Bob goes back to Bard College

[Bob the Bardbarian]

Strap in, 'cause this post is gonna get long.

 

I've walked this path before, but not with this much clarity - this much focus.  This is taking what I already know, reworking the foundations, and coming up with something completely new.  This is me, taking the failings of my past, and using them as stepping stones towards my goals.

 

But, I guess I should probably start from the beginning...

 

For the longest time I pursued the path of a barbarian, someone who is not only strong, but tough, and fearless.  I had all the plans laid out in front of me, with goals setup, and a mindset to work from.  Then, not long into it, I realized it wasn't the path I wanted.  Sure, it was a good plan (after all, I wrote it), but I wasn't having any fun, and it's not who I am.

 

But then, if I wasn't a barbarian, who was I...?

 

I pondered this question for a while.  I thought about what my qualities were, what I excelled at, what my thought process was, and what I wanted to achieve.  It was almost like I was coming up with my big WHY all over again.  "Well... " I thought to myself, "I like to inspire people through acts of kindness.  I like to entertain people, or at the very least make them laugh and smile.  I enjoy being creative, in whatever way I can.  I'm a jack of all trades, and a master of none.  I enjoy learning new skills, and trying new things.  Even to the point of making bad decisions, if only for the stories I can tell.  More than anything, I enjoy a good drink, a good meal, and time with friends and family."  And then, out of the blue, like a ton of bricks, it hit me:

 

I am a bard.

 

At least, I had a good start on the makings of a bard.  But then, if I were to walk the bard's path, where would I begin?  How does one incorporate fitness into a path like this?  What are my end goals?  And more than anything, what the hell does a bard even do?  I approached these questions the same way I approached becoming a barbarian:  What are the qualities of a bard in games, books, and movies?  How can these qualities transition to a modern world?  Could you apply these qualities to any of the classes on NF?

After digging through a handful of online blogs, YouTube videos, and reading up on D&D and Pathfinder rules (both old and new), I knew I was heading in the right direction, and I started to notice some similarities.    Outside of usual being a jack of all trades, playing some sort of instrument, and indulging in wine, women, and song, the bard possesses 3 qualities:

 

A bard educates.

 

A bard entertains.

 

A bard inspires.

After realizing that, I knew I was on the right path.  But again, could I apply these qualities to a class on NF?  Even more so, how the hell does fitness play in all of this?  Do I want to stay a jack of all trades?  Should I learn an instrument?  What could I create?  What should I study?  How would I want to entertain and inspire others?

 

All this led me to seriously contemplate my EQ list, my overall story, my end goals, but more than anything, who exactly did I want to become.  I believe this is the path to not only achieving a healthy lifestyle, but also a happier one.

 

That being said, Bob's headin' back to college.  

 

THE BARD'S COLLEGE!

For my first couple of challenges with this respawn, I'm going to get the basics down.  I need to figure out what I want to achieve physically, but also bring life to my creativity, and get some things done on my to do list.  This is where I figure out WHAT I want to study.  HOW do I want to inspire people.  HOW can I be more entertaining?

 

Let us begin...

 

A bard educates!

No matter what or where, a bard usually seems to know something about the world around him, and is always eager to share with anyone who will listen  He not only educates others, but is also open to any lore he might come across.  Bards hold a wealth of knowledge that can usually come in handy in any situation.  I plan on expanding my interests, learning new skills, and gaining new traits to be more useful in the world around me.

Quest - Study all materials for the CompTIA A+ Certification

If I'm going to be working with network systems and computers, I need to know how to take them apart, and put them back together.  I have all the study materials I need for the CompTIA A+ cert.  Getting a certification in only 4 weeks won't be easy, but with this small pocket of free time between quarters, I know I can make it work.

 

Side Quest - Get a 90% or more in my current class

This one shouldn't be too difficult.  All I need to do is study, and finish up the course in the first week of the challenge.  Start strong, and finish stronger.

 

A bard entertains!

At some point, somewhere, someone told me I was funny (I think they were drunk).  For everyone else, I'm guessing they just smile and laugh to tolerate my presence until I leave.  

 

WHY YES I DO think I'm funny, but I've learned that I want to be better at being funny, and achieve laughter outside of horrible puns.  I've told jokes, stories, performed magic, read palms, and have even written riddles.  However, I've been wanting to get back into music.  I played alto sax in high school, and I want to get more music out into the world.  I believe music can move the body and soul - whether it's through a DAW creating electronic music, or taking up the guitar, 
 

Quest - Finish up my first project album

I've been using a DAW (digital audio workstation) and a library of samples to create music.  Not exactly my idea of music creation; I mean, all I'm doing is dragging and dropping sound files.  It's like making a story with those packs of refrigerator magnets with words on them.  However, it is a good start, and I believe I can do more as I get better.  My first album is nearly complete, and will be ready to release soon, free for everyone to download.  But this isn't just about creating music.  I also need to register on Sound Cloud and Band Camp.  I need to make the album art.  I need to get all the individual portions ready before it can be released.  It's going to be wonderful.

 

Side Quest - Create one song with digital instruments

I want to continue to expand my knowledge of my current DAW to create new projects.  I have several digital instruments I want to take advantage of.  So, I'll be creating one song, using only samples for drum and bass.  It's gonna be short, silly, feckin' weird, and I don't care

 

A bard inspires!

This one was tricky.  I mean, how the hell am I suppose to inspire people.  Raising people's spirits with mere words is a little tricky for me, and I'm better suited for conversing and comedy.  Then, it hit me:  All those YouTube videos of fat guys, doing incredible parkour feats (back-flips, vaults, and tricks).  THAT is how I inspire people, to show the world that you shouldn't be limited to the things you can do just by your size or shape.  To show that if you have enough piss and vinegar flowing through your veins, anything can be accomplished.  THAT'S where the fitness aspect comes in.  Parkour is something that I love practicing when I can; honestly, there are few times I feel so alive as when I've moving and conquering obstacles not only around me, but within myself as well.

However, I believe there are other ways in which one can inspire others.  From random acts of kindness and generosity, to just being a good example to those around you, it doesn't take much to be the light that guides people through the darkest times of their lives.

 

Quest 4 - Workout 3 days a week

I'd like to do more.  I'd love to be able to do 5 days a week, but I know that would just be setting myself up for failure.  We'll start with 3 days of a full bodyweight routine, and see if we can slowly incorporate more. 

 

Side Quest - 5 minutes of daily primal squatting + walking

I want to get a foundation for fitness, and with that, I'm walking.  In addition, the primal squatting will help greatly with my mobility.

 

 

These quests are going to be challenging for me.  But I'm reminded of the article posted by Steve, about the survey that everyone took, and what stopped people from being successful.  I know I can find time to conquer all this shit, but I need to keep myself going, and make small changes.

 

So if small successes lead to bigger ones, let's not waste anymore time, shall we?

Let the challenges begin!

[raptron]

What a journey to undertake! Swapping classes and all. Good luck.  

[Bob the Bardbarian]

So it's been a couple of days, and things have been going reasonably well.

 

I didn't walk yesterday, but I have been squatting everyday.  Making time to do it with a friend helps.  Working out is harder than I thought, but I'm making time for it.

 

Also, I just finished up my summer class, and fingers crossed, I should be getting a 94%.  We'll have to wait and see.

 

Lastly, I'm down to the last 2 songs in my first music project.  I've also finished the album artwork for it last night.  I'm really excited to share it with all of you once it comes out.

 

Things are going good.  I hope things are going awesome with your quests as well.  Keep it up!

[Bob the Bardbarian]

I present to you, the shittiest boss battle music ever!

 

https://goo.gl/3yMr3V

 

Or, more accurately, Bob's really, really bored at work.

[raptron]

Hahah, cute!

[Bob the Bardbarian]

Last Tuesday was fantastic.  I got some days off work, and I spent the entire day getting some stuff done.  I ate well, I worked out, I made music, and I enjoyed every single second of it.  Work hard, play hard, and relax harder.  It was honestly one of the better days I've had in a while, and considering all the crazy shit I've been going through, that's really saying something.

 

On the downside, I probably won't have completely studied up on being able to take my CompTIA A+ cert test.  At the very least, I'll study as much as I can, when I can, and probably while school is going on.  However, before I can do that, I need to finish up the album and have it released.  One less thing to worry about.  It's nearly done.  One more track to complete, and we're good.

 

I'm getting shit done.  It feels... really awesome.  I've lost about 60 lbs. since July of last year.  Here's to losing some more.

[Bob the Bardbarian]

92.4% for my summer class.  Go me.

[Manarelle]

On 8/24/2018 at 1:22 AM, Bob the Bard said:

I'm getting shit done.  It feels... really awesome.  I've lost about 60 lbs. since July of last year.  Here's to losing some more.

 

14 hours ago, Bob the Bard said:

92.4% for my summer class.  Go me.

 

[Bob the Bardbarian]

Okay, so...

 

I haven't been working out as often this week.  I've still been walking and squatting daily, so at least there's that.  School's getting ready to start back up again, so I'm trying to get all my computer stations as I like them.  But enough about crap you don't care about.

 

I finished the last track on my current music project.  In very short order I'll be uploading all my music to Sound Cloud, where it'll be free for everyone to download.

 

I'll let you know as soon as it's up and running.

[Manarelle]

On 9/2/2018 at 12:54 AM, Bob the Bard said:

School's getting ready to start back up again, so I'm trying to get all my computer stations as I like them.

 

So either you oversee a computer lab or.... you're really passionate about having enough computers at home.  

[raptron]

Keeping the walking and squatting alive is good! Hope for a smooth fall kick-off for ya.  

[Bob the Bardbarian]

So, I finally finished up my first music project. 

And guess what? 

It's about you guys (and girls, not sexist)!

 

This album is dedicated, and inspired by, you:  the super awesome, Nerd Fitness community.  Each song is based off the different classes and their training methods, along with a few extras as well.  All of the songs are available for download, 100% free!  Give them a listen, and hopefully, you'll add them to your workout playlist.

Keeping working hard my brothers and sisters!  You're all bad-ass exemplars of pure awesomeness!

 

 

[Manarelle]

Witness my strength and This 3D platformer are my favorite tracks, but honestly, I left them to play in the background and loved them all. Nicely done!

[Bob the Bardbarian]

For whatever reason, I wasn't able to download the tracks.  I edited them, so you can download them now as mp3's if you choose

[raptron]

Very cool.  

[Bob the Bardbarian]

So, after one of the most grueling challenge months I've had, I learned quite a lot from what I accomplished, as well as what I didn't.  First off, I'm putting too much pressure on my side quests.  I'll continue to do them, but unless they're things that can be accomplished in 3 days or less, I probably should just pass on them.

Okay, time for grading.

 

Quest - Study all materials for the CompTIA A+ Certification

This did not go as planned... Needless to say I bit of more than I could chew.  Again.  Still, I have all the materials.  I'll see if I can try to study up for the certification during Christmas break.  0/10

 

Side Quest - Get a 90% or more in my current class

92.4%  baby.  Count it.  10/10

 

Quest - Finish up my first project album

After getting registered on several different websites that host media, and finishing the album art, I launched the NF album off.  It certainly wasn't as smooth as I wanted it, but it was met with great reception.  I'm working on several new tracks now, and also my next big album.  I'm excited.  I think I've found a hobby I can really get into.  10/10

 

Side Quest - Create one song with digital instruments

I didn't get around to making another song.  But, I did mess around with the different capabilities of my DAW.  I've already started another song, and I'm slowly incorporating more digital instruments into the songs I make.  8/10

 

Quest 4 - Workout 3 days a week

I nailed this the first 3 weeks of the challenge month.  Unfortunately, during the last week, I lost my rhythm, and crapped out.  Next month will be different though, and I'll be doing some new exercises.  Specifically more lifting.  7/10

 

Side Quest - 5 minutes of daily primal squatting + walking

This one I was surprised that I actually passed all of them.  Daily primal squatting has helped with my flexibility tremendously.  I will definitely be working it into my post-workout stretches.  10/10

 

Total:  45/60 - C+