See you Space Cowboy: Ruthix joins the Bebop

[RuthixCube]

Howdy, guys! I’m back for challenge #2 of my respawn! Last challenge went all right, but needed some tweaking for the second round. Goals are staying roughly the same, or within the same vein, and I’ve made things a bit more interesting. Not only do I have an actual theme this time around, but I’ve also done some gamifying!  

 

This challenge is wholly inspired by Cowboy Bebop, which is one of my all time favourite animes (right along side Ghost in the Shell). This show came about in the late 90’s (early 2000’s for the US), and was quite progressive for it’s time. I used to stay up until ridiculous hours just to watch it in my early high school years. As I never got around to watching every episode back then, the BF and I have been going through the series over the last week. I’ve grown a new appreciation for it, and it saddens me that I haven’t found anything modern that even comes close to being on par as it (if anyone knows of any, let me know!!). Well, without much ado, lets get this thing started!

 

 

Cowboy Bebop Intro
 

[RuthixCube]

Goals

 

Session 1: Heavy Metal Queen

Get 3 sessions in each of cardio and strength training. This could be 3 longer workouts a week that includes both, 6 shorter workouts (3 of each), or a mix thereof.

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

Session 2: Toys in the Attic

Last challenge I explained how bad my Red Bull habit had become and set myself a goal of 3/wk. This time around, I’m cutting it down to 1 per week. If I feel the need to have another, I will have iced coffee instead. This way I’m at least making a step in the right direction without completely giving up that caffeine fix. I suspect I will be able to better cut out Red Bull this way than I would by going cold turkey. I think that’s what went wrong last time on the weeks I went over - I didn’t have a backup plan.

 

 

           

 

 

 

 

Session 3: Honky Tonk Woman

I’m keeping to a $40 budget per paycheck (= $20/wk) to spend on whatever I want (red bull and coffee included). Anything that would put me over my budget will have to be saved for and purchased at another time. I’ve been better about keeping on top of my budget since I started this last challenge, and hope to continue to do so.

             

 

 

 

Session 4: Jamming with Edward

This is the goal I screwed myself over with last time around. I’ve been wanting to learn how to do digital art for longer than I’d care to admit, and I thought I was ready to give it a shot. Of course, as soon as I started trying, I felt like I was in over my head and had the worst artist’s block. Honestly, thats a big reason as to why I haven’t done any drawing in the first place. Due to all that right there, I’m adjusting this skill building goal a bit.

First off, I’ve purchased a figure drawing book for beginners. The human body has always been an issue for me, and something I find I consistently want to draw. This should give me the tools I need to practice and get better at it. Second, I have found numerous prompts that I can look to for inspiration. Lastly, I am making this a daily goal of no less than 10 minutes. While sitting and doing my thing for a longer period a few times a week is great, it tends to burn me out. By making this only 10min a day, it’s less stressful and becomes something I can do in between other tasks. I can work on a bigger project over multiple days, or I can do something different every time. Up to how I feel that day. Ultimately, I do want to complete a larger project, but I’m not giving myself a deadline.

 

 

             

 

 

 

 

Session 5: Boogie Woogie Feng Shui

Ah yes, self care is back again. I’m not giving myself a time limit, though. Self care should be stress free, so I’ll take however long or short of a time span I need to get it done (within reason, of course).

 

            
 

 

 

 

Bonus Session: Cowboy Funk

Post updates to my thread at least twice per week. This has always been an issue for me, so maybe by making it part of my challenge I’ll actually do it.

 

 

           
 

 

 

 

[RuthixCube]

How it Works

 

**For those not in the know, Space Cowboy is slang for a Bounty Hunter in Cowboy Bebop. Spike, Faye, and Jet are all bounty hunters, while Ed is an elite hacker and Ein is a ‘data dog’ (he was scientifically enhanced to be ridiculously intelligent. Kind of like a living hard drive). **

 

The year is 2071 and I am a Space Cowboy. What do cowboys do best? That’s right, hunt bounties! Therefore, my goals have become bounties that I must hunt down and collect on. For each instance of each goal that I complete, I receive a reward in the form of Woolongs (the currency used in the show). At the end of this challenge, I will have the ability to use my Woolongs to ‘purchase’ a real life reward.

 

 

 

 

 

           

 

BOUNTY CHART

Fitness: 3,000₩ per full set, or 1,500₩ for cardio or strength only. Additional Woolongs may be collected for added sessions and half sessions.

 

Nutrition: 2,500₩ for the first Red Bull. For every additional Red Bull during the week, I lose 2,500₩. I do not gain nor lose Woolongs for coffee.

 

Finance: No rewards, but for every dollar over $40, I lose 500₩.

 

Skill Building: 1,500₩per daily session. I do not lose Woolongs for missing a day.

 

Self Care: 4,500₩ for 1 self care session per week. If additional self care is needed, I will not gain nor lose Woolongs.

Bonus: 1,000₩ per update post. Additional Woolongs may be collected if I post more than twice.

 

Real Life Rewards

Tier 1 - 114,000₩            Weekend getaway with the BF (local)

Tier 2 - 102,000₩            Date night at the Barcade

Tier 3 - 96,000₩             A treat from Etsy

 

 

 

 

 

                                             
 

 

[Cheetah]

I love love love the show!  You've got a great set of goals, I'm sure you'll kill it!  Following!

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

That is a great show. I haven't seen all the episodes either, some day I want to.

[Nymeria]

Cowboy Bebop!!!  It's my second favorite anime of all time (behind FMA).  Great job making a fun challenge!

[Wild Wolf]

Holy smokes your challenge set-up is amazing, Ruthie!! I read the first 3 posts and was just like, "Wow! She really pulled out the stops this challenge!" It makes me excited!!

 

Oh...and Cowboy Bepop is the shiz! I remember when it would come on Toonami on Cartoon Network and I would watch it every chance I got. I definitely wouldn't mind owning the seasons to watch them through start to finish because it was one of the better shows on, right with DBZ and Samurai Champloo...and Samurai Jack. They actually did another season of SJ last year, I believe. It looks grittier then before-might need to check that out.

 

 

Wolf

[starpuck]

There is too much here hat I cannot ignore, holy crap!

 

First off, hi!  I don't think we've met before!!      Secondly, ANIME, YESSSSS! <3 <3   Thirdly, Cowboy Bebop, omgyes.

 

Then, I see, that... our challenge goals pretty much mirror each other-   three and three.  Yup.  3 strong days, 3 move days.

Add in a finance/budgeting side (ditto here) and finally... the cap in the hat?

 

DIGITAL ART!

I started teaching myself how to art about 2 years ago.   Started just copying anime pics in pencil, ala fan art style.    Then I got a Wacom tablet for Christmas 2015, so starting Jan 2016 I started working with the tablet.  Wow!  What a curve it was at first.     But yes.  Do it, do it, do it!   Just put the time in, I promise, that even when you don't feel like you've made progress, you have!   And on those days where everything fails?   Well they happen.  But then you're gonna have a day where it rocks your socks and you think 'how did that come out of the same hand that drew that messed up, oversized nose on the crooked face two days ago?'

 

Long story short, I am totes on board for this!

 

[RuthixCube]

13 hours ago, Cheetah said:

I love love love the show!  You've got a great set of goals, I'm sure you'll kill it!  Following!

 

Ah, yay!! I'm so glad other people enjoy this show as much as I do! Thank you! I definitely plan to knock it out of the park.

 

11 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

That is a great show. I haven't seen all the episodes either, some day I want to.

Totally do it! Upon re-watching, there was so much I missed the first time around.

 

3 hours ago, Nymeria said:

Cowboy Bebop!!!  It's my second favorite anime of all time (behind FMA).  Great job making a fun challenge!

Yay!! I love FMA as well, definitely top 5 right there! Thanks, I figured it was worth a shot adding some fun in here

 

29 minutes ago, Wild Wolf said:

Holy smokes your challenge set-up is amazing, Ruthie!! I read the first 3 posts and was just like, "Wow! She really pulled out the stops this challenge!" It makes me excited!!

 

Oh...and Cowboy Bepop is the shiz! I remember when it would come on Toonami on Cartoon Network and I would watch it every chance I got. I definitely wouldn't mind owning the seasons to watch them through start to finish because it was one of the better shows on, right with DBZ and Samurai Champloo...and Samurai Jack. They actually did another season of SJ last year, I believe. It looks grittier then before-might need to check that out.

 

 

Wolf

Aahhhhh thank you!! I knew I had to do something to give it a little 'umph' and to help keeping up with this a bit more fun.

 

I used to do the same thing, when it was on Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. I'd like to own it myself one day, it's just that good of a show.  Oh man, Samurai Champloo! I loved that show too! Dude, have you seen Space dandy? It's basically a parody of Cowboy Bebop, and it's hilariously weird and goofy.

 

 

21 minutes ago, Starpuck said:

There is too much here hat I cannot ignore, holy crap!

 

First off, hi!  I don't think we've met before!!      Secondly, ANIME, YESSSSS! <3 <3   Thirdly, Cowboy Bebop, omgyes.

 

Then, I see, that... our challenge goals pretty much mirror each other-   three and three.  Yup.  3 strong days, 3 move days.

Add in a finance/budgeting side (ditto here) and finally... the cap in the hat?

 

DIGITAL ART!

I started teaching myself how to art about 2 years ago.   Started just copying anime pics in pencil, ala fan art style.    Then I got a Wacom tablet for Christmas 2015, so starting Jan 2016 I started working with the tablet.  Wow!  What a curve it was at first.     But yes.  Do it, do it, do it!   Just put the time in, I promise, that even when you don't feel like you've made progress, you have!   And on those days where everything fails?   Well they happen.  But then you're gonna have a day where it rocks your socks and you think 'how did that come out of the same hand that drew that messed up, oversized nose on the crooked face two days ago?'

 

Long story short, I am totes on board for this!

 

Ahhhh HI! I think I tried following along your challenge last round, and then of course I fell off because that's what I do...but HI!

 

No. Freaking. Way. Seriously? Well, I'm definitely going to be following along this round, gotta support each other for sure!

 

Seeing you say that makes me feel much better about it. I've been artsy since I was a kid, but really honed in on my drawing in high school and bits of college. I've kind of fallen off since then, but my dad gave me a tablet for Christmas last year and I want to learn how to use it. It's been super frustrating, but I'm not giving up on it. I hate how random art can be; one day everything your draw is trash, and the next day everything is fucking perfect. What program do you use on your tablet? I downloaded FireAlpaca after seeing a few Youtube vids on it (and because it's free). It's pretty straight forward, but the tablet is still hard to get used to. Probably doesn't help that I haven't done drawing of any kind in ages, so I'm super rusty and feel like I'm doing everything wrong.

[starpuck]

45 minutes ago, RuthixCube said:

Seeing you say that makes me feel much better about it. I've been artsy since I was a kid, but really honed in on my drawing in high school and bits of college. I've kind of fallen off since then, but my dad gave me a tablet for Christmas last year and I want to learn how to use it. It's been super frustrating, but I'm not giving up on it. I hate how random art can be; one day everything your draw is trash, and the next day everything is fucking perfect. What program do you use on your tablet? I downloaded FireAlpaca after seeing a few Youtube vids on it (and because it's free). It's pretty straight forward, but the tablet is still hard to get used to. Probably doesn't help that I haven't done drawing of any kind in ages, so I'm super rusty and feel like I'm doing everything wrong.

 

I went for entry level on everything, so I have the tiniest Wacom tablet and I use Manga Studio 5.0  (It was a gift, but I think it ran about $30 then.)    To be honest, since everything I've done is trial and error (I hate reading books and I get antsy on tutorials) I am utilizing about 6% of the program I bet! LOL.     It took me a long time to get used to drawing on a pad, while looking at the computer.    One thing I do is to always pencil sketch first, then import that onto one of the layers, and throw my ink layer over it!     I recently discovered the joys of inking in VECTOR, as opposed to raster, and am trying to mess with that more.     We can totally help each other learn this craziness!

 

 

[RuthixCube]

2 hours ago, Starpuck said:

 

I went for entry level on everything, so I have the tiniest Wacom tablet and I use Manga Studio 5.0  (It was a gift, but I think it ran about $30 then.)    To be honest, since everything I've done is trial and error (I hate reading books and I get antsy on tutorials) I am utilizing about 6% of the program I bet! LOL.     It took me a long time to get used to drawing on a pad, while looking at the computer.    One thing I do is to always pencil sketch first, then import that onto one of the layers, and throw my ink layer over it!     I recently discovered the joys of inking in VECTOR, as opposed to raster, and am trying to mess with that more.     We can totally help each other learn this craziness!

 

 

 

All right, not going to lie, a lot of that went over my head  lol

 

Ha, apparently Manga Studio has become something else, Clip Studio, and it's a little over $200 for a digital copy. Yikes, definitely cant afford that right now. I am seeing that I can get a hard copy of Manga Studio 5 for around $60, which isn't too bad. Might be a purchase for down the road.

So my tablet is different from yours. Mine is has a screen on it, and it mirrors my laptop screen (I'll see if I can get a photo of it later). That's at least one thing I have going for me. When you say pencil sketch, do you mean on actual paper or in the pencil brush? If you're using actual paper and pencil, how do you import the image? I typically sketch the basics of everything out first, so that I can make sure proportions and layout is good, and then go back in and start adding layers of detail. Inking in VECTOR? Raster? Ahhhh so many things I don't know.....Sorry for all the questions, I'm trying to learn but I cannot find one good source that puts everything together for me and it's frustrating *sigh*

[starpuck]

I didn't know about vector until like... 4 weeks ago!  Don't worry about the terms.  I picked them all up from listening/watching @BlackTezca (whom I miss, so I tag her in here, mwuhahaha.)       I pencil sketch with a good old #2, and then take a picture of it with my phone.  (I am SO technical, see.)    Then I share that image to my own email.   Download it to my PC.   Then, when I create a new canvas in MangaStudio, I select import picture, and poof, it pops it onto its own layer.  Then I can adjust the size of that, and lower the density so its easier to work over it.  Then I create a new layer, and use the original as my guideline to sketch the ink version into existence.    

 

And yes, I knooooow the struggle about one good source that just... freaking walks you through this stuff step by step.     Um, there's a guy on youtube, called Jetty Jet.  He works with several programs, but I found I could pick up tips from him without being too overloaded.  I also have been discovering that many programs offer the same way of doing things, just laid out differently.     You'll get there!  Just take little bits at a time, and go for more when you're ready.  (PS, I should really be seeking out my next bit of software progress, but I too am intimidated by it.)

 

Also - that tablet sounds droooool worthy!

 

Also also, I will stop hijacking thread!

 

[RuthixCube]

15 minutes ago, Starpuck said:

I didn't know about vector until like... 4 weeks ago!  Don't worry about the terms.  I picked them all up from listening/watching @BlackTezca (whom I miss, so I tag her in here, mwuhahaha.)       I pencil sketch with a good old #2, and then take a picture of it with my phone.  (I am SO technical, see.)    Then I share that image to my own email.   Download it to my PC.   Then, when I create a new canvas in MangaStudio, I select import picture, and poof, it pops it onto its own layer.  Then I can adjust the size of that, and lower the density so its easier to work over it.  Then I create a new layer, and use the original as my guideline to sketch the ink version into existence.    

 

And yes, I knooooow the struggle about one good source that just... freaking walks you through this stuff step by step.     Um, there's a guy on youtube, called Jetty Jet.  He works with several programs, but I found I could pick up tips from him without being too overloaded.  I also have been discovering that many programs offer the same way of doing things, just laid out differently.     You'll get there!  Just take little bits at a time, and go for more when you're ready.  (PS, I should really be seeking out my next bit of software progress, but I too am intimidated by it.)

 

Okay, thank you, that helped immensely! I think that's something I can do, too. Sketching in good ole graphite first, and then importing. I was trying to do all that with the layers, except by sketching in the program as well. That's where I was getting frustrated. I just cant get that shit right on the tablet, at least not yet! I do a lot that way too (snapping a pic, and then sending it through email), so that's good to know I can do that.

 

Hmm, I'll have to check his channel out. I'd like to see what other programs are out there, though I don't have any real problem with FireAlpaca. I'd like to buy something at some point, it's just knowing what. (software progress? like what?)

[RuthixCube]

GUYS - my drawing book came in!! I've taken a quick look through it, and I think it will be a great source to have in addition to the techniques I already know and use.

 

 

Also, I never mentioned it, but this is a 4 week challenge for me, but will likely continue into the following zero week and then updated again for the next challenge. I am not tracking this week, but following as closely as I can. I'm going to be hitting the gym today (cardio & strength), and getting some sketching/drawing done.

 

 

ALSO, I picked up a PS4 slim the other day! @Wild Wolf you know what that means!!

[starpuck]

Omg, omg, Chris Hart is great!  And dur, I just realized, I could have given you more sources!

 

Dunno if you are on Facebook (and I think it's a closed group) but this guy puts out stuff called References for Artists.   He just draws poses!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/641652205964839/

 

I follow him, and once he asked about sending in examples of his poses in our arts, and the first 17 people to share got his PDF books for free!

I also got a few of them for Christmas in hard copy.  

 

PS4  Slim huh?    And here I thought we just became best friends.   (XBONE girl myself.)

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Don't know if you've ever seen this before, but it fits here.

 

[Xena]

I need to re-watch Cowboy Bebop. I did watch it several years ago, but the whole style was so foreign to me that I don't think I really appreciated it properly. I liked it, but I felt like I was kind of missing something. I'd like to read about it a little bit and maybe watch it again.

[RuthixCube]

16 hours ago, Starpuck said:

Omg, omg, Chris Hart is great!  And dur, I just realized, I could have given you more sources!

 

Dunno if you are on Facebook (and I think it's a closed group) but this guy puts out stuff called References for Artists.   He just draws poses!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/641652205964839/

 

I follow him, and once he asked about sending in examples of his poses in our arts, and the first 17 people to share got his PDF books for free!

I also got a few of them for Christmas in hard copy.  

 

PS4  Slim huh?    And here I thought we just became best friends.   (XBONE girl myself.)

Haha no worries!

 

I am on facebook, and I requested to join the group  That's really cool that he does stuff like that! I'll have to look more into him and his stuff. Thanks!!

 

I'm an Xbox girl at heart - I've played video games for most of my life, but Halo 2 is what really turned me into a gamer. I got into Playstation a few years ago when Destiny came out, and at the time I wasn't impressed with the XBone. Long story short, I now have both systems  

 

14 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Don't know if you've ever seen this before, but it fits here.

 

I haven't seen that, but I like it! Thanks, Tank!

 

13 hours ago, Xena said:

I need to re-watch Cowboy Bebop. I did watch it several years ago, but the whole style was so foreign to me that I don't think I really appreciated it properly. I liked it, but I felt like I was kind of missing something. I'd like to read about it a little bit and maybe watch it again.

I can see why that may have been. They don't give you much to start with, but you get more and more information and clues as the show goes on. I missed stuff the first time around that I didn't notice until we started watching it this time. That's what I like about it, though.

[RuthixCube]

Week 1,Day 2

[ 1 1, 0 0 0 / 1 1 4, 0 0 0 ₩]

 

Session 1: Heavy Metal Queen

[1, 5 0 0 ₩]

Initially I was going to skip a gym day yesterday, because shark week has me feeling like actual shit. BUUUUUT I got up off my ass after an hour or so of relaxing after work and got it done. If anything, it actually helped a little bit, which was nice. I wanted to use the treadmill, but both were taken up by two women - while their two small children ran around the tiny space doing as they pleased -_-. Now, I have no problem with people bringing their kids to the gym with them, but this is a one room fitness center in an apartment complex. No more than the size of a small studio, if that. 2 treadmills, a bike, 2 ellipticals, an ab machine, and one of those standing weight machines with three stations is all that fits in the space. This was just a little out of hand, is all. The kids didn’t have anything to keep them entertained, and the moms weren’t paying attention to what they were doing at all. Anyway~ I did a 25min HIIT style elliptical workout that got me pretty sweaty. I’ll get strength in today, as well as a yoga session for the mini challenge.

 

Session 2: Toys in the Attic

[2, 5 0 0 ₩]

Red bull was had yesterday, and today I have coffee. No more red bull until after Sunday for me.

 

Session 3: Honky Tonk Woman

[ 0 ₩]

This week is going to be a little weird. The reason behind this is that I get paid every other week, and my last paycheck was on the 4th. That means that I'm working with the remainder of the $40 that I have from the 4th. During the next zero week, I will be working off the remainder from week 4 of this challenge.

Now that that has been clarified, I have all of, like, $5 remaining until I get paid on Friday. So long as I don’t go over that, I’m golden for the week and won’t lose any Woolongs.

 

Session 4: Jamming with Edward

[1, 5 0 0 ₩]

No sketching was had on Sunday or Monday. I’ve been dealing with a bad wave of depression since Friday, with Saturday and Sunday being the worst days. Total breakdowns were had, cuddling was done, and I’m feeling a bit better as the week goes on. I DID get some sketching in today at lunch time, so I’m collecting on that.

 

Session 5: Boogie Woogie Feng Shui

[4, 5 0 0 ₩]

Self care was needed, and had, on Sunday. I just needed to get out of the house, as I have been quite a homebody the last few weeks. I had to get out for a bit. So, the BF and I hopped in my little boost beast and went for an aimless cruise through our and the surrounding towns. We were out for a good hour to an hour and a half. I felt much better by the end of it, even if that feeling was of numbness instead of unyielding and suffocating anxiety/depression.

 

Bonus Session: Cowboy Funk

[1, 0 0 0 ₩]

Oh hey, here’s update 1!

In case I didn't mention it - my challenge is going to be a day shorter than the rest as I started a day late (8/13), but I will be ending on 9/8 with everyone else (well, as those who are sticking to the posted dates). Normally, I would extend my challenge by a day, but my mom is actually getting remarried on the 9th! As that is more important to me than this challenge (no offense, guys I love you all to pieces), I have no problem sacrificing a day.

[starpuck]

Nice looking update.

 

Looks like you are focusing on the self care, which is great - because it helps build you back up for picking up and moving forward with the other things.  Good plan there! 

 

It's so hard to draw when the mehs are there.   I know that feeling, but you'll get around to it once the mood reignites.  Sometimes I find it better to not force it when the mood isn't there.  I don't want it to be a thing I start to resent.    Now, if it's just laziness or wanting to play my video games instead?   Then I will force the arts first.

[Xena]

On 8/15/2017 at 2:26 PM, RuthixCube said:

No sketching was had on Sunday or Monday. I’ve been dealing with a bad wave of depression since Friday, with Saturday and Sunday being the worst days. Total breakdowns were had, cuddling was done, and I’m feeling a bit better as the week goes on. I DID get some sketching in today at lunch time, so I’m collecting on that.

 

Hope you are feeling a little better now...keep checking in :-)

[RuthixCube]

On ‎8‎/‎15‎/‎2017 at 4:15 PM, Starpuck said:

Nice looking update.

 

Looks like you are focusing on the self care, which is great - because it helps build you back up for picking up and moving forward with the other things.  Good plan there! 

 

It's so hard to draw when the mehs are there.   I know that feeling, but you'll get around to it once the mood reignites.  Sometimes I find it better to not force it when the mood isn't there.  I don't want it to be a thing I start to resent.    Now, if it's just laziness or wanting to play my video games instead?   Then I will force the arts first.

 

Thanks!

I definitely don't want to force my drawing at all. The last thing I want is for it to feel like a chore.

 

On ‎8‎/‎16‎/‎2017 at 9:35 PM, Xena said:

Hope you are feeling a little better now...keep checking in :-)

 

Thanks, Xena, I really appreciate it  

[RuthixCube]

Week 1,Day 6

[ 1 5, 0 0 0 / 1 1 4, 0 0 0 ₩]

 

Session 1: Heavy Metal Queen

[3, 0 0 0 ₩]

I did some supersets on Tuesday, DOMS were had the following two days. I picked myself up a 20lb kettlebell on Wednesday, as I think it will be easier to use for things like goblet squats instead of my plated dumbbells (plus, now I can do ALL THE SWINGS). They’re just so awkward to use for certain exercises :/ I took a rest day on Wednesday and went to game night with my friends instead. Thursday, I did whole lot of nothing. Today, I’m hoping to get in a cardio and strength set, but we’ll see how things go. I’m going to get at least one done.

 

Session 2: Toys in the Attic

[2, 5 0 0 ₩]

GUYS, I’VE STUCK TO ONLY 1(!!!!) RED BULL THIS WEEK. I wanted to cave more than once so bad, but I refused to let that happen. I have had two coffees.

 

Session 3: Honky Tonk Woman

[ 0 ₩]

I’m not counting the kettlebell purchase towards my weekly spend, as I do not consider it ‘unnecessary’(like I would video games, take out, etc). Therefore, I stayed under budget, so won’t be losing any Woolongs this week

 

Session 4: Jamming with Edward

[3, 0 0 0 ₩]

Ha, this is not going too well. I got a second session in, but that’s it. As I said to Starpuck, I don’t want to force myself to draw because then it’s going to feel like a chore. I want this to happen instead of doing things like sitting on my phone browsing facebook for an hour. I’m going to try to make up for the lost Woolongs in other ways throughout the challenge.

 

As for today, I am bringing my car in to get an alignment/balance, an induction service for the engine, and a new TPMS in one of my front tires. As all of this is going to take a little while, I’ll bring my sketchbook and drawing supplies with me into the waiting area and get some sketching in while I wait. I’ve made a habit of leaving a sketchbook, graphite pencil, eraser, sharpener, and my Figure It Out! Book in my car so I always have it on me.

 

Session 5: Boogie Woogie Feng Shui

[4, 5 0 0 ₩]

I got the one done earlier in the week, but honestly guys, my head is all fucked up. I don’t know why this is happening, but I’m in a bad way. My moods have been all over the place - frustrated, apathetic, numb, dejected, anxious, and sometimes even content. Yeah, I was feeling okay enough to go to game night, but I felt like I had to put up a facade the whole time. It’s not that my friends are unaware, I just feel like a fucking burden. I have no interest in doing anything. I’m not eating much because I have no appetite, and when I have it’s because I’ve forced myself to. I’ve had no energy, and although I’m finally sleeping through the night, I’m finding it difficult to wake up in the morning. I don’t want to go out or be around people because I feel like everyone knows, and it just makes my anxiety shoot through the roof.

 

I’m scared, because I don’t know when this is going to end. The last time this happened it lasted for months, but there was a reason. Now there is none, at least none that I can think of. I know my therapist had told me that waves like this can happen without warning or triggers, but that doesn’t really help. I have support at home this time, but I still feel at a loss. I don’t know what to say when I’m asked what can be done to help. I don’t know how to dig myself out of this deep, dark hole that my mind created. I just feel so raw, and all I want to do is hide even though I know that it won’t help a damn thing. I try to push myself out of my comfort zone in times like this, because staying on track can help. It’s just so hard and exhausting. I don’t know. I’m almost afraid to post this because it’s probably the most open I’ve been with anyone outside of my BF and therapist. Hell, my family doesn’t even see this side of me. I hate being vulnerable, but here I am posting for the world to see...

 

Bonus Session: Cowboy Funk

[2, 0 0 0 ₩]

Update 2

 

[Wild Wolf]

On 8/10/2017 at 10:18 AM, RuthixCube said:

Aahhhhh thank you!! I knew I had to do something to give it a little 'umph' and to help keeping up with this a bit more fun.

 

I used to do the same thing, when it was on Adult Swim on Cartoon Network. I'd like to own it myself one day, it's just that good of a show.  Oh man, Samurai Champloo! I loved that show too! Dude, have you seen Space dandy? It's basically a parody of Cowboy Bebop, and it's hilariously weird and goofy.

 

The "umph!" came across wonderfully  

 

Space Dandy, eh?? If it's hilariously weird and goofy then I don't see what's stopping me from watching it  

 

 

On 8/10/2017 at 2:50 PM, RuthixCube said:

 

ALSO, I picked up a PS4 slim the other day! @Wild Wolf you know what that means!!

 

 

DESTINY 2!!!!  This makes me very happy! #Squad #Fireteam

 

On 8/15/2017 at 1:26 PM, RuthixCube said:

No sketching was had on Sunday or Monday. I’ve been dealing with a bad wave of depression since Friday, with Saturday and Sunday being the worst days. Total breakdowns were had, cuddling was done, and I’m feeling a bit better as the week goes on. I DID get some sketching in today at lunch time, so I’m collecting on that.

 

11 minutes ago, RuthixCube said:

I hate being vulnerable, but here I am posting for the world to see...

 

Being vulnerable is one of the hardest things to do...especially here and even more so on the internet in general. NF has always been a safe haven for me but it took me 2+ years to become vulnerable enough to admit that I was dealing with depression...that I was a closet pot head....that I dealt with anger issues....it's tough as shit to admit that we aren't as "cool" as our avatar's make us out to be but the reality is, I think you're in a safe place here. 

 

As someone who hasn't dealt with a lot of depression, I wish I had better words and advice to post on here to encourage you. Distractions are my biggest prize when I feel this way; gaming, movies, audible books....I've found that what works for me is laughing. Like, genuinely laughing your ass off to the point where your body dumps those "feel good" hormones and then keep laughing. Recently, I was feeling super overwhelmed and anxious beyond belief...basically having a mini panic attack. What saved me? An audible book written and performed by Kevin Hart. Fuckin A that dude is funny and listening to his book, the problems he's faced and how he overcame them was spot on for me in that moment. I "needed" that laughter to help see me through to better days. So, if I have any piece of info that you could maybe take away, find something to really make you laugh. Chuckles and snickers don't count  

 

 

I'm here for you in anyway I can, Ruthie. You have my number  

 

Wolf

[Cheetah]

2 hours ago, RuthixCube said:

I’m in a bad way.

 

I understand.  I get seasons of depression, off and on.  The come and go as they will... sometimes it's related to weather and seasons and such, sometimes it's not.  Sometimes they last a few weeks, sometimes it's months.  Once it was most of a year.  So, I totally understand how you're feeling, and what it's like to get stuck there, wondering if it will ever end.  You're not alone.  From what I've been reading, there are a lot of people here on the forums who deal with this stuff.  I'm glad that you're talking about it.  I know that for me, talking about how I'm feeling makes a difference, just getting it out there helps somehow.  Keep coming back; we're here for you.