Starpuck - Way of the Empty Hand

[starpuck]

"And so we have come full circle.   The road journeys ever on, yet we note such anniversaries with thought and reflection.   Perhaps it is time for our ranger to take bold new steps; to push further past her known boundaries and find new futures.  For that, we must embrace the mindset and discipline of the monks, and the chosen tradition for Starpuck, will be the Way of the Empty Hand..."

 

 

 

 

It was the September challenge of last year that I took on the goal of 100% or bust.   I gave myself a heck of a reward as incentive (D&D terrain tiles) and I managed to pull it off.    Not only that, the consistency proved the best part of that arrangement!   Four weeks of effort set into motion what would become 4 months of forward progress.   I lost 20 lbs and several inches.  I gained strength.   I felt great!  I was tracking my food so consistently that I only just broke my MFP streak of 320 days.   (There were a handful of only half tracked days in that span, to be fair and honest.)   And the best part?   I only ever gained about 3lbs back over the next 8 months.   I have hovered between 140-143 at worst, ever since.   I maintained!  WIthout rage, or tantrum, or frustration, or guilt, or feeling deprived.      It also gave my body a nice long time to get used to things at that point.   And now?   Now we step back in to a little bit more focused work.   

 

Way of the Empty Hand

Monks of this tradition are masters of doing more with less.    They focus their minds and determination on what can be obtained with both hands free, rather than with grasping onto the equipment and goods that other adventurers might rely on.  They learn that the hand must remain open and empty, in order for it to grasp what challenges lie ahead.    (So it's a play on Open Hand... which is a D&D tradition that exists.)

 

Here's how it equates to my Ranger challenge:

 

1.  Empty the Hand that holds the iron.  -  I already work out and that doesn't need much help in maintaining.   Maybe being a bit more focused would help... but the actual doing is getting done.    So, lets start working on some actual programs, that are pre-built, that I can follow and gain some guided strength and mobility.   I also want to add either yoga (have the NF yoga, so that makes the most sense) or maybe some Tai Chi to build some slow down / balance / strength / mobility into my body.

 

2.  Empty the Hand of mindless food indulgences!   -  Food wise, I do the right thing 85% of the time.  It's not straining me at this level, but I also know where I can tighten that up.   Game nights.   Namely, I tend to have a snack always in hand during game nights so I need to learn how to 'empty the hand' during the 2-3 sessions per week I play in.   I think I might even indulge in a little side game of getting some 'monk hand wraps'.   Every snack I eat at game night wraps around a digit of mine.   The goal being to not end up with the whole hand wrapped!  *Ok, that might need some work, but I think I can do something with this.    I also want to tighten up a bit on my choices of food.  More lean protein, more veggies.    I'm pretty good at this, but if I can get to a point where I crave grapes as a sweet snack, instead of cookies, all the better.  (That might not happen, and that's okay.  But I'd like to just continue to add more wholesome foods to my palate.)

 

3.  Empty the Hand of whim buys and indulgent purchases.  -  Spending.   My car is paid off and I want to focus on savings now.   I have an app that is appropriately called 'Spending Tracker'.   I have had mixed success with this one.  I am great at tracking fuel, groceries for work and dinner costs.   But once I forget a meal out, or a whim buy of a new notebook for D&D (this happens more than I want it to), I tend to stop tracking those things.  And THOSE things are what most need tracking.    This will help me tighten up my spending, AND accurately see how much I spend per month on necessities versus desires.   And THAT helps me see the bigger picture on what housing costs I can afford. 

 

4.  Empty the Mind of thoughts of Perfection.  - Art stuff.   Sooo I guess a pencil in hand doesn't fit the empty hand analogy.   But I can get deep here and say that it also implies a Monk of this tradition must empty their minds of preconceived expectations on themselves based off of others.   IE - stop being so upset over how good or bad you are at something, and just focus on continuing to learn and progress.  This will tie in to the monk discipline side of things.

 

 

That's what I'll be working on this go around.   I am going to focus things down a bit more precisely as the day goes on.    I'll be using my pre-written BuJo to set this all up and keep track of what is getting down on what days too.   The goal is 90% - because it's a 5 week challenge.   And that's going to give me some wiggle room without it being rage-inducing.  Which, it hasn't been in a long time, but I would rather set an attainable goal and surpass it, then set a really unfeasible one and then give up after having to wiggle early on it.      Along the way, I hope to bring my monk along for the ride over on @Jarric 's adventure!   Hopefully he needs a monk in his group.

 

And oh!  The bonus goal we're reaching for here ...  see, yesterday I met a Jester at the Ren Faire.  I called out to her and said, "Jester, do you have any donuts?"   And she comes over, and says, (in perfect Jester voice) "Wellll actually I do!"  and pulls out a prop donut.   Then a prop lollipop!   She was so spot on ya'all.    My friend, who has Jester as his fave, missed her, but we found her again later.  I apologized for bothering her again, but said that my friend would really love a picture with her.  She obliged.   And then said, "Do you know about the Traveler?" and I answered, "Of course!  We're going to Traveler Con... the one that might be at the volcano!"  And she just right back and forth with the banter.   Then she pulls out a hand made, color printed pamphlet on The Traveler, and hands it to us.     I was so inspired by this little gem of a cosplayer, that I think I've decided to cosplay as Beau for my next con.  And that's a super bold move for me, but I want to try it.  *nodnod*  This challenge will help me get there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[starpuck]

Saved for deets.

 

Goal 1:   Hone the Body with Mindful Movement

Move with Intention 5x/Week   ☐☐☐☐☐

Recovery Walk / Stretching Day 1x/Week   ☐

*Move = (Strength, Bike, Jog, Yoga, Dance, Hockey.)

 

Goal 2:   Create a Wholeness of Body

Track Food Daily   ☐☐☐☐☐☐☐

Empty Hand Technique on Game Nights   ☐☐☐

*Technique successful if snack 'moments' are 3 or less/night.   **MINDFUL snacks moments.

 

Goal 3:   Focus on the Lesson of Less is More

Track Every. Last. Purchase Daily   ☐☐☐☐☐☐☐

Open Car Fund Acct  ☐
Close old Savings  ☐

 

Goal 4:   Seek not Perfection, but Discipline

Work on Art Stuff 4x / week  ☐☐☐☐

Complete at least 1 lesson / week  ☐

*Art stuff can be digital time, or pencil sketching, but an art lesson is separate of art time.

 

  Reward ...  hmm.   I feel as if I have made enough whim purchases (omg Kickstarter got me so bad the past few months) that I need to pay back the reward I've already given myself.    That's not very motivating though I suppose.     Maybe... a second set of the terrain that I first got?  It's really nice stuff and it can be re-used over and over.  Or a full set of Level Up Dice maybe!

 

Weekly Results Tracked Below.

 

[Jarric]

Love this challenge! Sounds like you've got a really good focus for this one, and a really good place to build from.

 

40 minutes ago, Starpuck said:

It was the September challenge of last year that I took on the goal of 100% or bust.   I gave myself a heck of a reward as incentive (D&D terrain tiles) and I managed to pull it off. 

 

So, have you thought about a reward for this challenge, if you're trying to mirror the September one?

 

Following along for awesome monk shenanigans, cosplay, art and all that other good stuff.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following to watch you let go.

[JuiceeTarget]

1 hour ago, Jarric said:

So, have you thought about a reward for this challenge, if you're trying to mirror the September one?

Great question!

[JuiceeTarget]

I really like that you are doing a monk style challenge, and I love Beau as the "I don't really care about anything" outward persona with the inward persona of caring really hard.

I'm thinking of staying Ranger, but doing it a bit Druid-y so let me know if you need a big ugly druid in your party.

[Wild Wolf]

Haiiiiiiiiiii

 

 

Looks like an excellent challenge set-up!! 

 

2 hours ago, Starpuck said:

Art stuff

 

I need to commission you for another custom Wolfie art piece. I've been using the one you drew last year for EVERYTHING as far as branding goes and want to spice it up a little . Of course, when you are free with ZERO rush on it.

 

 

Wolf

[starpuck]

6 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Following to watch you let go.

 

Beautiful gif!  I love it!    Time to make less into more!

 

5 hours ago, GoodDoug said:

Great question!

 

5 hours ago, GoodDoug said:

I really like that you are doing a monk style challenge, and I love Beau as the "I don't really care about anything" outward persona with the inward persona of caring really hard.

I'm thinking of staying Ranger, but doing it a bit Druid-y so let me know if you need a big ugly druid in your party.

 

Oh yeah, I am staying Ranger, just thematically making it 'monk'.  I got chased back from the Assassins once by GM @tanktimus    -- I won't be doing that again anytime soon!    (It was actually very gentle, lol.)   And heck yeah.   Though only when you stop calling yerself an ugly druid.   How about an AWESOME druid!

 

5 hours ago, SheriffWolfpool said:

Haiiiiiiiiiii

 

 

Looks like an excellent challenge set-up!! 

 

I need to commission you for another custom Wolfie art piece. I've been using the one you drew last year for EVERYTHING as far as branding goes and want to spice it up a little . Of course, when you are free with ZERO rush on it.

 

 

Hit me up yo!   The more I get to practice doing things for people who ask, the better!   And I've been running low on the muse button lately.  Also - I've been toying with the slow process of changing styles a bit.   Moar practice moar practice!

 

 

Speaking of arts.   I did this one over last week and today.    It's the portrait for my fifth player, a human rogue-thief, who has caught the interest of the Raven Queen and is about to dabble into Warlock Hexblade because of it.    Her name is Serro, a young lass who works for the Constable as a finder of lost things.  "It takes a thief to find a thefted thing!"  

 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

1 hour ago, Starpuck said:

Hit me up yo!   The more I get to practice doing things for people who ask, the better!   And I've been running low on the muse button lately.  Also - I've been toying with the slow process of changing styles a bit.   Moar practice moar practice!

 

I've got something I'd like to ask you to do art-wise. I can PM you if you want to take on a commission.

[ladyofthebog]

Dude, d&d snack fest let’s consume it all is also a struggle for me! I used to make these elaborate feasts but unfortunately for everyone else I’ve pared it down for my own self! Love your challenge! 

[DarK_RaideR]

I had a fancy comment to make, but then decided against it, in the spirit of this challenge. A simple "good luck" will have to do instead.

[starpuck]

12 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

I've got something I'd like to ask you to do art-wise. I can PM you if you want to take on a commission.

Sure!   I'm always game to hear it out.  And if I think it's beyond my level to do well enough, I'll let ya know that too.   PM away!

 

12 hours ago, ladyofthebog said:

Dude, d&d snack fest let’s consume it all is also a struggle for me! I used to make these elaborate feasts but unfortunately for everyone else I’ve pared it down for my own self! Love your challenge! 

Oh that sounds delightful!   Sometimes I see those cute fancy healthy snacks, designed to look like bugs, and think I should do that for a session or two... then I am like, omg too much work for something that gets gobbled up hah.     Thanks for stopping by!   Grab an ale and a set of dice and make yourself at home.

 

1 hour ago, DarK_RaideR said:

I had a fancy comment to make, but then decided against it, in the spirit of this challenge. A simple "good luck" will have to do instead.

But what if I love fancy comments?       Thanks DR!

 

 

First day went well.   I got a lot done and tidied things up a bit around the house.   Had to wash my sheets since I went to bed on Sunday night, exhausted and covered in sun tan lotion and Ren Faire dust.  Also got a few games in which was nice.         Today, I got an email that Kia received my payment, so now I have to see when the beautiful title makes it back my way.  Woot woot.     Need to plan a day to get the car in for some repair and what not too.   If I go to *my* dealership (further drive) I'll get a rental car free for the day and that's worth it.   Just need to decide if it's worth showing up late to work with a rental, or take the day off and get other stuff done.

 

Something I hadn't mentioned, was that all weekend, and still today, I've been dealing with an odd injury.   Some research online lends toward the idea I have joint inflammation in the area where your ribs attach to your sternum.   I have, for many years, sometimes been able to 'pop' that spot in my chest and I woke up Saturday morning feeling like it was stuck that moment juuuust prior to popping.   I didn't even work out on Friday, so I think I slept oddly on it.  Anyway.  Still did a 16 mile bike ride (maybe a bad idea) and by the time I hit the zoo that night, coughing, laughing, sneezing, everything was super painful.   Sooo I haven't done anything since last week Thursday.  Today is the best it has felt, but it's still not all better.   Far as I can tell, this happens when you don't have enough mobility in your thoracic spine, and so it forces your ribs to seek the mobility elsewhere, aka, where they attach to the sternum.    It is one of the reasons I am strongly moving toward some more consistent mobility training.   Anyone ever have experience with this?  Any movements you've seen that help?

 

 

[Teros]

On 7/29/2019 at 12:33 PM, Starpuck said:

D&D terrain tiles

Oooh cool. What type?

 

On 7/29/2019 at 12:33 PM, Starpuck said:

Art stuff.  

 

What type of art?

 

17 hours ago, Starpuck said:

Speaking of arts.   I did this one over last week and today.   

That's pretty cool.  Is that the style you stick with?

[starpuck]

52 minutes ago, Teros said:

Oooh cool. What type?

 

It's sort of a Dwarven Forge alternative that I got last time.   Found it on ebay, super happy with the quality.   This was the set I got.

 

 

52 minutes ago, Teros said:

 

What type of art?

That's pretty cool.  Is that the style you stick with?

 

Sort of this anime-ish style.  It's what I used to copy from, and then I started doing tutorials on manga this and that.  It's not quite full anime style though, but I suppose that's how people end up with "their style".   I'm actually looking to change it up a bit, but I hear that's a process. :p   I really should throw this link into my signature since Tank gave me that title he gave me!   But yeah, a few years ago I decided I wanted to learn to do art stuff, so I could draw pics of my rpg games and adventures.   Still sticking with it, so that's cool!

 

Mah gallery is here!

 

 

 

[Yasha92]

Hey hey ‘puck~

Do you chew gum? When I am trying to curb the mindless DND snacking I chew gum, or brush my teeth right beforehand, so that my mouth feels engaged and I don’t want to wreck the minty freshness with chips or w/e.

Nice goal, nice reward


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jarric]

If your chest hurts like that and it's been affecting your breathing, I'd probably say it's worth speaking to a doctor to be on the safe side. Breathing's pretty important!

[Wild Wolf]

On 7/29/2019 at 7:01 PM, Starpuck said:

Hit me up yo!   The more I get to practice doing things for people who ask, the better!   And I've been running low on the muse button lately.  Also - I've been toying with the slow process of changing styles a bit.   Moar practice moar practice!

 

Swanky!! I'll send you some ideas via....discord? NF? FB? All the above? LOL! And if this helps you practice moar than I'm always down.

 

22 hours ago, Starpuck said:

Anyone ever have experience with this?  Any movements you've seen that help?

 

I actually deal with this sometimes. I notice that it's more in my sternum area and I have to back bend/stretch my arms back to "pop" this area. Sometimes I can't do it and it kind of hurts because it gets "stuck". I usually get it to pop later on, but the back bend stretch and foam rolling help a lot. I also try and stretch my chest out on either side like this image:

 

 

 I think this is happening to me because of my desk job and the possibility my shoulders roll forward from poor posture from time-to-time, but I don't really know. I try and mobilize my shoulders and stretch my chest out as often as possible. Hopefully that helps get you started in the right direction . 

 

On 7/29/2019 at 7:01 PM, Starpuck said:

 

Speaking of arts.   I did this one over last week and today.    It's the portrait for my fifth player, a human rogue-thief, who has caught the interest of the Raven Queen and is about to dabble into Warlock Hexblade because of it.    Her name is Serro, a young lass who works for the Constable as a finder of lost things.  "It takes a thief to find a thefted thing!"  

 

 

If this is your trend into art style change.. then I like it a lot! It's a beautiful piece!

 

Wolf

[starpuck]

17 hours ago, Yasha92 said:

Hey hey ‘puck~

Do you chew gum? When I am trying to curb the mindless DND snacking I chew gum, or brush my teeth right beforehand, so that my mouth feels engaged and I don’t want to wreck the minty freshness with chips or w/e.

Nice goal, nice reward

Hmm, not much of a gum chewer unfortunately.   The brushing teeth might work though!   I have done that before with some success.   I could also try to take better notes... >.>   Mostly the snack train hits when we get into combat and turns take a bit.

 

4 hours ago, Jarric said:

If your chest hurts like that and it's been affecting your breathing, I'd probably say it's worth speaking to a doctor to be on the safe side. Breathing's pretty important!

It's getting better now.   Lots of anti-inflammation protocols and a good long break.    It was just the one night that deep breaths hurt.  It's fine, it's fine!

 

2 hours ago, SheriffWolfpool said:

Swanky!! I'll send you some ideas via....discord? NF? FB? All the above? LOL! And if this helps you practice moar than I'm always down.

 

I actually deal with this sometimes. I notice that it's more in my sternum area and I have to back bend/stretch my arms back to "pop" this area. Sometimes I can't do it and it kind of hurts because it gets "stuck". I usually get it to pop later on, but the back bend stretch and foam rolling help a lot. I also try and stretch my chest out on either side like this image:

 

 I think this is happening to me because of my desk job and the possibility my shoulders roll forward from poor posture from time-to-time, but I don't really know. I try and mobilize my shoulders and stretch my chest out as often as possible. Hopefully that helps get you started in the right direction . 

 

If this is your trend into art style change.. then I like it a lot! It's a beautiful piece!

Yeah!  I have been able to pop that sternum bit in the past, but this time, it wasn't budging.    It's doing better today - and I do lots of foam rolling on my shoulders, and that very same stretch, after every work out!    So silly that this cropped up after a night of hard sleeping.  Stupid body.   Yes, hit me up on Discord if you like.    Jarric just did.   Lookit me!  With a list of people asking for stuff.  How exciting!   As for the change in style - nah, that's still mostly old style with a side of 'out of practice' lol.   Honestly, I felt that pic was one of my not so good ones, so I must be hitting that 'every artist hates their own stuff' thing.

 

Tues Update.

Yesterday went pretty well.     Tracked the food; got home and actually felt like exercising even though it wasn't planned for post-work time, and played some Dance Central for 40 minutes.   Felt good to get a sweat on.     Had a hard time falling asleep, but I account that to the mental thinking on our Don't Starve Game, as opposed to evening exercise.      I didn't get any tablet time in, but I did get a sketch in at work so cool there.   I have two sketches now ready to go right away into tablet work.   One of them being a commission for one of our lovely Rangers! 

 

Scale has been a butthead lately, but I am going to ignore it.  Just keep doing good things and it will be good.    Need to plot tomorrow's dinner idea for pre-D&D.   Oof.    So much to do lol.

 

Today, sketching has already happened.   Need to finish the last 10 minutes of the art lesson I started yesterday.   Work on the tablet.  Cut the grass, get in a light lift, and then play some Northgard with my buds.   Also - D&D prep is now a fast, hot priority!  Game on in 3 days!

[Teros]

22 hours ago, Starpuck said:

Dwarven Forge alternative that I got last time. 

Oh fuck yeah, that's cool.

 

22 hours ago, Starpuck said:

Sort of this anime-ish style. 

 

I like the Thrax pic. They're all pretty good. 

 

22 hours ago, Starpuck said:

I'm actually looking to change it up a bit, but I hear that's a process. :p 

 

Change it how so? The characters seem soft - like I don't see any evil-looking drawings.

1 hour ago, Starpuck said:

Scale has been a butthead lately, but I am going to ignore it. 

 

I can't stick with the scale - I glance every other month just to make sure I'm not fucking up royally and leave it to how my clothes feel.

[starpuck]

21 hours ago, Teros said:

Oh fuck yeah, that's cool.

I like the Thrax pic. They're all pretty good. 

Change it how so? The characters seem soft - like I don't see any evil-looking drawings.

I can't stick with the scale - I glance every other month just to make sure I'm not fucking up royally and leave it to how my clothes feel.

 

The art I am most attracted to is ... sort of more toward western comic style, but softer?   These are two good examples of the art I find attractive.

 

 

Midweek Update on Stuff - going well!

 

Goal 1:   Hone the Body with Mindful Movement

Move with Intention 5x/Week   ☒☒☐☐☐
Recovery Walk / Stretching Day 1x/Week   ☐

 

Goal 2:   Create a Wholeness of Body

Track Food Daily    ☒☒☒☐☐☐
Empty Hand Technique on Game Nights   ☐☐☐
 

Goal 3:   Focus on the Lesson of Less is More

Track Every. Last. Purchase Daily    ☒☒☒☐☐☐☐
Open Car Fund Acct  ☐
Close old Savings  ☐

 

Goal 4:   Seek not Perfection, but Discipline

Work on Art Stuff 4x / week   ☒☒☒☐
Complete at least 1 lesson / week  ☐
 

In other news.   Yesterday's strength work out had to be adjusted.  Pull ups bothered the sternum thingus, so I switched it to ring rows.   That did not hurt it.   I felt a spot in my back (a spot that gets like this sometimes) that has a knot and is real tight-- and while I can't be sure, I think if I were to follow that spot, all the way around the rib, it would line up perfectly to the rib connector that hurts up front.      The end solution here?  I need to prioritize a chiro visit in sooner, rather than later.   I might make it for Saturday morning and put the car's oil change another few days. 

 

Got some work in on the spell construct for @Jarric   last night and I cannot tell you how excited I am with how this is going.   It's a bit of a style shift, and I think- right in the middle between chibi and artsy as requested.  I'm also doing some new things with the coloring of it, and the shading and texturizing.  Fun fun!

 

Today is, D&D prep at work.   <.<  Shhhhhh!

Bike ride on lunch break.

Tacos with my gamer boyz after work.

Then D&D!  Where I practice my empty hand technique!

[JuiceeTarget]

40 minutes ago, Starpuck said:

The end solution here?  I need to prioritize a chiro visit in sooner, rather than later.

Hah! Cheaper than a Chiro, I get my kids to walk on my back when everything gets tight. They are almost too heavy to not injure me now, but nothing is more satisfying than a long string of *crack* sounds as they walk up and down my back.

 

Tonight, give those snacks the "Thousand yard stare" and put up the "Dragon palm of no thanks"

 

I'll be over here practicing the "Empty head technique"  

[Raxie]

ALL THESE D&D THEMED CHALLENGED THIS TIME AROUND I CAN'T HANDLE ITTTTT!!!!

 

I love your terrain tile rewards.  I just recently started building up my collection of miniatures and terrain pieces... and down the rabbit hole I have fallen hahah

 

Flurry of blows the heck outta this challenge, girl!

[Sloth the Enduring]

I have something similar. In high school I was punched in the chest and something cracked.

I haven’t had to worry about it in a while, but dumbbell pullovers help as does this stretch

[Jarric]

2 hours ago, Starpuck said:

Got some work in on the spell construct for @Jarric   last night and I cannot tell you how excited I am with how this is going.   It's a bit of a style shift, and I think- right in the middle between chibi and artsy as requested.  I'm also doing some new things with the coloring of it, and the shading and texturizing.  Fun fun!

 

Eeeeeeee! Exciting!

 

*ahem* that is all. Have fun at D&D tonight.

[Wild Wolf]

On 7/31/2019 at 11:03 AM, Starpuck said:

Yeah!  I have been able to pop that sternum bit in the past, but this time, it wasn't budging.    It's doing better today - and I do lots of foam rolling on my shoulders, and that very same stretch, after every work out!    So silly that this cropped up after a night of hard sleeping.  Stupid body.   Yes, hit me up on Discord if you like.    Jarric just did.   Lookit me!  With a list of people asking for stuff.  How exciting!   As for the change in style - nah, that's still mostly old style with a side of 'out of practice' lol.   Honestly, I felt that pic was one of my not so good ones, so I must be hitting that 'every artist hates their own stuff' thing.

 

I'm sorry to hear about that, Puck. I've had ones that get stuck but they eventually pop...so I dunno. I'm always worried about it not popping because it's not comfortable...not even a little. Maybe like Jarric said, maybe go see someone? Maybe a chiro? Let them know it's been happening often and they might help. I would like to think that finding stretches that work would continue to work but our bods are such weird devices!

 

I'm about to hit you up on discord, m'lady!  

 

Wolf