[JediNickD] World 3 Level 8: "Yoda and I will always be with 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: "Yoda and I will always be with you." 

 

Knowledge is passed from teacher to student.  Steve Kamb has been a teacher through his articles for many of us.  Our parents, school teachers, professors, coaches, and instructors are also teachers and mentors.  Their lessons stay with us in our minds and our hearts.  With those lessons is a part of the teacher.  And that is what Obi-Wan means when he says, "Yoda and I will always be with you." 

 

Quote

Luke: [approaching R2-D2] I can't do it, R2. I can't go on alone.
Obi-Wan: [from out of sight] Yoda and I will always be with you.
Luke: Obi-Wan.
[Obi-Wan's spirit approaches Luke]

 

Right after Yoda dies and fades away, Luke is the last living Jedi.  On his shoulders rest the fate of the galaxy as physically alone he must defeat Darth Vader and the Emperor to destroy the dark side to bring peace and harmony back to the galaxy.  Having been trained by Yoda and Obi-Wan, he will not challenge them spiritually or mentally alone.  The lessons instilled in Luke carry Yoda and Obi-Wan's influence and memory. 

 

There is a double meaning there, too, in that Obi-Wan is a Force Ghost and becomes one at the end of the movie; however, as Force Ghosts they cannot influence the events around them physically and would be distracting to Luke when confronting Vader and the Emperor.  They appear to only be able to connect with Luke (and in The Force Awakens through Anakin's lightsaber, they connect to Rey in a Force Vision).  I think this ability may be addressed in The Last Jedi with Rey having another Force Vision.  I think we will find out why Yoda and Obi-Wan's Force Ghosts (plus Anakin's Force Ghost) are no longer with Luke (or maybe they are in some not yet revealed in the teasers or trailers).  But analyzing Star Wars movie plots is not what I do here.

Thinking back to my education, there are several teachers who influenced me, encouraged me, and became a part of me.  Thinking back to my childhood, there are several adults and friends who instilled in me life lessons, which I carry with me today.  Thinking back to my athletics "career", there are several coaches and players who taught me about fair play, sportsmanship, playing as a team, and mental toughness, who I carry with me on the playing field.  I'm going to turn this into a speech or two for Toastmasters, so I'm going to cap it here and just say more to come.

With each lesson learned, there is a connection to another person built and carried with you in your heart and mind.

 

 

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 8 Challenge:

FITNESS:

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

  DEX +1, STA +1
   

• 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 - 720 min total, 150 weekly.  *Belt test on Sunday to start the challenge, so I loaded an extra 120 mins to account for it.
  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 +3, CHA +3

 

 

INCENTIVES!  Working hard for CASH!  ($264 carried over, but in Week 0, I spent $109 on new dress pants and XBox controllers)

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: 

  Life:

• $2 for each Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance task.

  Workout:

• $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 2 miles in less than 18 minutes.  (once a week only)
• $10 for running 3 miles in less than 30 minutes.  (once a week only)
• $10 for running more than 40 minutes.  (once a week only)

 

PUNISHMENT:

• Lose $10 each day with weight above 152.5 lbs.  TIME FOR SERIOUS BUSINESS!

[WhiteGhost]

Following!

[JediNickD]

152.6 lbs this morning.  Down -$10 to start but it could have been worse I guess.  I controlled my portions well, but there was only one vegetable dish, green bean casserole with cheese and fried onions... not very healthy.

 

Karate test was awesome!  We did Bunki, which is application of the form.  Using the swallow form from Taegeuk 4 form, we did a block, grab, chop, throw, and stomp, which was fun.  I did an inverted ridge hand for my spotlight break, which was not as difficult of a move as it sounded when the instructor suggested it, but it was something new to challenge me.

 

Got a few home projects done Sunday afternoon, dropped the foster kitten off at the adoption shelter (which was sad for the kids), and played a bunch of Battlefront II.

[JediNickD]

152.2 lbs.  Back under my maximum, but I've got two pounds to lose from here to meet my challenge goal. 

 

Ran on the treadmill, but my right calf tightened up.  I had to stop after a half mile to avoid a cramp or strain.  I stretched and did some upper body exercises instead.  Not sure what happened, but I'm going to be cautious with it.

[JediNickD]

151.6 and 151.0 lbs the past two days.  Getting back down.  Karate was fun hitting pads.  Earned my red stripe for skip in kick board break.  Messed up the creed, but I should get it next time.

 

Racquetball was exhausting.  Played some close games and just wore out towards the end. 

 

 

[WhiteGhost]

Congratulations on earning the stripe!

[JediNickD]

It's been a busy week.  Toastmasters, Karate, and some big home projects.  Holiday shopping too.  Tomorrow morning, I'm "running" with some co-worker for a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Challenge.  It is a grueling 1.5 miles, ruck sacking, mudding, and crawling around simulated explosions and firearms.  It should be a lot of fun, but I may have to skip Spar Class tonight to make sure my body isn't too beat up.

[JediNickD]

This morning I competed with a team of 8 against 9 other teams in a Pearl Harbor Remembrance Challenge.  The concept was to put the teams through similar conditions which boots on the ground contested with on that day.  We started with 100 burpees (divided among the team) and 25 4-man push-ups.  For 4-man push-ups, 4 team members lie on their chest in a square with legs on top of another teammate's back.  When you push-ups, only the 8 hands are on the ground.  They were rigorous.  After that, we picked up two 35 lb sandbags and one 35 lb weight plus two imitation M16s and a stretcher kit.  After picking it up, we could not set it down.  We could pass the equipment among the team members.  We ran to the second stage about 100 yards away, maybe more.  50 burpees and 25 4-man push-ups.  Then two more sandbags and a bear crawl 100 yards.  That was a long 100 yards with a sandbag.  Then we were on our feet for station 3.  Same burpees and push-ups, then we picked up four more sandbags, but they were simulating a 50 cal machine gun and ammo, so we were allowed to use the stretcher to carry them.  To the next station was a half mile run.  I was gassed here, but we were last before this portion.  Passing a team on the way to station 4 got us energized.  No burpees, but we had the push-ups.  Now things got tricky.  We had to put a man on the stretcher.  Luckily, we had a 120 lb guy on the team.  That made things easier, but we had 4 guys carrying a stretcher with 140 lbs of sand and 120 lbs of person, then we had 4 guys carrying 35 lbs of sand plus the two M16s.  Everyone was carrying something the rest of the way.  Next station, the zone was hot with no evac, we picked up a 25 lb water can and the M16s had to secure the perimeter.  We passed two more teams leaving that station on our way to the finish which was a half mile trudge with all that equipment.  At the finish we unloaded everything and reported back to base. 

 

Oh, and the whole time we were constantly hitting the deck with incoming simulated ordnance.  It was tough getting down and back up carrying the stretcher with a sandbag on my back, but that stretch was where our guys really came together and hauled.  Great team building and I can't wait for the next one.  I will be doing more push-ups to prep for it though. 

 

I'm pretty happy with how well my back fared.  Getting winded after only a quarter in was a little disappointing.  I just don't train in that intensity anymore, but I will to get ready for these.  Seems like they are quarterly, so I got three months.

[WhiteGhost]

Wow, that sounds really tough.  Good job getting through it

[JediNickD]

152.4 lbs... ugh.  Ate a bit heavy over the weekend.  Need to make a change and get back on track. 

 

Lot of walking and driving on Saturday with the family.  Drove for about 3 hours, to meet up with my little brother's family and our mom at the National Harbor Christmas displays and wonderland.  We were there for 5 hours, then drive across town for dinner with older brother's family and parents.  After dinner, we drive 30 minutes to hang out at older bros house until midnight, then drive 2 hours home.  About 16 hours out of the house today visiting family.  I'm looking forward to the day one of my brothers comes to visit my family for as long (not likely).

 

Sunday was a light day with naps and Legos with football in the background.  I took care of the animals, but there is always more to be done.

 

Karate practice this morning.  Need to work on my foot position for kicks.  Leg-raised pushups between my kicks.  We should go to Karate class tonight.  The kids have a belt test on Sunday and need practice to be ready.

[JediNickD]

151.8 today and yesterday.  Too many Christmas cookies, luncheons, and gatherings for me these past two weeks.  It is tough to make healthy choices, when being social and only unhealthy options are presented, but I need to exhibit some control and communicate my health interests to my friends and family.  At two restaurants, I could have made a better choice or saved a portion for a take home box (or just not eating it, but I have a psychological block against wasting food/money), but I decided to reduce the next meal, which didn't work out as well as I planned.  For the most part, I think I am done being a cookie taste tester for a couple weeks. 

 

Karate yesterday.  One kid is all striped and ready for the test on Sunday.  She was ready last month, but the instructors wanted to give her more time to perfect the combos and form while also keeping her and her younger sister on the same test schedule.  This was a bit discouraging to her, but we talked about it and the last few weeks she has been amazing.  Unfortunately, they may have overestimated my youngest daughter's progress, who is also getting discouraged, because she is getting stressed out with the pressure for striping and testing.  She knows everything well enough to get through it, but it is sloppy and unfocused.  She wants to get it done quick and is having trouble slowing down to make sure it is right.  She is 7 and this should be understandable, but she is missing her form stripe, because of this.  The instructor really should have taken more time in class with her to get his point across, because tonight is really her last chance to get the stripe, then get her overall assessment stripe Saturday before the test.  If they don't take time with her tonight, and aren't satisfied to move her up, then I don't know what they are going to do.  I don't think they will hold her back another month considering she has all the other stripes and they held my eldest back for her, so I think she'll get the stripe regardless tonight.  But if that is the case, then why not stripe her for form last night, and stress the points again during her overall assessment tonight?  That would give us time to work on it before the test to make it good without the stress.  All waiting did was discourage her and stress her out, that she might not test on Sunday.  She looked like she was going to cry about it when I asked her.  Anyway, rant over.  I'll be there to make sure things go well for her, but I think I'll need to Senpai to do that, which I was not planning on.   

 

Well, work is going great.  Excellent review from my supervisors on Monday, changes to the client organization could bring improvements, and today was a company gathering with Senior Staff and Team Leads.  I am one of the company Big Whigs and they have big plans for moving me to new leadership opportunities.  Exciting stuff.

[JediNickD]

The kids' Karate test went great.  They turned into zombies in the middle, but low blood sugar and hydration will do that to their little bodies.  They rocked their spotlights at the end though.  We did a present exchange at home last night to give the kids time to play with the stuff we got them before we leave it behind for the trip down to North Carolina to visit the in-laws.  We didn't want to lug all the presents back and forth plus all the presents to and from the family down there.  Opening everything all at once is a bit overwhelming for everyone anyway. 

 

Working on my weight, but I forgot to get on the scale this week.  I know I'm off with the dieting and fasting.  I'm working on corrections, but mostly it is about what is convenient.  Dicing up a red cabbage is not convenient at the moment.  I split a burrito for two lunches with baby carrots and an apple to fill me up.  I did go for a spring mix salad with dinner last night, but the lettuce was wilty so I gave it to the rabbit.  The cabbage will need to be dealt with soon.  I want to bring it in the 8 hour car trip so I lay off the fast food.  I think I will make coleslaw wraps for convenient eating while driving.

[JediNickD]

On 11/22/2017 at 9:04 AM, JediNickD said:

Challenge Lesson: "Yoda and I will always be with you." 

 

 

From Star Wars: The Last Jedi

 

Spoiler

Yoda: We are what they grow beyond.

 

 

Just another way to say it.  I'll give everyone another challenge before I start with the lessons from The Last Jedi.  It is full of good ones.

[JediNickD]

World 3 Level 8 Challenge GRADES:

FITNESS:

• Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 500 min total, 120 weekly. 
  A = 580 min, met weekly.  I did really well staying on top of my cardio, but I would like to get my distance up and get outside.  I didn't challenge my cardio bonuses much.

  DEX +1, STA +1
   

• Exercise: Lifting and Bodyweight - 300 min total, 80 weekly. 
  A = 320 min, met weekly.  I am killing it with my pull up bar work.  I went full ninja warrior while visiting my in-laws over the weekend.  They have an indoor pool, inside a green house with metal truss supports.  I climbed clear across the the pool a few times just for fun.

  STR +1
   

• Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - 400 min total, 100 weekly. 
  A = 480 min, met weekly.  Lots of stretching and keeping my back and neck healthy.

  STR +1, DEX +1
   

• Karate: Training and Practice - 720 min total, 150 weekly.  *Belt test on Sunday to start the challenge, so I loaded an extra 120 mins to account for it. 
  A = 830 min, met weekly.  The kids had a belt test too on Dec 17th which resulted in some extra practice time getting them ready. 
  DEX +1, STA +1

DIET:

• Weight Control - Lose 1 lb by end of challenge. Never weigh more than 152.5 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.
  C = I did terrible on controlling my weight and after dinner snacking, especially in Week 4.  I kept it healthy, but portions and daily calorie counts were too high.  This is my lowest grade ever in 40 challenges.  Not happy with my effort. 
  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). 
  A = 273 tasks, met weekly.
  WIS +3, CHA +3

 

 

INCENTIVES!  Working hard for CASH!  ($264 carried over, but in Week 0, I spent $109 on new dress pants and XBox controllers)
$264 - $109 + $30 + $10 + $8 - $5 + $19 +$28 + $5 - $90 = $160 Carry Over to next Challenge

 

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.

$10*3 = $30

 

REWARD 2:  $5 for each Business Project hour. 

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

$5*4 - $10 = $10

 

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.

$1*8 = $8

 

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.

$1*17 - $2*11 = -$5

 

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

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

$1*25 - $2*3 = $19

BONUSES: 

  Life:

• $2 for each Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance task.
  $2*9 + $2*5 = $28

  Workout:

• $5 for 10 or more sprints in one workout.  (once a week only)  $5
• $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 2 miles in less than 18 minutes.  (once a week only)
• $10 for running 3 miles in less than 30 minutes.  (once a week only)
• $10 for running more than 40 minutes.  (once a week only)

 

PUNISHMENT:

• Lose $10 each day with weight above 152.5 lbs.  TIME FOR SERIOUS BUSINESS!  -$10*9 = -$90

[JediNickD]

SPOILER FREE

 

I went to see The Last Jedi again last night.  I can understand why fans may be upset about how the movie, director, and writers treated the characters and story line.  The response actually parallels that of Empire Strikes Back, which is now viewed as the best of the saga.  I feel after Episode IX, fans will view The Last Jedi as one of their favorites.  It has a lot of story to tell in each of the new and old characters, which leads to a long run time (longest of the saga) and many subplots, but each will have a huge payoff in the finale.  The visuals alone push this movie to the top of my Star Wars rankings.  

 

See it a few more times and pay attention to the details.  Look for links to not just The Force Awakens,  but also the other 6 movies, and think about where they can take the story or the characters in Episode IX.  You may notice how The Last Jedi has callbacks and similarities to Empire Strikes Back, but you may have missed how it also draws similarities to Return of the Jedi, which opens the door for Episode IX to be something new, something different, and something amazing, which is goes along perfectly with Luke's desire for the Jedi to end (from the trailer) and why he has exiled himself on Acho-To.

 

The first movie in each trilogy is an origin story for the characters with a hero's journey arc.  A New Hope is the only one to not clearly setup the next movie with an epilogue (because Lucas figured this was as far as he'd get).  The second installment puts the characters in peril and delivers a twist (which Attack of the Clones does a horrible job with because we already know where it is going), which changes the characters exposing a new element to resolve in the third movie. 

 

For Attack of the Clones, the twist is Anakin beginning his fall to the dark side starting with the slaughter of the Sand People and being shown again in the climax with Count Dooku.  Anakin needed to show more fury and uncontrolled rage in this climax for it to make an impact.  Using the Force to tear apart a few battle droids would have done it.  Padme making to the hanger and being injured would have been a perfect setup for pushing Anakin over the edge against Dooku.  Instead, he just looks like an arrogant dumbass trying to take Dooku alone... twice... and losing... twice.  It is so lame.

 

For Empire Strikes Back, the main twist is one of the best in cinema history.  The subplots of Han, Leia, and Lando offer a few twists of their own.  Rian Johnson was setup for failure if he wanted to compete with these twists, which were the same kinds of twists setup by The Force Awakens.  Everyone seemed to want these questions answered.  There were so many theories on these questions, some which seemed very interesting which fans really wanted to see.  Instead of going the predictable and safe route, Johnson gives us new twists which make the third trilogy stand on its own while opening the door for a infinite number of new possibilities in an ever expanding galaxy a long time ago, far, far away. 

 

Look for novels and comics to take some of those fan-favorite characters, questions, and theories to explore them, because that is where the fans really get what they want.  Do you think there would have ever been a Plagues or Phasma book if fans didn't want it?  And remember, "The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force."  May the Force be with you.