[JediNickD] World 3 Level 7: "This is a Dangerous Time for You"

[JediNickD]

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.  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.  On to World 3 to continue to level up my life!

 

Challenge Lesson: "This is a dangerous time for you"

Last challenge, I used the second half of this scene.  This challenge, I wanted to go back and capture a lesson from a few lines earlier. 
 
From Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (bold emphasis mine):
 

Quote

[Yoda tries to convince Luke not to leave]
Yoda: You must not go!
Luke: But Han and Leia will die if I don't.
[Obi-Wan's Force-spirit suddenly appears]
Obi-Wan: You don't know that. Even Yoda cannot see their fate.
Luke: But I can help them! I feel the Force!
Obi-Wan: But you cannot control it. This is a dangerous time for you, when you will be tempted by the Dark Side of the Force.

 

Obi-wan introduces a concept which is a common thread throughout the Star Wars stories. The Dark Side of the Force is tempting and seductive.  It corrupts Jedi who wish to find the easy path, who wish to meet their own goals, and who wish suffering on to others.  This does not directly relate to real world Jedi, because no one is wielding the Force; however, we do find ourselves in positions of power.  How we wield that power determines whether we work towards the Light Side or the Dark Side.  Using the power to serve one's self instead of helping others is not very Jedi.  When first entering that position of power, it is a dangerous time, because one is tempted to complete their own personal goals before helping those they are in the position to serve.  If one looks at the position as a service position as opposed to a ruling one, then that leader will work towards other people's goals first, with their own personal goals being secondary.

As I compete and win in Toastmasters contests, I need to watch my ego.  I do not want to brag about success.  I do not want to overplay my hand either.  I'm just going to keep working hard to develop my skills and find new challenges.  After this competition, I need to write a new speech with new ideas.  I certainly won't bring back the same punch lines next time as that would not be growing.

 

As I accept more leadership opportunities at work, I need to watch my ego.  When I was a kid, I felt I was born to lead.  I was always Robin Hood to my band of merry friends.  I was always Leonardo when playing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  I was always barking orders and deciding where to go and what to do.  I felt strategy and vision were my strengths.  I showed those strength in sports and captaining several teams.  I had an ego thinking my physical and mental abilities were reason enough for others to follow, but I was seen as arrogant and egotistical.  Eventually, I learned humility and teamwork.  As I progressed through school, I decided being the center of attention was not my strong suit, instead focusing on being a successful engineer.  After working as an engineer for 5 years, I found I can't just keep my head down and do good work.  Successful engineers need to sell their thoughts and ideas to others.  I needed to get over my fear of public speaking and get comfortable supporting my arguments.  Coming full circle after hammering out many of my leadership and communication faults though Toastmasters, I am working towards being a successful leader professionally, but I need to watch myself and remember what I have learned to get where I am.

 

Leadership is not about being in charge.  Leadership is a service to your followers, your clients, and your end-users.  To be successful, leaders must coach and develop their team members through listening to them for ideas and innovations, delegating tasks which will challenge their skills to make them better, and recognizing their achievements in special ways.  This past week, I have been inserted into a delicate situation where two team leads instructed a software engineer to develop a program to specific requirements which have been miscommunicated or misinterpreted on a few occasions, but the project is also not going to meet the deadline due to time mismanagement.  Myself and two other program leads are working with the team leads and the software engineer to correct the miscommunication and mismanagement with a plan to simplify daily tasks and weekly goals derived from the project requirements.  Unfortunately, there is a lot of finger pointing and hand waving going on between the team leads and the engineer, which is only making the situation worse.  It will be difficult to get everyone to move forward as a team without a showing of good faith from each side.

 

Mostly, this is a dangerous time for me, because I am at a point of saturation with my priorities.  Everything seems to want to boil over at the same time and like I did at the end of World 2, I need to maintain my course, keep my top priorities straight, and give it my best each step of the way.  When I come through the fire, I will be forged better and stronger for it.

 

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.

 

World 3 Level 7 Challenge:

FITNESS:

• Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 500 min total, 120 weekly. 

  DEX +1, STA +2
   

• Exercise: Lifting and Bodyweight - 300 min total, 80 weekly. 

  STR +1
   

• Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - 400 min total, 100 weekly. 

  STR +1, DEX +1
   

• Karate: Training and Practice - 600 min total, 150 weekly. 
  STR +1, DEX +1, STA +1
   

DIET:

• Weight Control - Lose 1 lb by end of challenge. Never weigh more than 153.6 lbs. 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 "fasting" after dinner nightly.  I'm looking to continue to cut down on snacking and desserts after dinner.  I need to ensure I have a calorie deficit or I won't continue to lose weight.
  CON +2
   

LIFE:

• Get Stuff Done - Complete (or dedicate at least one hour to) 240 Tasks or Projects, with at least 60 each week, from any of the following areas (minimum for challenge):
  Toastmasters Communication Practice (8), Toastmasters Leadership Practice (8), Toastmasters Speech and Training Development (8), Mentoring (6), Charity Work (10), Jedi Training (8), Self Preservation (16), Reading (16), Church Work (14), Job Work (10), Business Projects (10), Dishes (20), Laundry (16), Cleaning/Dusting/Vacuuming (20), Other Chores (20), Yard Work (8), Animal Care (30), Home Renovation (4), Auto Maintenance (4), Family Activities (8), Adventuring (6).   
  WIS +2, CHA +2

 

I have a few major events this challenge:

Toastmasters Speechcraft Interest Meeting at Work - Nov 2

Toastmasters Humorous Speech Contest at the District Conference - Nov 4

Extra Life Kick Off with RPG Night - Nov 3

Extra Life Game Day - Nov 4

Toastmasters Speechcraft Kickoff at Work - Nov 16

37th Birthday Celebration - Nov 18

Any events involving the selling of our old house - Closing by Dec 1

 

 

INCENTIVES!  Working hard for CASH!  ($209 carried over)

REWARD 1:  For each week I complete 65 or more tasks, I will put aside $10 to spend how I see fit. 
CONSEQUENCE 1:  For any week where I complete less than 60 tasks, I will give up $10 of saved cash.

 

REWARD 2:  $5 for each Business Project hour. 

CONSQUENCE 2: Lose $10 for each week without a Business Project hour.

 

REWARD 3:  $1 for each hour working on Jedi Training lessons.
CONSQUENCE 3: Lose $5 for each week without working on a Jedi Training lesson.

 

REWARD 4: $1 for each night of fasting after dinner.  Fruits and veggies allowed in small quantities, but no dessert or snacking.   

CONSQUENCE 4: Lose $2 for each day without fasting.  Lose $5 for eating more than 2 slices of pizza in any meal.

 

REWARD 5: $1 for each day with a small, healthy lunch. 

CONSQUENCE:  Lose $2 for each day without a small, healthy lunch.

BONUSES: 

• $5 for each Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance task.
• $5 for 10 or more sprints in one workout.  (once a week only)
• $5 for running more than 3.5 miles in a workout.
• $5 for running below an 8 minute mile.  (once a week only)
• $10 for running below a 7 minute mile.  (once a week only)
• $5 for running 3 miles in less than 30 minutes.  (once a week only)

 

PUNISHMENT:

• Lose $10 each day with weight above 153.6 lbs.  TIME FOR SERIOUS BUSINESS!

 

[JediNickD]

151.4 lbs

 

Sprints, this morning, after stretching, pistol squats, shrimp squats, and assisted muscle ups (progressing nicely dropping 15 lbs off the assist from last week and still getting in sets of 4 reps). 

 

My wife and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary this weekend.  It was low key after already going to the Ren Faire as part of our gift to each other.  We spent a majority of the weekend cleaning and setting up for the kids Halloween party coming up Friday.  We did go out for a delicious lunch at one of our favorite spots on Sunday.  Saturday night, we hit a garden and water fountain light show.  Last night, our actual anniversary date, was just a typical weeknight with homework and left overs for dinner.

 

I may have a new racquet ball partner.  He's never played but wants to give it a try.  We are playing this Friday.

[JediNickD]

Too much lasagna and oatmeal cookies last night.  I need to recover quickly from this misstep.

[JediNickD]

Looks like I recovered.  149.6 lbs this morning.  The weight continues to slowly slide off.  A daily calorie deficit has been key.  If I miss one day, then it is easy to recover.  Missing two days in a row could cause a bigger shock wave. 

 

I played racquetball for the first time in a long time.  I was rusty, but my partner was new and awkward so I just made sure I hustled and kept the volley going.  Next time, I can work on placement and thinking ahead.  It was a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to another run. 

 

Last night at Karate, I was a senpai for the junior class, which my kids are in.  I helped a few White and No belts with warm up, then I worked with an Orange belt on his jump fakes and jump snap kicks.  Then I had my own class, which was all splits and kicks working on hitting high.  It was a good class which I needed the work for.  My side kicks are below my belly button because I don't have any natural flexibility in my hip joints.  In class, I was able to work on improving my flexibility through repetition, something I tend to avoid when working on my own. 

[raptron]

Super solid stuff going on in hereee.

[JediNickD]

The solid stuff continues.  150.6 lbs this morning. 

 

Worked on my speech today for the contest.  It's ready, but I'm nervous about practicing it again in front of a new audience.  I'm planning to video tomorrow night.  Maybe I'll share on YouTube? 

 

Halloween party for the kids kicked butt.  Good warm up for Extra-Life Saturday night this weekend.  I got Hero Quest out to run for the kids.  Planning Cosmic Encounter for the adults plus a few party games, which will make some great video.  I'm planning to begin recording my Legend of Zelda Randomized run in the morning through when I have to leave for the speech contest.  My Gameday event will actually kickoff Friday Night at my friend's RPG of Grin, which my wife and I will be playing.  Because of this and the speech contest, I had to shorten the time for having friends over, which stinks, but at least I have a really good reason. 

 

 

[raptron]

Niceee! Go, go Extra Life! Most of my crew can't do it this weekend so we're leaking into next. 

[JediNickD]

150.4 lbs.  Recorded the speech last night.  I haven't watched it yet, but I shared it on Facebook for my friends to get some feedback.  It wasn't my best performance, but the material is as good as it is going to get before Saturday.  I'm ready to kick butt.  Until I watch the video... I'm my worst critic.  But I need to watch it to get better.

[JediNickD]

EXTRA LIFE!  

 

First video is online: https://youtu.be/t36iYulUIec

 

[JediNickD]

The speech contest was awesome.  I did well and got a lot of laughs, but the others were really good.  I thought three of them were clearly better and all three took home hardware.  The other two I thought I could have beat.  Of the five, I had never heard any of them before. 

 

After, I was still shaking from the experience, but it was an adrenaline rush instead of nervous butterflies, which signifies the growth from terrified of public speaking to enjoying the experience.  I did my thing, used my skills, and had fun making others laugh.  Mission accomplished.

 

I'm already working on my International Speech Contest speech, because I know I can win up there. 

[raptron]

That's awesome! Congrats on a good speech.  

 

You guys have fun during Extra Life?

[JediNickD]

2 minutes ago, raptron said:

That's awesome! Congrats on a good speech.  

 

You guys have fun during Extra Life?

 

Extra Life game day was abbreviated because of the contest.  5 hours Friday Night of an RPG called Grin, which is really great storytelling adventure.  After a few hours of getting the live stream working right, I played 2 hours of Legend of Zelda Randomized Saturday morning, then the speech contest 1pm-7pm (that's a big hole in the middle of my day for a 5-7 minute speech, but it was totally worth the experience).  After I got home from the speech contest, I played board games with friends for 4 hours (Ticket to Ride only for me, but the players made some fun video content).  I tried to push some of the party games (Speak Out, Spontuneous, Pie Face, Uggtect), but no one was interested, which is fine.  I wrapped up the night with 4 hours of Legend of Zelda Randomized until I could not keep my eyes open.  It was riveting video content of me mumbling into a mic and dying running into easy enemies.  After 3 hours of sleep, Sunday was church and Thor and grocery shopping and Walking Dead, with some napping in between so no gaming. 

 

Total hours = 5 + 2 + 4 + 4 = 15 hours... hmm... 9 hours short of 24.

 

I might get the other 9 hours done next weekend with some board games, Minecraft, and Halo with the kids.  Also, I still want to finish the Legend of Zelda game.  I only beat two dungeons in 4 hours, because it took forever to find dungeons.  Having only the Wooden Sword for most of it didn't help.  I have the White Sword and Blue Ring now, and have enough Heart Containers to get the Magic Sword, which I did find earlier, but didn't write it down, so I'm hoping to fly through the rest of the game after being well rested.

 

The more important part is raising money for the kids. I still have a bit of a way to go to get to my fundraising goal.  I'm sharing my content and stories with friends and family, but the response has been slow compared to last year.  I'm planning to use my Toastmasters skills to put together a few sales pitch videos.  I am even considering reaching outside my normal circle of friends to share the content through email. 

 

 

[JediNickD]

152.0 Monday, 150.4 Tuesday.  Poor choices over the busy weekend, but I am back on track.

 

Body is sore though.  My left shoulder (separated playing rugby in my college days) and neck (disc issues) are acting up.  Yesterday it was the lower back.  Might need some rest days.

 

Light 1.5 mile run this morning.

[JediNickD]

149.8 lbs this morning.  Karate last night.  Senpai the junior class, then got to work on my stance and forms.  I needed the review.  Racquetball this morning for 90 minutes.  That wore me out.  I have tomorrow off, so no gym, but I'll get in a home workout and get started early on my home projects.  My wife is excited. 

 

 

[raptron]

On 11/7/2017 at 7:44 AM, JediNickD said:

152.0 Monday, 150.4 Tuesday.  Poor choices over the busy weekend, but I am back on track.

 

Body is sore though.  My left shoulder (separated playing rugby in my college days) and neck (disc issues) are acting up.  Yesterday it was the lower back.  Might need some rest days.

 

Light 1.5 mile run this morning.

 

16 minutes ago, JediNickD said:

149.8 lbs this morning.  Karate last night.  Senpai the junior class, then got to work on my stance and forms.  I needed the review.  Racquetball this morning for 90 minutes.  That wore me out.  I have tomorrow off, so no gym, but I'll get in a home workout and get started early on my home projects.  My wife is excited. 

Racquetball is no joke. Also just a reminder that you said maybe a rest day is a good idea. Do you have one planned?  

[JediNickD]

23 minutes ago, raptron said:

 

Racquetball is no joke. Also just a reminder that you said maybe a rest day is a good idea. Do you have one planned?  

 

Rest day will be Sunday, unless required sooner.  Karate and racquetball went well with not too much soreness so I should be good tomorrow and Saturday.

[JediNickD]

Surprise birthday party on Friday during my day off for Veterans Day.  Played an Escape the Room and Cosmic Encounter.  Pretty great day, but also fattening with cake, candy, and snacks.  Saturday, we went to karate and I got some things done around the house, mostly cleaning and putting stuff away.  Sunday, we got even more done, winterizing the backyard animals and putting up plywood on the deck for a rock wall, and I forgot to eat lunch. 

 

Karate practice this morning to focus on details from Saturday for my double kicks.

[JediNickD]

151.4 lbs, back to assisted muscle-ups!  I'm getting closer to unassisted work.

 

Karate class last night was working on combinations.  I was able to stripe for it, though I know my skipping side kicks were off balance in my landing.  I got to break for my stripe.  I used a ridge hand which is one of my favorite strikes as it comes out of nowhere.  Personally, I wouldn't use it after a skipping side kick, as my belt combination suggests, as I have found in spar that I am exposed to counter attacks to my chest and head after a side kick.  Instead, I prefer to use a ridge hand after blocking a middle attack, such as a side kick or a punch combination.  Just as I was exposed, so would my opponent.  The ridge hand to the head or neck is a perfect counter to surprise my opponent.  Round house and out to in kicks work in the same fashion, but can be telegraphed and blocked easier.

[raptron]

Happy belated birthday! What kind of assist are you using on the muscle-ups at this point?

[JediNickD]

6 minutes ago, raptron said:

Happy belated birthday! What kind of assist are you using on the muscle-ups at this point?

 

I'm using a 50 lb weighted assist.  It is a machine with dip and pull assist where you kneel on a padded lever to offset a portion of your body weight.  I stand on the padded lever, so I can go above the bar for a muscle up. 

 

Also, my actual birthday is on Sunday.  The party was so early and on a day where my wife and I had planned several clean up and renovation projects that I was completely blindsided.  I felt so weird enjoying myself with games and friends when I had planned to get work done.  Thanks for the birthday wishes! 

[JediNickD]

150.4 lbs this morning

 

Phew, racquetball was ON this morning.  I crushed it winning all three games.  Had to come from behind in the first game which was cutthroat.  13-4-2 was the score when I started to get my game going.  Yeah, I was the two, and mostly responsible for the big lead Wallace had, but I put it together and tied it at 13-13-9, then he got the next point, then I got one, then the third guy, Rick, closed in to tie it all up at 14-14-14 with the next point ending the game.  It was competitive and great fun with that last volley.  The other two games was just one-on-one against Wallace who is still relatively new to the game and still learning how to place shots.  I went easy on him and we had some nice long rallies, but he makes it easy on me by hitting too hard allowing me to be patient for my shot.  It's pretty amazing that we only got three games in during the 80 minutes we were one the court.  Games usually average 15 minutes.

 

My wife and I went to karate last night.  We were doing review for testing.  I earned my blue stripe for double kicks (no more floppy foot), which leaves only my purple stripe.  I did get my letter recommending me for the test on the 26th, but I'm sure they want me purple striped by Monday at the latest.  Also, I gotta tell them I want to break at the test.  I've been working on my right leg out-to-in kick, but I might save that for another test since it is not one of the form or combination pieces.  I'll probably do combination 5, which is a skipping side kick, ridge hand, back fist, breaking with both the side kick and ridge hand.  They might make me do the back fist though.  We'll see.

 

 

[raptron]

On 11/15/2017 at 10:21 AM, JediNickD said:

 

I'm using a 50 lb weighted assist.  It is a machine with dip and pull assist where you kneel on a padded lever to offset a portion of your body weight.  I stand on the padded lever, so I can go above the bar for a muscle up. 

 

Also, my actual birthday is on Sunday.  The party was so early and on a day where my wife and I had planned several clean up and renovation projects that I was completely blindsided.  I felt so weird enjoying myself with games and friends when I had planned to get work done.  Thanks for the birthday wishes! 

Nice! That is a lovely surprise all the same. Glad you were able to enjoy it even with the lingering feeling you should be busy in other ways.

 

The 26th is soon! Very exciting! 

[JediNickD]

I kicked off my Speechcraft class.  Instructing students in public speaking is difficult as I am an amateur with this skill still getting my feet under me, but as Toastmaster, 5 years and a Distinguished Toastmaster Award is a lot of experience to speak from where other Toastmasters see me as "the expert".  I do fine in that environment, but in my workplace, it is a bit more intimidating.  I need to take more time to prepare and build my confidence in my educational sessions.  I don't think I was impressive today, but they learned and had fun doing it.

 

[JediNickD]

151.6 lbs this morning.  Last year, I was 157.6 after my birthday.  My average was 159.9 lbs.  I've lost a good amount of excess fat since then to slim out my abdomen.  My goal has been 1 lb every 4 weeks, which I am next making according to this comparison.  I'm aiming to be around 145 lbs for my 38th birthday, but I need to focus more on the change in body measurements than weight fluctuations to make my goals.  Weight is a good indicator when I may have had a misstep in diet, but it is not going to continue to drop significantly unless I make radical changes to my diet.  I am progressing nicely with the small changes to diet to get healthier.  Radical never sticks, so I'll keep it small and manageable.

 

It was a great birthday weekend with family on Saturday at my older brother's house for his son's 3rd birthday.  I used to only share November with a cousin in MA and my best friend (oddly, elementary school, high school, and college, I had different best friends, but all three have birthdays around mine).  Now, I share November with three nephews, which is nice, because my family isn't likely to travel to see me for my birthday, but I'll travel to see them for their kids' birthdays.  

 

Church family made me feel special on Sunday, even though I'm not a member of the church with my birthday on the church calendar.  Very thoughtful friends there.  Spent the afternoon working the yard, folding laundry, cleaning up trash, and washing dishes.  I took breaks to play Star Wars: Battlefront II (my present to myself) and watch football, but for the most part I felt pretty satisfied getting stuff done.  If only the kids would get that same satisfaction from doing some hard work.  They always just whine about having to do work.  If only I was Mary Poppins, y'all.

[raptron]

Hah, that is a really good weekend! And sounds like your body composition is trending in the ways that you want it to.