Starpuck: The Middle Floors of the Dungeon

[starpuck]

Remember back in September, when Starpuck set out to defeat the Gloom Monster by doing the impossible?    She was going to find her consistency during the winter months!   And she totally did!     During a 3 month 'cut', she lost 16lbs and several inches!   She got more healthy, she was cooking home cooked things - and she barely goes out for restaurant food any more.    Not only that, but she doesn't feel deprived or restricted with this, she actually prefers it now.  It became... *gasp* ... habit!         Well during February, when we hit the 4 month point of cold weather, grey skies, miserable gloom... she got sick and that really threw a wrench in the consistency part of things,  and oh how easy it is start sliding backwards.       This time, however, she is going to just regroup, get her supporter and head back into the dungeon!     In order to get stronger, she has to delve into the middle floors of the tower... where things are more challenging.    My 3 month 'maintenance' window is over, and so it's back to being a little more strict.      And there's some other things going on, that have me a little stressed and sketchy, but we're going to push through this!   (Because, well, the alternative is not attractive.)

 

 

How things are currently...

Spoiler

 

Things going well still:

Food portions and tracking.  A-Okay no problem there.

Teeth brushing at night!

Home cooked goodness rather than eating out.

 

Things going okay:

Exercising

Art

 

Things needing focused attention:

Flossing (again)

Better bed times

 

 

 

Goal #1 - Keep your fighting skills sharpened!

◘ Exercise 5x / week.  Combo of whatever, but at least 2 lifts.

 

 

 

Goal #2 - Maintain your armor and equipment!

◘ Floss 4x a week, and never more than a day apart.

◘ Wash face nightly, moisturize!

◘ Mud Mask Mondays!

 

 

☼ Art 4x / week.

☼ Art lessons to equal 20m / week.

 

 

 

Goal #3 - Nourish the body so it grows stronger for the next battle!

◘ Tighten up on calorie tracking; return to better measurements.

◘ Ease up on the sweet treats - just because you have the calories for them, doesn't mean they are the best option.

◘ Aim for lower fat% in macros for the next 4 weeks.

◘ On non-D&D/out nights, lights off by 11pm.   No excuses!  

 

 

 

Some other things to keep in mind, work on and not lose track of.

Budget.   Get back to better budgeting.

Hockey - Decide if I am going to keep hockeying or if I am taking some time off from it.   

Schedule Stuff - too much, or just disorganized and not set to routine?

Bible reading/ study... another thing to add.  Important, but what drops to accommodate?

 

Are we going for a 100%-er?    It would be good to rekindle the focus fire - but I am not feeling it too strongly.   I don't want to set 100% challenges only when I think I can nail them... that's not a challenge, that's a sure-win, lol.     But, if I do... what's the reward?  More terrain for D&D?    Something else?    I've got a week to think about it I suppose.

 

Ok, all here we go.    Got step one done!  Make a challenge that excites me!  (Yes, I am currently watching, "Is it wrong to pick up girls in a dungeon?" - super cute anime.   But copying from Sloth, let's not call this a theme, as my gifs are likely to change sources midway through, lol!)

 

 

[Elastigirl]

Can't wait to see another awesome Starpuck challenge. You are doing great.

[JessFit]

Following for the awesomeness 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following again.

[Sloth the Enduring]

Following for potential pull-up vids.

[Son of Rylos]

I'm in for lots of success!

[SkyGirl]

Following for regrouping and charging out of the doldrums of winter!!! You've got this!!   

[starpuck]

W0D1 - Getting organized!

 

Posted challenge: ✔

Ate within cut caloric limits: ✔

 

No art today.  I did like 3 hours all at once yesterday and didn't feel recharged to do more today.   I went from nothing in mind, to pencil sketch, to digital ink, color and shade between 1pm-4pm yesterday so I could have my new new character ready for Sunday's D&D game.   Grave Domain Cleric, Liliana Duskwalker.  Half elf.    While she might serve a god of death, she's actually quite bubbly and cheerful!

 

 

I also messed with my first editing attempt on the program I bought for ... editing.    I did a little test of a speed paint with my capture software+editing software.   I was late to get to gaming, so I didn't polish it up very much, but it worked! 

 

I attempted a lift day today, but after warm up and one set of pull ups and squats, my right quad cramped up something fierce and shut down.   I rubbed it out, took the foam roller to it and stretched, then rolled a lax ball over it for the rest of the afternoon.    I instead took a 20 minute walk outside to see if that'd help.   The sun came out which was awesome, but it was still only 36 degrees with a fierce wind that made it feel like 22.   It was less invigorating than I hoped it would be.

 

Finished it up with MudMaskMonday with my sis tonight, and played a bit of Anthem.

Now I should be sleeping - but darn the stupid DST thing has me all screwed up!

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

DST is hurting me too. It usually takes me about a week to adjust.

[starpuck]

My quad is so pissed at me guys!    I am pretty sure that yesterday's Extreme Charlie Horse has caused a level of serious DOMS in that poor leg.    Which super sucks because I was so jacked to get back into my exercising groove.   There's no way I can lift on this leg, but the sun is out, and theoretically, it should be about 45 degrees at lunch time - I could just bundle up for another walk today then come back and stretch out nicely.   I could also try to get some dancing in at home tonight instead, but that would be more demanding of the sore leggo.

 

So I've been dealing with a decision lately, that I finally made last night - but am still kind of stressed out about.    My sister found out last week, that she requires a partial knee replacement.   Her surgery date ended up smack in the middle of my JUST PLANNED AND APPROVED vacation to visit my dad.    After a lot of mulling around, my friend and I have opted to shift everything up a few days, so that I'd be back the afternoon she has her surgery.   Her husband will be with her of course, and it's a 1-hour out patient partial replacement surgery, so being there to help emotionally support her will be plenty good.   (That and help around the house and such.)      The thing is, she's got herself super worked up over this.   She's panicked and worried about all the what-ifs (totally just like I would be) and I'd like to help encourage her.    I know it's a big deal; she'll need several weeks off and lots of therapy to get back into good mobility.   But after her seeing my dad go through a replacement that ended up with an infection, that was a huge deal - she's fearing the worst.    I'm hoping that some of you have seen first hand, the good work of a refurbished knee, and I can pass the stories on to her.   Tips and advice on how to recover and rehab, and any bible verses, or studies that can help her focus on the positive.    

 

That whole thing has been weighing heavily on me because I am a chronic worrier.   Even as I spout encouragement at people, I secretly worry deep within my brain.   I think it's because I have a lot of empathy for people and I tend to hurt/worry WITH them, as opposed to just feel for them on their behalf.   There's a part of me, that even still gnaws the idea that I should totally cancel my trip altogether - but that seems silly.  Right?   As it stands, I will be 100% around for her recovery.    I should stick to the plan to visit my dad, then come back and help with what needs help.     Gah.   Anxiety sucks, ya know?

 

So yeah, any tips and tricks and advice would be great.  Thanks all.

 

 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

DO NOT CANCEL YOUR TRIP! You have already adjusted it so you can be there for her. At this point, canceling the trip altogether wouldn't really be for her, it'd be for you so you wouldn't have to deal with the discomfort of taking care of yourself chronologically before taking care of your sister.

[Elastigirl]

Agreeing with Tank , Don't cancel your trip. It will be good to bethere forrehab after. My sis in law had two knee replacements. One went perfect, another was a bit sore and took a bit longer to rehab, but no infection or horror story, just annoyance. Another gal had it done, and she said it was a good choice. 

 

I understand your sister. I tend to look ahead at all the what if's. What helps me  is to remember that when I look ahead at all the what if's, I'm looking at something I'm unprepared for. If the what if's happen, then God will give me the strength at that moment. He's not giving me strength for something that may happen. It helps me to focus on all the times  when things have been hard, and God has been with me. It also helps me to spend more time in prayer thanking God for what He has done, and to write down all the things I am thankful for. Another help is  to think of all the good outcomes that may happen. 

 

Matthew 6:34

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

 

[JuiceeTarget]

I have been a chronic worrier myself. I've gotten much better about it by consistently asking myself whether worrying helps the situation. Sometimes worry is good for giving you time to think on something. But oftentimes the worry is counterproductive.

 

Doing that won't stop you from worrying, it just helps to take the edge off and give some perspective. After a time, it becomes habit, "Oh, look, I'm worrying about this thing. Is it helpful to worry about it?" Just be honest with yourself. Sometimes it is necessary to worry, and it can help to think of the bad things that can happen. But many times it isn't helpful.

 

But, enough about that, or we will start worrying about how much we worry!

 

Excited to follow along again.

[starpuck]

Thanks all.     We're trudging through the initial shock of having to accept everything here, but I really feel like it will be fine.      @Elastigirl - my sis said thank you for what you shared.  It really touched her last night!    Big hugs your way my friend.

 

News for me- yesterday my leg stayed sore all day so I opted for another mostly rest day.   My calories in shifted down because of it, but that was an adjustment I had to make.   It's feeling better-ish today so I am going to do some upper body, core and lots of stretching out there today.     Last night I did nothing but talk with my sister and spend some extra time around the dinner table, and then mind-blank with a lot of Anthem.    Here's a 4 minute clip of me and the boyz eradicating some bad guys.   My flying is getting better-  I think!  LOL   You'll catch some swearing in the background, which is our friend Hoot, yelling at the house where the three of them game together, and being picked up off of one of their microphones, which is hilarious haha.

 

Also - as I try to expand a bit on the youtube channel, what kind of stuff should I include on there?   Should I try to do more tutorial/tips kind of things?  Videos a bit longer, or shorter?   I'm not looking for any OMGVIRALSUCCESS here.  Just a fun little channel my friends can check out.

 

 

 

Tonight I have awkward family get together- not looking forward to it.  Knowing that I have to eat out tomorrow; I am going to eat left overs before heading over there, and eat only ONE piece of 'it's polite to eat the food the hosts provide you' pizza.      I'm hoping for exercise the rest of the week to keep up on that going in to proper week one.    This leg better play along with this plan!

[obax]

Following, of course!

 

I, too, am striving to check in here more than I have been, and to not disappear....

[Cheetah]

8 hours ago, Starpuck said:

'it's polite to eat the food the hosts provide you'

 

I have to have desserts at my inlaws which fall into this category.

 

I hope your leg is better soon!

[starpuck]

The visit went better than ok, it was nice.

I missed my aunt more than I thought I did.

 

It's 11:09 and I am only getting home and unwound now from the visit.  

I have a very busy rest of the week into weekend a well, so ugh.

 

Stuck to the food plan and feel great about that.

Also got a proper lift in, but I did not chance squats on a healing charlied-quad.   I did walking lunges slowly and with great focus.

In other news - I managed 6 pull ups for four full sets and then a 5.5 set!    Haven't lost progress on those even through these last few meh weeks.

 

No art yet this week.  After my binge on Sunday I might just chill until Week 1.

 

Tomorrow work, then movie, then home.

Friday work, then D&D, then home.

Saturday morning hair appt, followed by Captain Marvel with a teammate, then home to chill finally.

Sunday church, laundry, then D&D (with stressful player-party frustrations to worry about.)

 

I sleep now.

 

[JessFit]

Glad you're doing well with eating and had a good lift! 

[JuiceeTarget]

Looks like you are getting into the groove! 

 

And watching your Anthem play... I have to apologize because I spent the whole time telling you to use your abilities as soon as they were off cool down ;P 

Great to see your play style, having recently converted to the church of Interceptor as well. Once I figured out to use my abilities on cool down, it became much more fun. I can survive everything but Titans now... and for those, it's just the fiery rings that get me every time. I did Mario, I should know how to do jumpy puzzles, right?

 

Make sure you show that leg who is boss here...

[Cheetah]

20 hours ago, Starpuck said:

6 pull ups for four full sets

 

Good job!  I'm actively avoiding pullups because I'm back at square one.  But I feel better knowing you're doing them for me.  :-)

[starpuck]

The busy week continues, holy crap.    -.-

 

I was sooooo sore yesterday that I opted to just watch some D&D streams during my lunch break and try to get some mental energy back.    Delved into Relics & Rarities and I am really enjoying the way Deborah Ann Woll DM's.   Lots to learn from her I think.       I then had to go straight from work to dinner with friends to movie.   We saw Part II of Fate Stay Heavens Feel... omg.   Dark.   Heavy.    Brutal.     I got home at 9:45 and I really wanted to at least do a mission or two on Anthem so I did that and then had lights out at 11pm.

 

Not the best day, but not the worst either.   I'm pushing hard this week, and I have to accept that I just can't do it all.   And that's okay.   Other weeks I can, but this is not one of those weeks.   Tonight is drive home, stop for chili ingredients, whip up some chili, then D&D.   I'm super excited to play with all the streams I've been watching, and it's the group that has less table drama so I am looking forward to it.

 

Saturday is long hair appt in the morning.  (Thinking of doing this to my hair.)  

The color scheme, not the waves... I have straight hair hehe.

 

Then out to see Captain Marvel with my hockey bestie, then home for laundry and much needed ME ALONE time.  (Which will probably be Anthem.)     Sunday is church, then chill, then Tomb of Annihilation night with my Sunday group.   And that's where I need some advice guys...   I'll spoiler it so it's not a huge wall of text for all. 

 

Dungeons and Dragons and Drama
 

Spoiler

 

• So, we've been playing Tomb of Annihilation for 15 months now.   It's supposed to be a deadly campaign filled with puzzles and traps, but our GM barely knows D&D rules.   He's more of a story teller type than a mechanics type, so it's very loosey goosey.
• We have another player, who also doesn't do the 'crunch' side of games, and flies loosey goosey, and they get VERY attached to their characters.
• For months, my friend Joe and I, who always have a lot of ideas for PCs, have joked and goaded our DM to kill us.  (To no avail.)
• The other player, I'll call her Twiggy, also really likes to have her own niche in game.   Her own special thing.
• Twiggy's character ended up having a lot of overlap with my original character, Aella, the Storm Cleric.  All the same spells and big flashy booms.
• After catching several comments over the months, of Twiggy being a bit put off by others stealing her chance to be special, I ask the DM if I can make a new PC.  He agrees.
• I make this awesome Paladin that I love ... who gets turned to stone in the first day of playing him.  (With no fix!)   ((Seriously, for a year we beg death and nothing, and then you petrify my brand new PC?  LOLOL)
• I make another new PC.  A grave domain cleric of a good death god.    

 

... and here we land in our current predicament.

 

We are trying to get into a temple that we need to find a cube in.     The temple is flooded with Frog people having a ceremony for the elders ailing son.   We offer to heal, they say he needs the help from the special guest.      We end up being there when the guest arrives and it is this witch-hag-not-great woman named Nanipupu.   

 

(Backstory tidbit.  Our wizard's npc brother was killed, and she offered to 'fix' him and the party declined, fearing that she would be fixing him in a not good way.    This woman's house is littered with skulls and bones of all manner of creatures, including humanoids.  She seems powerful, and maybe not 'good' but we have parlayed and been civil thus far.) 

 

We watch the frog elder's son take his last breath, and she walks in, says "Oh good still ripe!"   Produces this red gem out of her ... mouth?   Sticks it into the forehead and casts some magic.    Arms twitch and she nods, "Good, better in morning.  Where's my hut?" and is lead off.   Now, the frog people have pooled together all their resources for the 'great guest to heal the elders son'.      My new cleric, Lily  (Get it?  Serves a death god, full name is Liliana Duskwalker, shortens to lily, which are often presented at funerals!)  Anyway...  she has an ability to automatically perceive undead, so I cast Eyes of the Grave.   DM has them close their ears, and tells me, Oh yeah, that kid is going to hatch as undead for sure.    They all uncover their ears, and I say to the DM... "Lily is going to, as subtly as possible now that Nanipupu has left, cast dispel magic on that red gem."

 

IC points of note:  Kelemvor's priests, in the wiki, are noted that, "arguably their most important job, is to destroy undead in all their forms, as it is an affront to their god".     So, based on that alone, it's a very IC, and GOOD thing to do.     Second point... these lesser intelligent humanoids, are absolutely being CONNED by this woman.   That Frog Elder believes his son will be returned to health and life... not an undead puppet!   Don't let bad people con the innocent... that just seems... like a no brainer.         So as a party of 'heroes' who are out here trying to solve the Death Curse that is killing people who have been previously, and legitimately resurrected, are rotting... it seems like total BS that they are going to let undead, evil conning to happen, just because 'it makes it less risky for us to get what we want'.     

 

The trouble I am having, is that Twiggy, at the end of the game, huffs and says, "So much for our promise to use diplomacy this time!" grabs her stuff and leaves without hardly a goodbye to anyone.   

 

She, and my other friend (Boulder we'll call him) have been getting so bad with the huffing and puffing when things don't go their way... or if people do something with their characters that might be "less than perfect, or not an ideal solution or maybe be risky."   Eye rolling, shoulder slumping, 'gahs' and 'thats why I said we should do blah.'...

 

I'm trying to make sure that *I* am doing the give and take stuff too, but it really feels like they are so hung up on getting things right and perfect, that they will huff and puff whenever someone else does anything other than what they THINK we should be doing.     I'm not sure how to bring it up without sounding like I am trying to get them to play MY way... but I'm really at wits end and not enjoying the game atmosphere on Sundays... any suggestions?

 

 

 

17 hours ago, GoodDoug said:

I have to apologize because I spent the whole time telling you to use your abilities as soon as they were off cool down ;P 

Hahaha no apologies needed!   I want to get better.  Nay... I want to MASTER this class, so tips are great.   I need to do better at keeping an eye on the abilities bar.   When I do the main missions, I play 100% solo.   Set to private, so I think I actually do a bit more focused work.  I should get a video of that up at some point.     I'll also start spamming those abilities more hahaha.    Btw, I missed it if you said it .... what platform are you on?  If you are on PC, you should totally share your Origin ID with me!

 

14 hours ago, Cheetah said:

Good job!  I'm actively avoiding pullups because I'm back at square one.  But I feel better knowing you're doing them for me.  :-)

Don't worry Cheetah, from experience, I can say that square one is a soft square one.  I do feel you get them back faster during subsequent attempts to rework them, than when you first try to get them.  But in the meantime, I'll make sure to dedicate a set for you!

 

[Cheetah]

7 minutes ago, Starpuck said:

square one is a soft square one

 

That's what I'm hoping for.  I probably just need to start doing them again, and let it be what it will be.

[Sloth the Enduring]

IMHO, you need a restart. You’re playing a campaign that doesn’t fit your group. I’m not sure how I’d approach that though, it sounds like they don’t want your advice.

If I was in your place and was stuck playing this campaign, I’d try to go loosey-goosey to fit in with the strengths of the group.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

You're not going to like my advice.

Spoiler

You have a lot going on already. It sounds like you are all give and others are all take. I don't get the sense you are really enjoying yourself (maybe you are, but IDK). Maybe you let this one go?

 

[starpuck]

On 3/15/2019 at 6:06 PM, Sloth the Enduring said:

IMHO, you need a restart. You’re playing a campaign that doesn’t fit your group. I’m not sure how I’d approach that though, it sounds like they don’t want your advice.

If I was in your place and was stuck playing this campaign, I’d try to go loosey-goosey to fit in with the strengths of the group.

 

On 3/15/2019 at 7:01 PM, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

You're not going to like my advice.

  Reveal hidden contents

You have a lot going on already. It sounds like you are all give and others are all take. I don't get the sense you are really enjoying yourself (maybe you are, but IDK). Maybe you let this one go?

 

 

Oi oi!  First a quick response on the D&D matter.    Aye, I've been thinking of the break thing Tank.   The tricky part is that every time I attempt to do that on this Sunday group - even the time they all wanted to play a game and system I had no interest in and said 'No, please go on and play.  It's okay if I am not in a game for a bit.'  They all said 'noooo, we play to play with our friends, so you need to be here.'       We'll see how things break down over the next few weeks.     I do feel like I am in a few games that are not my ideal TYPE of game - but I always war with the notion of, "if I can only play in MY ideal game, then I'm not very good at sharing the gaming table with others and their preferred types of games".    Like I feel I am being selfish in the same way I accuse them of being selfish.     Haha.   

 

I will say that last night went well, and while Twiggy did have some sharp words while we were actively playing, and was very pushy about what course of action we should all take (which was to run after we pissed off Nani'pupu')... at the end of the night she complimented me on being able to stick to my characters ideals through out that whole thing.   She said that she doesn't think she'd have been able to do it if she were in that place.         I'm not sure how sincere it was, but as @Jarric mentioned elsewhere when I brought it up, best to take it face value as it will make me feel better about it overall.   So that's the plan.

 

In Challenge news... I really slacked this weekend, but I am ready to hit it hard now that Week 1 is starting up proper.   I DO think I will go for a 100% challenge, and reward myself with some more terrain.   I just need to find a good set for my reward.