[JediNickD] World 3 Level 11: "I don't need luck! I have 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 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 and crooked spine causing all types of pain in my back, hip, legs, neck, and shoulders.  Through physical therapy exercises and karate, I maintain my spine and back muscles to slow down the advanced aging.  I'm not planning to be playing rugby or football again in this lifetime, but I'm not giving up hope on the possibility either... Rebellions are built on HOPE!

 

I'm just going to keep on L-I-V-I-N, fight the good (and healthy) fight, and level up my life!

 

Challenge Lesson:  

 

Baze Malbus: Good luck!

Chirrut Îmwe: I don't need luck! I have you!

 

Any journey is difficult to navigate by yourself.  Whether we want to admit it or not, no one can do everything by themselves. 

 

Sure, if you are lifting a weight, then you lift it with your arms.    But you stay safe by having a spotter.  You check your technique with a coach watching you.  You push harder, because you have a coach pushing you.  You recognize your achievements with your cheerleader routing you on.  For your workouts, you surround yourself with people who will support you.  Every aspect of life should reflect that.  Why leave it to luck or chance when you can have a supporting cast to get you through?  

 

Sure, it is only you when it comes to deciding what goes into your body.  But you have family and friends that you eat with who will also influence your decisions.  The positive influences help us make healthy choices.  The negative ones need to be weeded out or tuned out.  Peer pressure when it comes to diet is crucial.  Don't leave it to luck.  Surround yourself with the right kind of support.

 

Sure, it is your efforts which get you ahead in school or career, but just like a diet, you need to be aware of the individuals who would drag you down.  Surround yourself with those who are going to build you up and help keep you on track.

 

I'm looking at a job change right now.  It is my decision to make.  I want to stay with my current company.  They trust me.  They believe in me.  They support me in my personal training.  They are looking for the right contract opportunity for me to excel and develop while also being interesting and rewarding.  They bring in the best and brightest, so they can do these things for everyone in the company.  Switching companies would compromise that atmosphere.   I trust them, but 4 weeks is a long time to wait.  It could be 4 or 8 weeks longer.  I may have an important decision to make next week to switch companies to get back to the work I was doing before, just on a different contract, or to stay with my current company and wait for the right opportunity.  The biggest difficulty with staying is that I am risking that they could cut me loose at any time, like I was burned with my last company, who I thought I could trust.  I was with them almost 5 years doing work which is a growth area for them, but they couldn't put me in a new spot.  My current company is not fully invested in my line of work, which makes it difficult for them to find the right opportunity for me... it is a pickle.  All the people I would want to talk to about this are all directly involved or influenced by my decision, so it is even harder to talk to them directly or at all about it.  

 

To help me make my decision, I am looking for my supporters.  Recently, I reached out to several friends to see if there is opportunity outside of these two choices.  I've reached out to my Toastmaster friends for support.  And my immediate family is well aware of the situation.  I have a few more stones to turn over for support.  This site being one of them.  So if you are reading this, don't wish me luck in my decision.  Offer me some encouragement with your own experience as a reference.  

 

Don't leave it to luck or chance when you can have support.

 

 

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 11 Challenge:

FITNESS:

• Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 240 min total, 60 weekly. 

  DEX +1, STA +1
  My leg is healing up, so walking is not going to count this challenge.  I'm only counting super sweaty, heart rate elevated cardio.  Need to keep it low impact.  Gym membership is going to have to get put off until I can get there before work.  I'm driving a friend to their work in the morning right now while their car gets fixed.  Time to get the bike out to ride around before the sun comes up.
   

• Exercise: Lifting and Bodyweight - 320 min total, 80 weekly. 

  STR +1
   

• Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - 480 min total, 120 weekly. 

  STR +1, DEX +1
   

• Karate: Training and Practice - 720 min total, 150 weekly. 
  STR +1, DEX +1, STA +1
  I have a belt test on 3/26 to move up to Purple Belt.  They will let me test modified due to the back and leg injury.  I'm debating just going all out for the test, because I really shouldn't be doing any of it.  I have three stripes left to earn.  Purple stripe is a review, which comes last and will include all the modified combinations, which are still painful because I can't modify the turn-back.  Red stripe will be easy.  It's just a step behind side kick board break which I've modified to an elbow.  I should get that tonight.  Yellow stripe is Taeguek 6, which I know a quarter of.  I've only practiced once in class (last week).  They really pushed combinations with us last month, but I don't know how I managed to go a whole month without doing form in class.  I don't like having only a week to get it down.  Modified for no kicks makes the footwork awkward too.  I'll get it, because I'm going to put in the work through the pain.  
   

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, especially.  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 +3
  I'm on the Spring Mix salad kick this week and next.  Red cabbage probably following that.  
   

LIFE:

• Get Stuff Done - Complete (or dedicate at least one hour to) 300 Tasks or Projects, with at least 75 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 (24), Reading (16), Church Work (8), Job Work (20), Business Projects (12), Dishes (20), Laundry (16), Cleaning/Dusting/Vacuuming (24), Other Chores (24), Yard Work (8), Animal Care (60), Home Renovation (6), Auto Maintenance (6), Family Activities (12), Adventuring (6).   
  WIS +2, CHA +2

 

INCENTIVES!  Working hard for CASH!  ($44 carried over)

REWARD 1:  For each week I complete 80 or more tasks, I will put aside $10 to spend how I see fit. 
CONSEQUENCE 1:  For any week where I complete less than 75 tasks, I will give up $10 of saved cash.

 

REWARD 2:  $5 for each Business Project hour:

• write/plan/record a 2018 Extra Life Kickoff Video
• get involved in Extra Life Baltimore Guild (missed kick-off meeting and will miss Cecil Con)
• revisit Wizard Laser Tag (look into Recoil game app and tech) for Epic Nerd Camp
• draw up plan for Jedi website
• VHS-to-DVD conversion

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

 

REWARD 3:  $1 for each hour working on Jedi Training lessons.  $10 for each completed IJRS lesson.  Need to get back to the formal training at IJRS.
CONSEQUENCE 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.   

CONSEQUENCE 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. 

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

BONUSES: 

  Life:

• $2 for healthy grocery shopping
• $2 for healthy meal prep
• $2 for each Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance task.

  Workout:

• $5 for biking more than 20 min

 

PUNISHMENT:

• Lose $10 each day with weight above 151.5 lbs. 

[Manarelle]

Following again. I have never been in that particular employment position, so all I can offer is my opinion. Is there anything short-term you could do for income to see if the current company comes through, without being unpaid in the meantime? In hindsight, were there signs at the last place that burned you that might be cropping up again, causing you to worry about this now, or is it pure uncertainty? Sometimes the subconscious kicks in without making it clear why. Personally, if you can afford to do something part-time in the meantime, it sounds like it's worth the wait. Good companies are hard to find. 

[JediNickD]

On ‎3‎/‎16‎/‎2018 at 8:38 PM, Manarelle said:

Following again. I have never been in that particular employment position, so all I can offer is my opinion. Is there anything short-term you could do for income to see if the current company comes through, without being unpaid in the meantime? In hindsight, were there signs at the last place that burned you that might be cropping up again, causing you to worry about this now, or is it pure uncertainty? Sometimes the subconscious kicks in without making it clear why. Personally, if you can afford to do something part-time in the meantime, it sounds like it's worth the wait. Good companies are hard to find. 

 

I'm being paid on overhead doing research and proposal work.  Pretty busy actually.  I also completed 5 software certifications to help place me in one of the positions my company is looking to move me to.  The first warning sign I am seeing is that the position they want to place me in is back with my old group which my previous company lost the position and couldn't find a spot to move me to.  If they don't want me back for some reason, then that could be a problem.  The previous reason was my price had gotten too high over 5 years, and I had out grown the position I was hired for.  They wanted a cheaper, less experienced person.  Three years later my price has gone up more, but my experience with what they need someone for is was non-existent until I got those software certs.  We'll see soon.  The second warning sign is time.  It's been 5 weeks since I went on overhead.  That's a lot of cost for my company to absorb.  They are small and can't afford to do that for much longer.  I am giving them value, but unless I directly help them land new business, it is likely not value equal to my cost. Eventually, if they can't put me on contract, they will have to cut my pay or cut me loose.

 

Luckily, they found work for me to do for a few weeks on contract.  It should buy me some time with my company.  There is a job fair on Monday which I am planning to attend to get some more feelers out there, but mostly to cover my ass for worst case scenario.  I may need to be honest with my company over attending, because they are likely to find out I went and I don't want them thinking I am looking to leave.  I also updated my LinkedIn profile, which they can also see.  I agree, good companies and good leaders are hard to find.  

[Manarelle]

7 hours ago, JediNickD said:

I may need to be honest with my company over attending, because they are likely to find out I went and I don't want them thinking I am looking to leave.  I also updated my LinkedIn profile, which they can also see.  I agree, good companies and good leaders are hard to find.  

 

Always best to be honest, especially when it's for practical, professional reasons. Best of luck. 

[JediNickD]

Well, my backup plans are in motion.  I am likely to have a couple interviews next week.  Still debating about the job fair.  One of the companies I applied to is my former company as they had three positions which were in my line of work.  They will be at the job fair.  I had a friend refer me too.  I am interested in the work, which is why I applied.  I may be able to get to the work through another company, but I thought this would be a good route back.  I haven't heard anything from my current company about a new contract since Friday.  I've got proposal work to wrap up today as they are looking to get in contact with the customers and will need my notes.  That works out I could create my own contract to work on for a year or so.  I am really interested to see where that would go.  There is a wrench in that plan though.  My old position moved to a different company should have an offer to me soon.  If they get me the salary I asked for, then I don't see why I wouldn't take the job at this point.  To see where anything could go with my current company, who I want to stick with, I have to delay accepting the offer probably a week.  That is not going to fly very far.  Also, that's just not my style.  Open and honest.  I feel I'm being secretive enough just looking for new work, which if I reveal, then I could end up terminated, since I am not on contract.  If I accept an offer, then I don't expect my current company to counter as they have no actual job for me to offer.  The wicket is sticky and I'm not referring to an Ewok.

 

 

[JediNickD]

From Friday, which I forgot to post:

"Karate test on Sunday is looking positive.  I earned my form stripe last night after learning the last few steps and improving on a couple details the instructors gave me.  Instead of just chambering the roundhouse kicks, the instructors want me to throw a low roundhouse kick, which I can handle.  Same goes for the combinations with the roundhouse and hook kick.  The all look too similar if I just chamber them.  As long as I am upright on my right leg, I won't hurt too bad. 

 

My doctor appointment on Thursday will tell me what is next.  The steroid and anti-inflammatory treatment helped me heal, but I still have soreness and pain.  I think they are going to advise physical therapy without another MRI.  My health insurance is likely to change soon as I am leaning strong at accepting the offer to go back to my old position with a different company.  I have 3 days to make a decision.  I feel I need to ask for more time to investigate another option, but I could accept and investigate at the same time without much issue.  

 

This temporary work is getting old fast.  The guys I am working with have good intentions and a fine workers, but there is no urgency in anything they do, which I can't stick with.  It'll drag me down.  Especially, since they are relying on me for absolutely nothing.  They want me to help them catch up on work, but the only reason they seem to be behind is that they don't work fast or hard enough.  I probably could get all one of their 8 hours of work done in 4 while also contributing to the off-topic distractions.  I like the software tool they are developing as a user, so at least there is that, but installing the software and testing functionality to review their documentation and instructions is not acting as a user. "

 

Passed the Karate test and now have a Purple belt, just a few belt ranks below probational Black Belt and only one step away from the Advanced Class and tests.  My wife is a step behind me, which is good for her, because she can come to me with questions.  My eldest daughter made Green belt and is excited to be out of the junior class.

 

I accepted an offer with a new company in my old position as a short term work solution.  I have another opportunity in the works which would return me to my research and development contracting roots from 3 years ago.  That could be fun and interesting.  I'll have an interview next week likely.

[JediNickD]

Pain Management Doctor visit this morning.  She ordered an MRI, since I am not completely healed and my last MRI was 3 years ago.  I need to check how long my insurance will be active following my last day.  Switching over to new insurance can screw with appointments, so I want to hold off until my next one.  She sees me again in 2 weeks after the MRI.  

 

Karate class I started working on my blue stripe which is a screw kick and flying side kick.  I can't really do a flying side kick... at all.  I jumped and chambered the kick.  I tried a few low kicks.  All of it hurt, because I have to land.  I'm sore on both legs, so I may just need to build up some strength on it.

[JediNickD]

Karate last night was killer.  More Blue Stripe work, but I challenged myself to find a way to do the flying kick without hurting myself.  I wanted to "earn" the stripe even though I can only do half the kicks.  Well, I earned it and today I am paying for it.  I was OK, until I sat in front of the PC for 2 hours straight.   I should have got up and moved around.  

 

Job search keeps broadening.  One of the companies I applied to almost a month ago reached out.  I'm going to talk to them about the positions I applied to, but I'm not really interested any more.  We'll see what they say though.

[Manarelle]

Could always practice the movements in one of those air tunnels... no landing to hurt.  Good luck on the job hunt. How's the rest of the challenge going?

[JediNickD]

149.2 lbs after a candy-filled Easter weekend.  We had my parents up for a visit, which was really great.  We had to cram cleaning the house into the hour between church and their arrival (plus cooking supper).  It was hectic.  

 

Saturday usually is my big cleaning day.  Instead, we worked on cars all afternoon with an egg hunt and activities for the kids in the morning.  I did two oil changes, wiper replacement, seat belt removal, power steering fluid replacement, and a few other things.  My friend had his entire truck cabin pulled apart replacing and repairing the door mechanisms, dashboard controls, and the seat bench and seat belts.  Quite a project to get done in one weekend, but he did it all with help from my wife and I.  

[Manarelle]

Busy, busy. Hope there was time for some fun and relaxation in all that. 

[JediNickD]

1 hour ago, Manarelle said:

Busy, busy. Hope there was time for some fun and relaxation in all that. 

 

Of course!  We had an awesome Easter supper, then an egg hunt, and capped the visit off with a game of Totally Gross with my parents.  The kids always find a way to win that trivia game.  

[JediNickD]

Getting my pushup count back up is harder than I anticipated.  I want to mix in some variants, but I worry about my back. 

 

Getting myself back in the Toastmasters groove is tough too.  I basically took March off from speaking, which was a bad choice.  My momentum has slowed to a crawl.  I have a bunch to wrap up by June 30th and new stuff to kick off after that.  Just been too busy with my contest speech and recruitment events I guess.  Snow cancelations didn't help.

 

 

[Manarelle]

Lots going on in all parts of life, seems like. What's priority?

[SkiBlue]

Man, it's been a while! Glad to see you're still in the fight (no pun intended). 

 

Congratulations on your belt tests! With trying to heal your injury, they sound like they can get pretty difficult. Keep pushing, but don't push too hard.

 

As for advice on your career options, I really don't have much experience to pull from. But I believe there's honestly no harm in trying to find another option. You still have to do what is best for you, professionally, and if it's been over a month on such a rocky foundation, don't feel too bad about trying to find something else for yourself. If they are a good company and truly want what's best for you, when you go to them and say that you found something more suitable, they should understand. Good companies ARE hard to find, but I believe there is a point where you still need to act for your own best interests. 

[JediNickD]

15 minutes ago, Manarelle said:

Lots going on in all parts of life, seems like. What's priority?

 

Priority is always family first, friends second, career third, health and self fourth.  Sometimes Toastmasters lands in the friends category coaching and mentoring other Toastmasters, so it can jump up.

 

For myself, Karate and Toastmasters have level ground at the moment and don't conflict with each other.  Jedi Training has been in the backseat outside of mentoring and training the padawans.  I need to put my personal IJRS training back in the regular lunch time rotation.  Next week, when I go back to my old desk, would be the best time to get that habit going again.

[JediNickD]

150.2 lbs this morning.  First day back at the Gym.  Stretched out and did all my Karate Katas.  Just kept it simple.  Surprised a few friends there, who I just "disappeared" on.  It was good to get back in the swing of things.  I missed it.  At home, I just can't be productive.  I can't make noise at home.  I have no equipment at home.  I have 6 animals trying to distract me at home.  At the gym, I can be productive.

 

Last day at work with my old company.  Mostly, I am just cleaning up the computer to turn in.  I'm excited about Monday.

 

Last night, I went to Karate with the family.  I got to work in a chair, because there is another student with a leg injury.  It was interesting and I got to rest the legs.  I worked on Green Stripe for Brown I belt, which is a Spear Hand thrust, a Palm to the Rib cage, and all blocks in a back stance (which I couldn't do in a chair of course).  Mostly just writing it here for my own reference later.

[Manarelle]

Props for getting anything done at home with 6 animals. I can't even fathom that. Grats on getting back to the gym, and good luck with the new job on Monday. 

[JediNickD]

151.6 lbs this morning.  Pull ups, burpees, push ups, stretching, and physical therapy.  Karate tonight and tomorrow.

 

First week of work and it has been pretty great to be back in in office and lab.  I have certainly been missed by many, others hardly noticed I was gone.  Surprisingly, no one knows any of the details, most making some odd assumptions.  I've shared my side with a few I trust, but there is no reason to gossip about it to everybody.  That can only hurt me.  

 

Now if I can only get my laptop working fully.  My account and encryption is not working right.  I can't open or save.  Luckily, I backed up stuff to a network location, but it is slow.

 

 

 

 

[JediNickD]

150.2 lbs 

 

Feeling better and better every day.  My kicks are coming back building up strength and healing.  Tried a few side kicks and roundhouse kicks.  They didn't cripple me or feel painful.  Indoor Water Park this weekend for my eldest birthday WILL cripple me though.  Monday morning I have my doctor appointment for my MRI follow up.  Hoping for good things!

[JediNickD]

World 3 Level 11 Challenge GRADES:

FITNESS:

• Cardio: Speed and Stamina - 240 min total, 60 weekly. 

  DEX +1, STA +1  A = 330 min, weekly met
  My leg and back are feeling good.  Being back in the gym last week was great.  Just gotta keep it medium impact.  It is warming up outside just at the right time to get in some runs. 
   

• Exercise: Lifting and Bodyweight - 320 min total, 80 weekly. 

  STR +1  A = 370 min, weekly met
  I'm a push up and pull up machine.  Leg exercises are working in ok, but I need more variety for my arms and core to keep it interesting. 
   

• Flexibility: Stretching and Physical Therapy - 480 min total, 120 weekly. 

  STR +1, DEX +1  A = 680 min, weekly met
  I worked hard at the therapy and stretching. 
   

• Karate: Training and Practice - 720 min total, 150 weekly. 
  STR +1, DEX +1, STA +1  A = 880 min, weekly met
   

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, especially.  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 +3  A = 148.8 lbs min, 27 healthy meals, 28 small lunch portions, 20 nights fasting.

LIFE:

• Get Stuff Done - Complete (or dedicate at least one hour to) 300 Tasks or Projects, with at least 75 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 (24), Reading (16), Church Work (8), Job Work (20), Business Projects (12), Dishes (20), Laundry (16), Cleaning/Dusting/Vacuuming (24), Other Chores (24), Yard Work (8), Animal Care (60), Home Renovation (6), Auto Maintenance (6), Family Activities (12), Adventuring (6).   
  WIS +2, CHA +2  A = 350 tasks, weekly met

 

INCENTIVES!  Working hard for CASH!  ($44 carried over, Spent $18, Earned $24 in Week 0) 

$44 - $18 + $24 + $40 + $35 + $12 + $4 + $28 + $6 + $6 + $36 - $10 = $207 to Carry Over

REWARD 1:  For each week I complete 80 or more tasks, I will put aside $10 to spend how I see fit. 
CONSEQUENCE 1:  For any week where I complete less than 75 tasks, I will give up $10 of saved cash.

$10 * 4 = $40

 

REWARD 2:  $5 for each Business Project hour:

• write/plan/record a 2018 Extra Life Kickoff Video
• get involved in Extra Life Baltimore Guild (missed kick-off meeting and will miss Cecil Con)
• revisit Wizard Laser Tag (look into Recoil game app and tech) for Epic Nerd Camp
• draw up plan for Jedi website
• VHS-to-DVD conversion

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

$5 * 7 = $35

 

REWARD 3:  $1 for each hour working on Jedi Training lessons.  $10 for each completed IJRS lesson.  Need to get back to the formal training at IJRS.
CONSEQUENCE 3: Lose $5 for each week without working on a Jedi Training lesson.

$1 * 12 = $12

 

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

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

$1 * 20 - $2 * 8 = $4

 

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

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

$1 * 28 = $28

BONUSES: 

  Life:

• $2 for healthy grocery shopping  $2 * 3 = $6
• $2 for healthy meal prep  $2 * 3 = $6
• $2 for each Home Renovation and Auto Maintenance task.  $2 * (9 + 9) = $36

  Workout:

• $5 for biking more than 20 min

 

PUNISHMENT:

• Lose $10 each day with weight above 151.5 lbs.   -$10 * 1 = -$10