In Their Majesties’ Service [Chris-Tien]

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Last challenge saw a rather substantial advancement in rank and responsibility.  

 

While on pilgrimage to Rome, the Crown of Northshield confirmed me in my office of Seneschal of Nordleigh - a small canton south of the great Barony of Nordskogen, and beholden to the self-same Baron and Baroness.  A small and poor frontier territory, with barely enough people to even grant it status as a canton, Nordleigh historically had supported the great colleges of that region, but those seats of higher learned have turned their backs on the people, preferring to stay safe within their own walls.  The majority of the officers have fled to the more civilized lands in the Barony proper, while I hold out down in the border lands. It will be interesting …..

 

 

Upon returning home, I also learned that their Dread Stellar Majesties had elevated me to the ranks of the (minor) nobility.  I was too ill to attend the minor Court at Lupercalia (having invested quite a lot of time and money to go to the big Twelfth Night Festival); so I have not received my circlet and scroll, but word has reached me, and I will try to meet up with the Prince and Princess in a couple of weeks.  

 

So, I am ennobled and charged with keeping these lands safe …. And perhaps making them grow and prosper over the next few months.  But how???

 

First, days will be long and busy as Spring returns to these lands.  So, my first order of business each day will be a good breakfast!!! I figure if I start the day out with a clean (Whole 30 or Paleo) breakfast, I set myself up for more healthy eating throughout the day.  And I start building good habits that will carry me through living alone if I get a new job ... down on the plains of another Kingdom .... but let's not get ahead of ourselves.  

 

As a Forester, I need to be ready to outrun the bandits that inhabit our woods.  So, I will continue to run 3 times per week, according my my plan.  I need to be ready to run 5K for the Zombies Run Virtual Race on April 19th.  

 

Archery practice is required weekly, and another strength training session of any kind will happen each week as well.  I went out to the range, and people have been practicing already.  I was glad to have 4-wheel drive in order to deal with the soft roads and parking lot, however.  

 

And, in my new role, I need to defend this territory from invaders.  I’ve decided that Ingress will get me out of the house and walking marginally long distances.  As a challenge, I will keep all of the portals north of Greenvale Avenue and south of the woods in Resistance hands by going out daily to capture or reinforce them.  They tend to get captured on weekends, but our team has been very lax in playing the game (I blame Pokemon); and I have a lot of work to do!!!

 

Finally, following up on my pilgrimage, I will do devotions each morning.  I am reading the Rule of St. Benedict with commentary, followed by prayer or other reading as the spirit moves me.  

 

I am also going to up the ante this time and track ---- with a reward.  

If I get 70%, I get one additional item for my SCA garb collection

If I get 80%, I get TWO

If I get 90%, I get THREE

If I get 95%, I get FOUR

 

 

[Elastigirl]

Fun challenge.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following.

[TGP]

I still think my avatar personality clash'es with your lawbringing habits 

 

but I have to admit it; its a most impressive program, my lady.  you shalt surely be a formidable foe to bandits throughout your kingdom. and how can I deny the virtues of a prosperous spring and a just rule?

 

for myself; I am engaged in overcoming tyranny and perhaps when I have I will make peace with your people.  

 

[annyshay]

Pokemon shaming aye?

 

Long may you reign, milady!

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

5 hours ago, annyshay said:

Pokemon shaming aye?

 

With the new Pokemon critters added to the game, I think my daughter is playing again, but the majority of times I encounter anyone at a portal/Pokestop, they are playing Pokemon.   I actually enjoy playing it with my daughter .... but alone, it is too hard to take down the gyms now.  

 

On 3/17/2018 at 6:06 AM, TGP said:

I still think my avatar personality clash'es with your lawbringing habits 

 

but I have to admit it; its a most impressive program, my lady.  you shalt surely be a formidable foe to bandits throughout your kingdom. and how can I deny the virtues of a prosperous spring and a just rule?

 

for myself; I am engaged in overcoming tyranny and perhaps when I have I will make peace with your people.  

 

 

Well, if you stay off the roads and stick to catching rabbits, I might not notice you ....   

[SkyGirl]

What an excellent challenge!!

 

Following along!

 

 

[Tzippi Longstockings]

VIVAT!

 

I need to make some garb this challenge.  

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

4 hours ago, Tzippi Longstockings said:

I need to make some garb this challenge

 

Garb is a potential black hole in terms of time and money. Do you do SCA or cosplay or ??

 

I'm hoping to get to a point - SOON - where I feel sufficiently dressed for most events, but especially archery tournaments.  Some of our SCA members make awesome, gorgeous costumes that must cost thousands of dollars .... and that's before talking about armor and weapons and glamping.  But I'm more the minimalist ranger who doesn't want to have to rent the modern equivalent of a team of pack mules in order to spend a weekend away from the manor.  

[Tzippi Longstockings]

1 hour ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

 

Garb is a potential black hole in terms of time and money. Do you do SCA or cosplay or ??

 

I'm hoping to get to a point - SOON - where I feel sufficiently dressed for most events, but especially archery tournaments.  Some of our SCA members make awesome, gorgeous costumes that must cost thousands of dollars .... and that's before talking about armor and weapons and glamping.  But I'm more the minimalist ranger who doesn't want to have to rent the modern equivalent of a team of pack mules in order to spend a weekend away from the manor.  

 

SCA (ARTEMISIA!). I also want to get more belly dance costume pieces done, but I'm concentrating on garb right now.

 

I know what you mean - I don't feel yet like I can pack up for an event longer than two days and have clothes enough that fit (adding to that, right now I need nursing-friendly garb, so I'm wearing apron-dresses and Roman, even though my persona is theoretically early 16th c Spanish/Sephardic. I want to get my Ottoman kit together, but that runs into YARDAGE, and I can't afford big linen purchases right now. Even cotton. Until I pay off my son's birth, I have to make do with stash.

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

10 hours ago, Tzippi Longstockings said:

SCA (ARTEMISIA!)

 

I'm in Northshield.  I'm not going to complain about distances traveled for events and meetings.  I don't know how you guys in the west do it!!!

 

I've been mainly sticking to English 11th and 12th century ... and not (up until this month) noble; so I don't need to buy too much fabric for any one piece of clothing.  But I still look for bargains on linen when I can.  The Ottoman clothing ... you must buy it in bolts!!! Lovely, but wow!!!

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Reporting in ....

 

I've been kinda in a funk, waiting to hear about the possible job.  At first, I was very optimistic.  Now, after a couple of weeks of silence, I'm beginning to think that I'm not getting a job offer and need to start thinking about what AM I going to do with the rest of my life???

 

But, in the meantime .....

 

Upgrading Breakfast

The early part of the week was rough.  I think I had some low-grade bug that made my sinuses either plug up (and HURT!) or drain like mad, and I didn't really want to eat anything even though I was hungry.  So, I toasted bagels for breakfast Sunday through Tuesday.  

 

Starting Wednesday, I've been making eggs with bacon .... so at least I'm not doing sweets or carbs at breakfast.  More paleo than Whole 30, but I'm counting this as progress.  

 

Workouts??

Actually, given my sinus condition, I'm happy to report that  I've been keeping up with workouts.

  

Hubby wanted to get a walk on the treadmill Sunday (since sidewalks and roads are still often an icy mess here); so I ran a couple of miles while he walked.  I need to get started on running outside again, but the roads and sidewalks are such a mess that I don't want to risk slipping or turning an ankle.  Spring in Minnesota .....

 

For the mini-challenge, I decided to do yoga at the YMCA, and the Wednesday session was a new format.  "Slow flow" yoga is HARD WORK!!!  This morning, I'm as sore as I was after lifting weights; so I'm counting it as strength training as well as a good stretch.  

 

Since I'm enjoying yoga so much (but I tend to get sick whenever I've been to the Y's fitness classes), I decided to buy my own yoga mat.  I love the Y, but it's a germ factory as far as I can tell.  I wash my hands and the equipment as much as possible, but there are so many crevices in things like the mats and the barbells that I can't eradicate every virus and bacterium.  I'll keep going .... but I'm also working hard at minimizing my exposure to diseases.  

 

Ingress - yeap.  It's been a good excuse to go for walks during the day, and I've turned my neighborhood blue!!  I can't wait to get out the bike so that I can pedal to some of the more remote portals (1.5 to 2 miles away) that are JUST a bit too far for a casual walk.  

 

Devotions

Morning devotions - been doing them.  I love Joan Chittister's commentary on the Rule of St. Benedict.  Since the Rule was written before the Reformation, it really applies to all Christians.  And St. Benedict was a very moderate monastic.  The daily readings are a gentle reminder to work at living the faith in everything, every day.  

 

Oddly, the past few days have been about meals - when to eat and what - and that has coincided with Steve's email in which he talks about not eating breakfast or snacks.  Other than fast days, Steve's schedule sounds a lot like the monastic meal schedule.  I really didn't have a problem with my weight until I started giving in to advice that said that breakfast was essential .... and that people should eat 6 small meals a day.  NOW, these are habits that I'll have to reverse, but I'm seriously considering making that re-adjustment part of the next challenge.  

[SkyGirl]

9 hours ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

"Slow flow" yoga is HARD WORK!!!

 

It IS, isn't it?? I am overcome with dread every time Adriene eases slowly down into Warrior 2 pose and I know I'm going to be there a while ... 

 

I'm so sorry you haven't heard back on your job and I'm sorry you've been sick! I hope you feel better AND hear back from them very very soon!

[annyshay]

22 hours ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

Hubby wanted to get a walk on the treadmill Sunday (since sidewalks and roads are still often an icy mess here); so I ran a couple of miles while he walked.  I need to get started on running outside again, but the roads and sidewalks are such a mess that I don't want to risk slipping or turning an ankle.  Spring in Minnesota .....

This struggle is so real.

 

Hope your cold/sinus stuff takes a hike!

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

On 3/23/2018 at 7:28 AM, annyshay said:

Hope your cold/sinus stuff takes a hike!

 

Thanks!!!!  And I love your new avatar!

 

It's good news/bad news time.  I got the visiting professorship!!!!  Which means that hubby and I will be managing the long-distance relationship for 3 years, starting in August.  Although, this time, there's only 4 hours between us, and I will be living in the same city as my daughter and son-in-law (and grandpuppy).   It's going to be stressful, but I am also trying to adjust my thinking and look on this as a time when I can really work to re-create good exercise and eating habits.  

 

Report on the first week of the challenge:

Actually, everything went 100% great .... except for breakfasts.  I usually have not been feeling well first thing in the morning.  Too much snow mold .... or something ..... has been bothering my sinuses, and I wake up feeling just headachy and bleh.  I'm usually hungry-ish at around breakfast time, and eating helps me feel better, but the energy to make something more nutritious than a bagel with margarine has been lacking.  

 

Overall, I'm at 85% success at the end of week one.  So .... not bad.  I just need to figure out how to make a better breakfast --- or pre-prep before bed.  

 

 

[Sloth the Enduring]

Congratulations on the new job. What college are you going to be at?

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Congrats professor!

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

On 3/25/2018 at 12:45 PM, Sloth the Enduring said:

Congratulations on the new job. What college are you going to be at?

 

I'll be at Grinnell College in Grinnell, IA in the Computer Science Department.  I'm still having trouble believing it.

 

The summer's challenges will be focused on pulling together a binder full of paleo (whole 30?) recipes that I can cook quickly and for one person.  And if I get into the new apartment complex, there is a gym right on site.  If not, there is an Anytime Fitness as well as the college's fitness center.  So, getting in workouts shouldn't be too much of a problem.  But, I'll be working on setting up good habits ..... and then hanging on to them for dear life once the semester starts.  

 

So far, this week is going well.  I made eggs and bacon for breakfast Sunday and Monday, and I had a veggie frittata wedge this morning .... although I also warmed up a left-over biscuit from Sunday dinner, which sorta violates my loose plan to avoid carbs at breakfast.   I think I'm going to need to do some night before management if I'm going to eat a good breakfast each day.  

 

[Elastigirl]

Congrats on the job! Great idea to get together some recipes

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

20 minutes ago, Elastigirl said:

Congrats on the job! Great idea to get together some recipes

 

And I will welcome any favorites that people have to share!  

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

 

Although the contract hasn't been signed, I've started getting my mind wrapped around the move and new job, starting to clean out stuff and organize what will go down to Iowa with me for a few years.  Surprising how much unwanted stuff keeps moving with us from house to house, eventhough it always feels like I donated a ton of things LAST time we did this .....

 

Today is errand and Rotary meeting day.  I have to drive up to the Twin Cities (Eagan) to sign a signature card for the SCA group, which will eat up 2+ hours.  The saving grace is that I have some good Audible books to "read" during the trip.  But it's one of those chores that just reminds me that I'm now a lame duck Seneschal.  I have a couple of small events to organize in April and May, but then I hope the group can scrounge up a replacement for me.  I can't manage this from 4 hours away.

 

This will give my muscles a break.  Tuesday was a very ambitious Zumba class.  Wednesday was Slow Flow Yoga, which is isometric strength training in disguise, as well as a 1.5 mile run.  I'm plenty stiff this morning .... in a good  way .... but I think it will be a good day to WALK and work out the stiffness gently.  

 

For today's topic, if anyone stops by ....

 

I think InstaPots and their like are a waste of money.  Convince me I'm wrong.

 

[Elastigirl]

3 hours ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

I think InstaPots and their like are a waste of money.  Convince me I'm wrong.

 

Funny, you were reading my mind. I was thinking of recommending that you get an instapot I'm going to , but haven't yet. You could get a little one,since it's just you. They can cook frozen chicken in 10 minutes. When you get home from work and you are tired and want to bail and order take out, you could have dinner in 30 minutes. Or prep it before hand super quick. Also you can cook all your food in one pot, which makes for easy clean up. And you can tell your students you have an instapot, and your hipness quotient will rise.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

10 hours ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

I think InstaPots and their like are a waste of money.  Convince me I'm wrong.

 

The InstaPot's utility comes in when you consider speediness. I can cook a 5lb pork roast in 90 minutes of cook time (two hours when you factor in warm up and cool down) as opposed to all day in a slow-cooker. FWIW I haven't used a slow cooker since I got an instapot.

[SkyGirl]

12 hours ago, Chris-Tien Jinn said:

I've started getting my mind wrapped around the move and new job

 

Oh goodness, did I know you got the job?? If I did, I forgot!! Congratulations!        That's so exciting!!

[Chris-Tien Jinn]

Well, I've had the verbal offer for the position of visiting professor, but I haven't gotten the contract yet.  While I know that only about 1 or 2% offers fall through before they are completed, I am still a bit leery about celebrating or doing serious planning until I get the signed document.  

 

I've moved many times in the past 13 years, and I'm ambivalent about the move to Iowa.  

 

On one hand, it is a chance to reset my lifestyle and surroundings.  I can create a supportive Batcave (or Team Arrow lair) - especially the kitchen!!!  I don't have to see bagels whenever I open the fridge ... or chocolate chips in the cupboard.  I could simply not come home for a whole month and do a Whole 30 without hubby "forgetting" to read the ingredients and cooking supper with MSG or gluten.  

 

On the other hand, I don't like to live alone.  I'm already looking into white noise machines and non-medical sleep aids (like lavender) because I know I will have trouble sleeping for a (long) while.  And while hubby won't be there, the bad habits from 33 years of marriage will be.  I've rubbed off on him, and he's lost weight over the years.  But he's definitely rubbed off on me too.  I was never a snack-eater, for instance, but his doctors convinced him, as a pre-diabetic, that he needed to eat 6 meals or snacks per day (!), and I started following suit.  

 

I think this will be a good move, and that it will give me the opportunity to make changes that I need to make for my health (and shrink my fluffy appearance ... thanks, @Elastigirl, for the term) and self-esteem.  But, it's going to be a challenge.  And it's a bit scary to take responsibility for myself again.  There will be no one to blame if less-healthy foods show up in my kitchen - it will just be because I bought them and not because hubby knows I've purchased it in the past and might want to have it now.  I get to be an adult again and responsible for my environment. 

 

 

It's a bit scary ....  And it is going to be stressful at times, and eating has often been my stress relief.  (I am so screwed ....)

 

Plus, it is a bit odd.  When I tell people that I might be moving for a job, they always are puzzled --- and frankly skeptical --- that we are going to be doing the long-distance relationship thing for years.  It just seems to be so far out of anyone's experience that they can't imagine it succeeding.  Which then also makes me wonder if this is as crazy as it sounds ....