Starpuck: Anime'zing Return

[starpuck]

A very busy April through May made challenging, and even hanging out here with any regularity or focus, a pretty daunting task.    So I sort of loosely hung out, updating my own thread just to keep somewhat in the habit- but otherwise fell off the NF boat!     But I think I am ready to return.   There's nothing too out of the ordinary planned until mid to end of July so I think I can get back into a good routine.   Which actually - is not to say that my past weeks have been terrible.  I weighed 5lbs on Thursday of last week, than I did on the Friday before my vacation started in April.  And I did this without tracking cals in or out, just getting outside to walk and run whenever I could, and eating normal work foods and snacks and not pigging out when I ate out.   So I think I am kinda doing the Intuitive Eating thing (though I never did finish the book and at this point, can't really see myself cranking out the last 80 pages or so.)

 

Anyway!   ON TO NEW AND BRIGHTER THINGS!     I just finished Acen weekend, so my anime mood is very high!  But my D&D floon never leaves.    However, it is also summer-ish and so ALL OF TEH OUTSIDE GLORIOUSNESS!

 

First ... a message from our sponsor, the 3 H's of Full Metal Alchemist.  Hohenheim, Hughes and Hawkeye.

 

So yeah that turned out awesome and fun!    One of my all time favorite characters from one of only a handful of anime's that have earned a 10/10 rating from me!

 

Now onto what the heck we're doing here this challenge.  

 

Step 1)  Do the Challenge!

               * Like, make up some goals.   Track the goals.  Show up and post about it.   And follow your herd!

 

Step 2)  Do things that make you gooder!

               * Don't stress about perfection.  Do the little things every day that add up.

 

Step 3)  Profit.

 

 

Goal #1  Exercise and Body Goodness

I love the feeling I have when I am not being a lazy poof.   The trouble is, I am not super good at talking myself up and into action, when the poofness has hit ultra levels.

 

Basically, suns out guns out is quite accurate for me, and I am often motivated to get outside, walk, run, bike, do something!    But when it rains or is cold and cloudy?

 

So Goal #1 is to NOT be like Mustang on a rainy day.   Be like Hawkeye.

 

My strength training has really slacked off - to the point that I am going to have to start from scratch.     Rather than do the things I was doing and likely feel terrible about lost progress... AND because I will want to be able to be outside in the sun even if it's a "strength day" - I am going to get into some full on body weight, calisthenics, yoga, etc training for my strength.     That's where you peeps come in.   I need some suggestions on what where who and why.

 

Overall Goal:  5x a week, do stuff.   Be move-y, bend-y, lift-y, pull-y, push-y.  Just get out there, with intention and do things that keep the body in a state of progressing, rather than regressing.

 

 

Goal #2  Food are friends, not fish.   Wait... what?

 

Keep up with the UN-war on food.   I've been doing really well with just being a person who eats because that's what persons do, and not going bonkers.    I still have the places and times and moments that are super hurdles.  (Do not bring Jewel brand soft baked cookies near me.  Just.. don't.)       There's not a great way to track this because as soon as you start reporting in with any detail on what you did or didn't eat... well you're back to treating food like a THINGUS, instead of just a thing.     So this goal is more just me admitting up front, that I am working on this, and the updates likely won't be more than 'Food was on fleek'  or 'Had a hang up at this moment, will adjust next time by <insert ideas>.'

 

 

 

Goal #3  Keep learning.  Never stop playing.   Be silly.

Art and D&D and other avenues of creativity and brain happy activities.     Do them.   As often as you can, and want to.   But don't force them past the healthy level of routine building insistence.  

I am really still enjoying art, and want to continue to get better.   I've gotten and have always been, lazy in regard to taking next steps on educating myself in this.    I mean, Raxie loves to dance, and can do a lot of dancing on her own, and she's glorious at it ... but she seeks lessons and instruction to improve her technique- which will allow her to be better even still on her own!     So I need to start poking at resources that will REALLY REALLY show me how to do what I'd like to do.   That might even involve finding a class at a community college, or an online course that I ACTUALLY SIT THROUGH AND DO!

 

• Art 4x a week - because that's not a crazy goal, and because sometimes I can talk myself out of it easily, even if I would super enjoy it once I settle down.       If I absolutely have a brain day that sucks, and feel no creative juice... don't force it.
• D&D prep will be a thing to, but more of an: Eh, when the ideas strike roll with it.  But don't over burden yourself with prep so that it becomes unfun.
• Reading.  Do it.  You have come to really enjoy it.  Don't fall out of this new habit.

 

Goal #4  Get super serious about Finances.  Goal : Become a Home Owner

This is terrifying and exciting.  But the thing I can do right now, that won't induce stress comas, is get the finances into a pseudo mortgage situation and see what becomes feasible livable and where my monies are going.

This task will have side tasks that are mostly one and done, but will be tracked here. 

Basically... get ready to jump the nest.

Hopefully, less dramatically than this.  ^

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Glad to see you settling back into routine. You may have just inspired the next battlespeech. 

38 minutes ago, Starpuck said:

Keep up with the UN-war on food.   I've been doing really well with just being a person who eats because that's what persons do, and not going bonkers.    I still have the places and times and moments that are super hurdles.  (Do not bring Jewel brand soft baked cookies near me.  Just.. don't.)       There's not a great way to track this because as soon as you start reporting in with any detail on what you did or didn't eat... well you're back to treating food like a THINGUS, instead of just a thing.     So this goal is more just me admitting up front, that I am working on this, and the updates likely won't be more than 'Food was on fleek'  or 'Had a hang up at this moment, will adjust next time by <insert ideas>.'

Saturday I had a conversation wherein I said "I want to keep eating but I'm FULL."

I stopped eating. Keep listening to your body, you'll get there.

38 minutes ago, Starpuck said:

This is terrifying and exciting.  But the thing I can do right now, that won't induce stress comas, is get the finances into a pseudo mortgage situation and see what becomes feasible livable and where my monies are going.

This task will have side tasks that are mostly one and done, but will be tracked here. 

Basically... get ready to jump the nest.

That's a great step to take control of what you can in that situation. Well done.

[Elastigirl]

I love your goal of taking art lessons! Bodyweight- We are doing a crow pVp right now- you could join us, and there is also a miserable yoga pvp going on

https://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/index.php?/topic/108187-crow-pvp-may-21-to-june-18/

 

Pullups and pushups are  always good to work on. A lot of people like the workouts at Darebee. I do GMB programs, but those cost money (I think they are worth it though)

 

[starpuck]

Got some ducks in a row today.   I looked up Darebee (Thanks @Elastigirl!) and think that this will be just about perfect for me right now.   I chose the 30 Days of Strength since pull ups are a favorite of mine and I need to get serious about getting them back.   

 

 

Also - I've been having some issues with my StupidToe™ [the foot/toe that has had three surgeries, no longer bends much at all, etc.] in that it has been starting to hurt even just sitting around on occasion.  I think walking the con in not good shoes that were also too big was the catalyst to this new flare up of more pronounced pain- and at church on Sunday the thing crack-snapped out of nowhere so violently that I gasp-jumped mid sermon.   It felt very much like when the tendon ruptured 6 years ago, but thankfully, I could still lift the big ole piggy.    Due to this, and TL;DR - I am going to lay off the running until the toe returns to normal levels of blehness.   Walking and biking are still on tap for outside fresh air goodness and sweat.

 

 

Spent a few hours last night on a special art project that I should finish up tonight and can post later.  Very excited about this even if I wish I could have executed the actual art part of it better.

 

Also on agenda; some D&D time and finish watching Critital Role.  EARLY TO BED TODAY!

 

[Elastigirl]

Do you have Kelly Starrett's book Deskbound? I find doing the foot exercises from there really good when my toes are sore.  Bascially, stand on a lacrosse ball and slowly move it undr your feet. After that, sit down and use your finger to separate your toes, and move them around. 

[Cheetah]

I've never seen Fullmetal Alchemist.  I'll have to put it on my list.  :-)

 

Happy Challenge!

[starpuck]

So, I super busted butt today after work.

 

• Came home, cut the lawn.
• Started washing my sheets and blankets.
• Ate dinner.  Cleaned up dinner.
• Completely rearranged my room and super dusted/swept.
• Finished the pic of my bestie and I, while watching Talks Machina.
• Now it's 10:15 and I am going to play 45 minutes of a game and then go to sleep.

 

Here's the pic I used as reference and the final product.

 

 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Great depiction of you and your bestie. I've noticed in photo's of you recently your smiles are bigger.

[SkyGirl]

On 5/21/2018 at 6:00 PM, Starpuck said:

I love the feeling I have when I am not being a lazy poof.   The trouble is, I am not super good at talking myself up and into action, when the poofness has hit ultra levels.

 

Oh man, do I ever resonate with this. SO much this.

 

On 5/21/2018 at 6:00 PM, Starpuck said:

My strength training has really slacked off - to the point that I am going to have to start from scratch.

 

Me too. Don't feel bad. We did it once, and we're awesome and we can do it again.

 

On 5/21/2018 at 6:00 PM, Starpuck said:

I've been doing really well with just being a person who eats because that's what persons do, and not going bonkers.

 

I love this!!

 

On 5/21/2018 at 6:00 PM, Starpuck said:

Basically... get ready to jump the nest.

 

Meeeep, this is so exciting!!! I'm so proud of you and excited for you!! 

 

2 hours ago, Starpuck said:

Here's the pic I used as reference and the final product

 

You are such a good artist!!

[starpuck]

20 hours ago, Elastigirl said:

Do you have Kelly Starrett's book Deskbound? I find doing the foot exercises from there really good when my toes are sore.  Bascially, stand on a lacrosse ball and slowly move it undr your feet. After that, sit down and use your finger to separate your toes, and move them around. 

Hmm, I could look into it a bit.   Mostly my one toe is just a mess from a botched surgery years ago.  >.<   It was a real avalanche of issues.  3 surgeries in 3 consecutive years.     I've been taking it easy and rubbing Traumeel on it and so far it's been feeling a bit better.

 

10 hours ago, Cheetah said:

I've never seen Fullmetal Alchemist.  I'll have to put it on my list.  :-)

Happy Challenge!

Oh gosh oh gosh oh gosh, yes.  Now, here's the thing there are two versions (both with same 'story' and voice actors) but they diverge quickly and weirdly.   I would recommend Fullmetal Alchemist : BROTHERHOOD for you to hit first.   It's so so so well done.   Seriously one of my total favorites!

 

And yes, happy challenge.  We've got this!

 

10 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Great depiction of you and your bestie. I've noticed in photo's of you recently your smiles are bigger.

They are?  Hmm.   I hadn't noticed.   That one is an older photo, but all the trip ones are newer... I think maybe more self confidence might be the thing!

 

8 hours ago, SkyGirl said:

 

Oh man, do I ever resonate with this. SO much this.

Me too. Don't feel bad. We did it once, and we're awesome and we can do it again.

I love this!!

Meeeep, this is so exciting!!! I'm so proud of you and excited for you!!

You are such a good artist!!

It's been cloudy for 5 days!   I kept finding reasons to not get up and move.  But last night, I cut the grass- which fueled me, to then do all that other stuff.  Must remember it takes just 5 minutes of DOING to start to de-floof.   And yup today is strength day.  Taking my band to the park to soak up the sun, and will try out the first Darebee!    I am certainly enjoying the art journey - but I am ready to really find some better ways to keep the improvement curve going.   Off to google foo!

 

[Elastigirl]

1 hour ago, Starpuck said:

Traumeel

I have not heard of this magic. What is it?

 

On ‎5‎/‎21‎/‎2018 at 2:16 PM, jstanlick said:

That's the thing. I've tested enough now that I know when they are going to be higher or lower based on how my day has gone or what time in the day it is. And, the numbers I have been taking are consistent with that knowledge. However, I got a bit obsessive about it before. So, testing less will be good for my mental state in the long run. I just need to overcome the anxiety in the short term. So, for now, I'm trying to force myself to only check 1 time a day link the doc said. Because, knowing me, if I let myself check extra times, I'll go back to over doing it. Same thing with eating. When I allow myself some flexibility like the literature says I should be able to have, I go overboard. I seem to do better with just sticking to a more black and white approach to things. It becomes a habit more that way and its easier.

 

[Cheetah]

3 hours ago, Starpuck said:

BROTHERHOOD

 

Would you say this is kid-friendly?  I'm thinking about introducing my children to the world of anime while they're on summer break, and I'm looking for shows we can watch.  They watch Pokemon but I don't think it counts and the only other title I've got so far is Dragonball Z.

[starpuck]

19 minutes ago, Cheetah said:

 

Would you say this is kid-friendly?  I'm thinking about introducing my children to the world of anime while they're on summer break, and I'm looking for shows we can watch.  They watch Pokemon but I don't think it counts and the only other title I've got so far is Dragonball Z.

 

Hmm.   Depends on the age I think.      There are fights and blood, but it's not GORY.    There is a lot of emotion in some scenes, and death is not skirted in this anime.   I'd say, along the same lines of intensity /death etc as the first Avengers movie maybe?

 

[Cheetah]

16 minutes ago, Starpuck said:

 

Hmm.   Depends on the age I think.      There are fights and blood, but it's not GORY.    There is a lot of emotion in some scenes, and death is not skirted in this anime.   I'd say, along the same lines of intensity /death etc as the first Avengers movie maybe?

 

 

Cool beans.  I'll probably just watch that one myself.  You know, in my spare time.  Which I have none of.  :-)

[Nymeria]

Nice cosplay!  You guys look amazing!  Someday, I still want to get my family to do a FMA cosplay.  My husband could easily be Mustang, I'd be Izumi, my son would be (chibi) Edward Elric, and I haven't figured out who my daughter would be.

1 hour ago, Cheetah said:

 

Would you say this is kid-friendly?  I'm thinking about introducing my children to the world of anime while they're on summer break, and I'm looking for shows we can watch.  They watch Pokemon but I don't think it counts and the only other title I've got so far is Dragonball Z.

 

How old are your kids?  I would consider FMA to be in the realm of PG-13 in terms of theme, violence, etc.  My 10 year old has been great with a bunch of PG 13 movies this year, but I'm still kind of hesitant on FMA, just due to the heaviness of the plot.  

[Cheetah]

3 minutes ago, Nymeria said:

 

 

How old are your kids?  I would consider FMA to be in the realm of PG-13 in terms of theme, violence, etc.  My 10 year old has been great with a bunch of PG 13 movies this year, but I'm still kind of hesitant on FMA, just due to the heaviness of the plot.  

 

They are 6 and 10.  I might actually not do DBZ with them.  I only ever saw a few episodes, but I googled it up just now and it might be slightly too violent for the younger one.  So I'll keep looking around.  I really need to just spend an hour with Anime Planet and see what I can come up with.

[Raxie]

Awww love the drawing of you and your friend!  And also that cosplay looks so fun!!!

 

On ‎5‎/‎21‎/‎2018 at 6:00 PM, Starpuck said:

Step 1)  Do the Challenge!

               * Like, make up some goals.   Track the goals.  Show up and post about it.   And follow your herd!

 

Step 2)  Do things that make you gooder!

               * Don't stress about perfection.  Do the little things every day that add up.

 

Step 3)  Profit.

 

So this is basically actually my current challenge hahaha

 

Still trying to figure out the profit part.

[starpuck]

Week Zero is ... zero-ing in on new challenge.

 

And the allergies are kicking my eyes!  

 

I've been doing pretty well on moving and doing body-active stuff.  Got a nice 9 mile bike ride in on my lunch yesterday, but not I have the 'my butt isn't used to bike seats- weird ass butt bone muscle doms?'    Ya know.. how you get saddle sore the first one or two rides of the year, but by end of summer, your butt has calluses and so it no longer bothers it?

 

I will probably do interval run/walks today to rest the butt-bones.   Then after work it is cutting the lawn and then having a delicious salad with the left over maple glazed salmon.  Oh yes.

 

Art hasn't happened since Tuesday night because of D&D and D&D prep.   I am adding a 5th player to my game.   This makes me an official GM now I think!   I need to update my resume, and maybe get a badge.

 

 

Super excited for the long weekend!    But I also need to really come up with a good BuJo layout and get it ready BEFORE Sunday, so that I don't slack off on week one proper because I am coming down from Holiday Weekend foo.

 

Hmm, almost lunch time.  Gotta change into SuperPuck gear and get out!   I WILL post an update over the weekend!  If I don't... you people come after me!

[chickie.monkey]

On 5/21/2018 at 5:00 PM, Starpuck said:

My strength training has really slacked off - to the point that I am going to have to start from scratch.     Rather than do the things I was doing and likely feel terrible about lost progress... AND because I will want to be able to be outside in the sun even if it's a "strength day" - I am going to get into some full on body weight, calisthenics, yoga, etc training for my strength.     That's where you peeps come in.   I need some suggestions on what where who and why.

This is funny because I drove by a park with the most amazing playground for a "playground workout" and I immediately thought of you and all the awesome playground workouts you used to do. That being said, my suggestion is playground workouts.   

 

Lazy poofness grabs hold of me and I have the hardest time getting free. I'm actually in the grasps right now and trying to free myself up for the start of the challenge. So far poof is winning.

[Elastigirl]

On ‎5‎/‎25‎/‎2018 at 9:56 AM, Starpuck said:

nd the allergies are kicking my eyes!  

 

Agghh. I hate that feeling where my eyes itch and I want to rub them, only I know that just makes it worse. We have cottonwood blooming right now, and that makes my eyes kinda crazy.

[Hammlin]

Following for all the awesomeness! Intuitive eating is so zen!!!

[starpuck]

On 5/27/2018 at 7:13 PM, chickie.monkey said:

This is funny because I drove by a park with the most amazing playground for a "playground workout" and I immediately thought of you and all the awesome playground workouts you used to do. That being said, my suggestion is playground workouts.   

 

Lazy poofness grabs hold of me and I have the hardest time getting free. I'm actually in the grasps right now and trying to free myself up for the start of the challenge. So far poof is winning.

 

I actually hit a playground last week Thursday?   I was like 'omg I can't monkey bar right now!'    I know I will get it back, and lately, I've been choosing outside fun over inside weights.   Summers are short in Chi-ville.   I need to enjoy them when I can.  There are month and months of winter for strength training when it comes down to it.    I have been combatting my poofness by saying '5 minutes' of a non poof activity.  If I still feel terribly poof, I can stop.  Most of the time, even just 5 minutes feels so good the poof dies down a bit.

 

On 5/27/2018 at 9:01 PM, Elastigirl said:

Agghh. I hate that feeling where my eyes itch and I want to rub them, only I know that just makes it worse. We have cottonwood blooming right now, and that makes my eyes kinda crazy.

 

Yeah.    Our weather channel app has been putting up weather alerts, for 'air quality concerns'  Yaaay!  >.<     It also hit 97 this weekend.  Ummmm, that's for like July ... can we have the whole May flowers thing?     Hahah.  

 

 

7 hours ago, Hammlin said:

Following for all the awesomeness! Intuitive eating is so zen!!!

 

Woooo yesssss Hammlin.   ARRRROOOO!  Yeaaah.    

 

So that whole thing where I said 'Oh yeah I will totally check in on the weekend.... woops.   But but such good reason for no check in.    Let's see if I can super fast recap.

 

Friday came home from work and:

Cut grass

Had salmon, pasta salad and fresh cut zucchini dipped in Olive Garden dressing, nom.

Went to friends house to watch the newest My Hero Academia an Darling in the Franxx episodes.

Played some Don't Starve

Came home and Slept

 

Saturday, silly friend chose indoor movie over outside awesome, so I awesomed myself!!:

McDs and Coffee (but just one burrito go me).

Jewel for a 6 pack of Apricot Wheat Blue Moon and Yard Waste Bags

Got home and edged the entire yard - swept, shoveled and bagged the clippings.

Weed whacked.

Weeded gardens area.

Friend came over to help then, but said he was sick-ish with a cold.

Went to Home Depot, picked up 8 bags of mulch and 5 flowers for garden.

Came home and loaded winter shovels into the garage attic.  (This involved closing ourselves INTO the garage, and getting up into the heated roof area, when it was 95 degrees and humid as hell!)  INSTA SWEAT.

Unpacked all the patio furniture from under the winter tarp, hosed it off and set it up.

Scrounged for patio umbrella in garage and got that into the patio table.

Showered.

Went to get dinner at Mexican place and had yummiest tostada ever, and a decent shrimp taco.

Sent sick friend home because eyu germs.

Opted to play a 4 player Internet based Dont Starve Together.

Slept/

 

Sunday craziness:

9-12 our church does Everybody Does weekend.  Every Memorial Weekend we cancel services and go do stuff for the community.    The thing I signed up for was painting the entranceway of one of the local public schools.   (Lowest income area of our county.)   I was all smarmy because I thought 'Hahah I picked an inside thing and you suckers are outside sweating!'   Weeellll schools don't run AC on weekends.  Also... they had a June Bug infestation.  IT WAS SO NASTY.   Painted for three hours.

Noon - went to Home Depot to pick up final 2 plants.

Came home, and friend and I planted flowers in deck pots.

Then unloaded all the bags of mulch around the garden area.   Looks sooo great.

Came in showered.

Now 3pm and meet at friends house to get some awesome Main Street Pub burgers.

Then came back to house, where I ran my D&D game from 5-10.

Chit chatted, came home slept.

 

Today... Phew.  (Ok this is not short at all, I suck.)

Slept in a bit, then got up and called my dad to say hi.

Ran some errands, picked up final final 2 plants for the garden.  Hung the one, potted the 4 mini ones into a big planter.

Sat out in the sun while listening to music, all by myself.  So therapeutic.

Showered.

Went to get lunch and opted for a hotdog and fries because... 'MERICA!    

Also got some new lotion.

Oh, and a carwash ... because a giant spider had crawled under my rear door handle as I got in the car.  SORRY BUDDY.  No sharing of mobile turf.

Hung at home for a bit.

Then took dinner over to sick friend and played some games.

Then came home and updated NF. 

 

Sooooo basically.  I had a super full, super awesome non stop weekend.     And, because my friend was sick, a LOT of it was spent with myself.  And I think I really needed that.   I have some recipes picked out for cooking for myself this week, and after work tomorrow I definitely gotta cut the grass again because Wed is supposed to rain and I don't want to have to bag it come Friday.

 

I feel like I could easily slack off on proper tracking my challenge this week on account of all the stuff I have to do and have planned when am not USED to that as part of my solo responsibility routine.   But... I am not Colonel Mustang on a rainy day.  I am Hawkeye!  Stubborn and reliable.  So tomorrow I hit it!

 

 

 

[Elastigirl]

Sounds like a great weekend full of a mix of getting stuff done and having fun. I love the Everybody Does thing your church does!

[chickie.monkey]

15 hours ago, Starpuck said:

I actually hit a playground last week Thursday?   I was like 'omg I can't monkey bar right now!'    I know I will get it back, and lately, I've been choosing outside fun over inside weights.   Summers are short in Chi-ville.   I need to enjoy them when I can.  There are month and months of winter for strength training when it comes down to it.    I have been combatting my poofness by saying '5 minutes' of a non poof activity.  If I still feel terribly poof, I can stop.  Most of the time, even just 5 minutes feels so good the poof dies down a bit.

 

To this day, every time I see a playground, I immediately evaluate it for playground workout goodness. A while back (and by a while, I mean *cough* years *cough*), I actually tried a playground workout. Turns out I was not in good enough shape LOLOL! It is a goal. Because playgrounds = fun!

 

I, too, usually find that if I can get my behind up and going, I'm okay. For whatever reason, I seem to forget that sometimes. This is why I do so much better when I NF.  

[starpuck]

Today is my Day 1, officially.

 

I just threw out my bowl of ice cream.    Yeah.  Me.  Starpuck.  Did that.  I got about 5 spoons in and was like 'this is not what I wanted, nor am I enjoying it.  I will not eat it'.    So that's a thing that happened!

 

 

I got a lovely 9 mile bike ride in on my lunch break despite the fact it was overcast out!  Count that as a "not useless on a rainy day" since plain old overcast can often dissuade me.

 

I am still manning the fort alone, so when I got home, I had to cut the grass so that was bonus xp!  I also did some laundry.   And... AND I cooked some dinner for myself.  Just a quick, fast recipe out of Hungry Girl cookbook.   Apricot bbq chicken, and I had some brussel sprouts and rice as a side.

 

 

Turned on the most recent Critical Role to catch up on and started mucking with a pic I began mooonths ago.   Turning it into a new Kess picture I think... we'll see.   I'm not feeling very inspired right now, but time on tablet is practice nonetheless.

 

Tomorrow... tomorrow I have to face a fear.    I've hit a bit of a weird hurdle with something I love.     Back in February, when I last played hockey, I had a mishap where I collided with my own teammate and ended up with a concussion.    The thing is, I'm not afraid of injury- instead it's my confidence that took such a blow that I have at times contemplated hanging up the skates.   I still feel like such an asshole for what is a total bonehead newb-ass move.    Then I took weeks off to recover from the hit, then had trips and things going on, and now we're at me not having skated in 3 months.   I feel like I have fallen so far behind my friends/teammates that I feel like I don't belong out there with them.    If I do not get back on this horse soon, I will be afraid of this horse.  And I still really like horses. 

 

So that's kind of where things are on this official start for the challenge.

Now for some gaming and reading, and sleeping.