing on? WIS +2, CHA +2 INCENTIVES! Working hard for CASH! ($218.85 carried over) REWARD: For each week in which I complete 25 or more hours of Chores and Maintenance, I will put aside $10 to spend how I see fit. CONSEQUENCE: For any week where I complete less than 22 hours, I will give up $10 of saved cash. REWARD: $5 for each Personal Project hour CONSEQUENCE : Lose $10 for each week without at least one hour for Personal Projects. REWARD: $5 for each HIIT workout. For a healthy heart among other things, HIIT is recommended by my health coach. I don't like them, but they are a necessary evil. CONSEQUENCE: Lose $5 for each week without a HIIT workout. REWARD: $5 for each day with weight below 154.0 lbs. CONSEQUENCE: Lose $5 each day with weight above 156.0 lbs. REWARD: $5 for 1 Sprint/Run/Bike workout (minimum 10 reps/30 min/10 min), $10 for second, $20 for third and up. CONSEQUENCE: Lose $10 for each week without one of these workouts. BONUSES: $1 for each hour working on Jedi Training (mentoring, reading/writing, charity, meditation, IJRS lessons). $2 for each hour working on Toastmasters including meetings. $2 for each Home Renovation or Auto Maintenance hour PENALTIES: Lose $10 for eating pizza, candy, popcorn, CheezIts, pretzels, potato chips. Lose $10 for more than 6 Dr Peppers a week or more than 6 meals with cheese a week.

New update! Karate and Toastmasters are still booming. Did Mt. Whitney again (2000 ft elevation hike and about 9 miles total in under 4.5 hours). Definitely considering the summit next time (6000 ft elevation and 10 hours each way). Mt. Mitchell was a breeze two weeks later, but we didn't hike up, just hiked about 2 miles around the trails near the summit. The view was pretty awesome as the clouds moved around the mountain tops. I'm turning 39 in November. 10 years ago I could not have pictured how I have changed mentally and physically, but I had an idea of how I planned on changing with raising my kids, growing my marriage, progressing my career and education, and accomplishing or experiencing amazing things. Through it all, I've been setting up this second life for beyond 40 partly for myself, but mostly for my family with my kids growing into young adults, and the new and exciting adventures my wife and I will take them on, lessons we will teach them, and experiences they will have which will shape their young lives. By my 50th birthday, hopefully, they will both be in college or a career, out on their own, making their own way. That's 11 years away, which sounds like a lifetime, but right now, reflecting back, it feels like it is coming all too fast. I have done so much to grow myself, but that growth has an incredible impact to those around me. If you want to change the world, then start with the one in the mirror. When you share your experience and growth, then your change will influence others to change at an exponential rate. It is absolutely amazing.

Karate class last night was adult spar. A probation black belt high school kid was there to stripe for spar which is three consecutive 60 second matches. We had 5 students in the class, but two were nursing injuries and one was a white belt with no gear. There was also no spare black belts lurking around to jump in a match. They gave me all three rounds against him. It was a blessing for him, since he wouldn't be getting fresh fighters. My cardio is tuned up, so I lasted. My turn backs were lazy at the end, but I was able to give him hell and vary my technique to give him what might seem like 3 different fighters. He's a tall kid at 6' 2 with a dominate reach over me. He has gotten much faster since our last clash. The first minute I was pushing him around and out of the ring like last time. The instructors coached him up to stay in the middle and own the ring. In the second minute, he had me fighting for ground. If I gave him space, then his long legs were trouble. I was quick enough to get out of the way or block (took a few uncomfortable blows on the elbow and forearm), but I was retreating too much. I need to work on my side steps for countering long leg kicks (in the past, we drilled these "one-step" combinations with the opponent partner backing away, which is just terrible habit building). I found my best technique was to be shoulder to shoulder in his space firing punches, but one time he caught me with a snap kick in the solar plexus which I am still feeling this morning. After the fight, I felt like I would have a foot shaped bruise on my abdomen, but after the kick, he backed away, and I took a brief second to recover and then jumped right back in. I was lucky to not get the wind knocked out. I tend to be tense and rigid when sparring, which means my abdomen muscles were hard and protected me well. If I am going to be stiff as a rock, then I will be an unmovable one as well. A better technique would be to be watching for that snap kick, so that I can slide and counter. The third minute, I tried to flow more and be looser with more turning techniques, but he stayed aggressive while I got sloppy and tired. The tornado kicks were solid and effective, but my spinning back fists were useless. The important part of last night was that he got to work and earned his red stripe. If I wasn't there, then he wouldn't have got the opportunity. It was a lot of fun, too. One of the other adults commented on what she learned, basically picking up on what we were doing to counter. At 5' 10 200 lbs herself, she called me, at 5' 6 150 lbs, intimidating, which I found hilarious. She is a tough-looking woman, but still learning how to use her techniques and body effectively. She is couple ranks behind me, so I know where she is coming from. I'm happy to hear that another student thinks I'm a scary opponent, but I have not found that I dominate any fighter the instructors pit me against just stepping into the ring. I do force my opponent to bring their A game, but that is because I am naturally competitive and aggressive, but I do not feel like I intimidate or strike fear into my opponents. My belt rank and loudness are the only assets I really have that are intimidating. I guess I'll see how that changes when I get to black and my opponent pool changes.

I will be taking a break from challenges until September. From Epic Nerd Camp at the end of June through my work travel and vacation wrapping up at the end of August, I had planned to take a break. It would be difficult to set and manage goals through all that. I will stick to the habits and gauge my personal growth without the daily tracking. I have plenty of projects to work on as well (IJRS Exam and Essay, Toastmasters speeches, Extra Life planning, Karate practice and test preparation for Probationary Black Belt, Contract Proposal writing, hiking and sight seeing), which I'm calling a Boss Battle. I'll probably post some updates here, but if I don't then I'll see you in September for World 5!

World 4 Level 11 Challenge GRADES: FITNESS: Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 400 min total, 100 weekly. Track time and distance. STA +1 A = 480 min, weekly met. Some good runs, biking when my back was sore, and a ton of racquetball. Cardio-wise, I am in great shape and feel like I could run 5 miles any day, any time. Walking: Fortify the Spine - 1000 min total, 250 weekly. CON +1 A = 1440 min, weekly met. If I get a pedometer, then I can convert this to steps. Exercise: HIIT Lifting and Bodyweight - 240 min total, 60 weekly. STR +1, STA +1 A = 240 min, weekly met. I hit my goal each week and the HIIT workouts were great, but I kind of mailed in the effort as I didn't go above the bar like I wanted to. I have two formalized 30 day workout routines from trainers which utilize HIIT. I want to get through both at some point before next summer. After reading through them, I have pulled out good stuff, but I see the impact would be greater if I stuck to their guide. Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - 560 min total, 140 weekly. DEX +1 A = 580 min, weekly met. Easy peasy. Karate: Training and Practice - 1500 min total, 375 weekly. Track progress towards belt. Track improvement on all material. DEX +1, STR +1 A = 1390 min, weekly missed twice. I missed classes, but didn't make up the time as I intended. I made my class counts and striped my belt before my work travel. I'm ready for my advanced test in August (just need fine tuning). I'm also on pace for my side kick count to go over 5600 before the test. Looking at last challenge, I beat those marks, so I probably set the goals this round too high for what was reasonable between closures for Memorial Day and High School Graduation, plus my week long absence for VBS volunteering. 110 minutes short is ~2.25 classes. I think I rocked it. DIET: Weight Control - Track weight. Complete measurements before or during Week 1 and again during or after Week 4. Watch portions and make healthy choices for 24 of 28 days. Track lunch portions for 24 of 28 days. Track "fasting" after dinner nightly for 24 of 28 days. CON +1 A = Weight fluctuates, but I am lean as ever. My tight pants are loose. I had to make a new hole in my belt. My six pack is getting more defined. Keep on cutting out the crap - No CheezIts, limit snacking at work, 5 Dr Peppers a week, and limit cheese to 5 meals a week. CON +1 A = Cheese and Dr Pepper goals were just made. I need to do a better job having healthy snacks to limit my reliance on the unhealthy options. No Cheezits or Popcorn! LIFE: Get Stuff Done - Complete 88 Hours of various Chores and Maintenance, with at least 22 hours each week. Chores and Maintenance are the following areas (goal hours for challenge) Dishes (16), Laundry (10), Cooking/Cleaning/Dusting/Vacuuming/Trash/Other (32), Yard Work (2), Animal Care (24), Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance (10) WIS +1, CHA +1 A = 92.3 hours, weekly met, except for VBS week (3.2 hours short), but I put 23 hours into the church that week. Epic Quest - Complete something EPIC! I want to be able to look back at my four week challenge and say, "that was the challenge I did X". My challenges tend to be a lot of the same old. I've given myself plenty to improve in small steps, but I also want to see big strides in the things I've been working on. What box can I check? What have I been procrastinating? What am I focusing on? WIS +2, CHA +2 A = Week 1 we went to Sunfest and witnessed the dojo's demo team show off some amazing skills. Week 2 we did a ropes and zip-line course. Week 3 I ran a public speaking training event for a group of 30 people at work. Week 4 was VBS all week teaching science and running A/V equipment. INCENTIVES! Working hard for CASH! ($186.35 carried over) $218.85 carry over. The weight consequence killed my savings, but I wasn't watching my portions tight enough when my weight was over the mark to come back down, so I'll take the penalty. I felt my body needed the calories to build muscle. I'll probably loosen that incentive up next round. REWARD: For each week in which I complete 25 or more hours of Chores and Maintenance, I will put aside $10 to spend how I see fit. CONSEQUENCE: For any week where I complete less than 22 hours, I will give up $10 of saved cash. REWARD: $5 for each Personal Project hour CONSEQUENCE : Lose $10 for each week without at least one hour for Personal Projects. REWARD: $5 for each HIIT workout. For a healthy heart among other things, HIIT is recommended by my health coach. I don't like them, but they are a necessary evil. CONSEQUENCE: Lose $5 for each week without a HIIT workout. REWARD: $10 for each day with weight below 150.0 lbs. CONSEQUENCE: Lose $10 each day with weight above 151.0 lbs. REWARD: $5 for 1 Sprint/Run/Bike workout (minimum 10 reps/30 min/10 min), $10 for second, $20 for third and up. CONSEQUENCE: Lose $10 for each week without one of these workouts. BONUSES: $1 for each hour working on Jedi Training (mentoring, reading/writing, charity, meditation, IJRS lessons). $2 for each hour working on Toastmasters including meetings. $2 for each Home Renovation or Auto Maintenance hour PENALTIES: Lose $10 for eating pizza, candy, popcorn, CheezIts, pretzels, potato chips. Lose $10 for more than 6 Dr Peppers a week or more than 6 meals with cheese a week.

Wow! The challenge wrapped up quite a while ago, but I'm just now returning to normalcy after an amazing vacation. Epic Nerd Camp was a blast! The Space Quest LARP (like a Star Trek bridge simulation and away mission) was the highlight as I enjoyed playing 5 different characters. On the first day of camp, all campers doing the LARP had to attend the Spacefleet academy to learn the Artemis video game controls for their position on the starship and learn the laser tag app for the away missions. I trained all the ENC Spacefleet Cadets in the N.E.R.F. Laser Ops Division Alphapoint sidearm blaster playing the character SGT Hurtz, 401st Division, Small Firearms Specialist. I also worked security as SGT Hurtz for the Captains Meetings with ENC Spacefleet commanders. Next year, I believe the character should be a first class sergeant ;-). We ended up ditching the app due to spotty cellular service. The laser tag guns' free play mode turned out a lot better for the LARP keeping people in character. Next year, the training for the weapons will be a lot simpler; therefore, I'll train the cadets on tactics, as well. In the morning of the third day of camp, I was another NPC as a Royal Guard for an alien world queen. I didn't bother with a name or title since I would not do much talking. I patrolled the area around the queen in garden in front of her home, intercepted the human away team and escorted them to the queen, secured the area during the meeting, and defended the humans and queen during an hostile alien ambush dying valiantly. One of the humans dropped a datapad in the firefight, which the queen's guard and sent a Special Envoy to the Queen, LT Sharlk (me), to the human starship to return the lost datapad and deliver a message that the hostile aliens were repelled and the planet was safe. In afternoon, I joined my crew for our mission on the ENC Starship Windrunner. I had purchased yellow and red shirts expecting to run Engineering, Comms, or Captain. After discussions online before camp, we assigned roles based on primary preference, which left Weapons and Engineering for me and our last crewmen who signed up late. He choose Engineering, which meant I had the wrong color shirt... boo. Since, our captain planned to come in a blue Star Trek cosplay uniform, I decided I could wear the Yellow shirt as a recently demoted captain with her the recently promoted, explaining the opposite colored uniforms. It made for fun banter between me as Weapons Officer Shenanigans and the captain and crew. We started rough losing two Deep Spacestations in the first two minutes of the mission as everyone got comfortable with their position and our captain developed a plan, then we worked expertly together to stomp out the hostile ships with excellent efficiency. We started out surrounded with the spacestations far away and under siege, which didn't give them much of a chance, but dropping us into a tough situation at the start was the point forcing us to adapt quickly. It was quite amazing how it came together. Our away mission brought us to the alien queen to retrieve an artifact dropped by the hostile alien invaders. The artifact was considered to be part of a powerful weapon or energy source and the alien queen wished it to be studied by the more technologically advanced human scientists, but we had to prove our worth first by passing a series of tests administered by an alien council. The first test was recreating a legendary battle between rogue elementals and heroic adventurers with miniatures and specific movement similar to chess pieces. The goal was to checkmate the elemental leader in exactly 4 strikes to accurately recreate the battle. Originally, we misunderstood and found checkmate in only 3 moves two different ways, before our time had run out. The alien council gave us a clarification and a few more minutes, then we solved it easily. Next was two puzzles with metal pieced interlocked. We had to solve how they come apart and then go back together. I recognized one of them and volunteered to work on it with two others. We solved them both quickly. The last one was a riddle of which council member held a gem out of two, one who always lies and one who always tells the truth. We all recognized the riddle from The Labyrinth, but didn't fully remember the solution and reasoning. We role played it with one crewmen asking the question "If I asked him if he had the gem what would he say" and walking through the responses in both cases to logically understand it. The true answer is always the opposite of the given answer no matter which is asked, liar or truth teller. The council was impressed with our team's ability to work together to problem solve. With each test, we huddled up to discuss our individual strengths for solving the particular issue, brain stormed solutions together, and worked through proofs to ensure we had the correct answers before moving forward. Our work as a team proved our worth to receive the artifact. We returned to the ship victorious in the away mission, but still had plenty of work to clear more hostiles and alien space monsters from the sector before embarking home. The fourth day of camp and final day of activities climaxed perfectly for Space Quest. A group of hostile aliens had setup an outpost on an alien planet after laying waste to the civilization. I played one of the hostile aliens as our general debriefed us. He riffed hard developing character and story for the aliens. One of the story creators was there to help document it for later, but the improvisation was priceless and hilarious. Just as we finished our prayer circle, the humans ambushed us and a laser battle broke out. It was a phenomenal fight with our side hurling insults and just overwhelming them with numbers, but eventually they worked out a strategy to take out our general and we had to flee. It was an epic event with plenty of laughs over the improvised insults and riffs on the characters. Epic Nerd Camp lives up to the name. Next year plans are already underway at the house.

It's been a hectic final challenge week with not a lot of room for my workouts, karate classes, or even chores. I get home at 4pm, eat dinner with the family, and squeeze in as much as I can before we leave the house between 5 and 5:30. VBS at the church for 4 hours, setting audio/visual equipment and running the music and videos plus my wife and I running the Imagination Station. Getting home around 9pm to work on proposal writing for my contract. Wednesday night I got 4 hours of sleep, last night only 5 hours. On Saturday, I might do 3 classes to catch up, which means I'll go to bed early tonight... after the last night of VBS, of course. This week, I've had a bit of nasal congestion and throat irritation early in the morning, which I am combatting with cough drops. They are excellent at opening up my nasal passages to help drain everything out. In relation, I regularly have difficulty breathing deep through my nose (it's little, but I also have very active mucus glands). I just can't pull the same volume as I can through my mouth. With Ko Ryu speed and power, breathing is critical for finishing the kata without wearing myself out. I've been focusing on attempting to breathe more deeper more consistently through my nose, but I can manage it better with the cough drops. They have menthol and eucalyptus oil. I might take a few to class tomorrow to see if I can enhance my breathing skills.