RogueLibrarian: I am one with the Force

[raptron]

1 hour ago, RogueLibrarian said:

 

FEELING ATTACKED

HEHEHE.

[Mad Hatter]

4 hours ago, RogueLibrarian said:

FEELING ATTACKED

Would never do such a thing. I'm merely pointing out the inconsistencies in your excuses reasoning. 

[RogueLibrarian]

Time for an update!

 

I'm absolutely swamped this week and I'm behind on a number of things. Sunday night I slept poorly again, and I felt crappy and missed karate class again. Did the math last night and I'm still fine to meet my class requirements for belt test (in about seven weeks; I don't have the exact date yet).

 

HOWEVER, I forgot that the work gym is closed this week. I was going to go in this afternoon and use the martial arts room to work on my belt form and maybe hit the cardio machines. I can at least get my push-ups in tonight, but ... ugh. It's in the mid-90s F this week, and outdoor exercise isn't incredibly practical either. I'm not sure what the plan is yet. Maybe just concede that I don't get 100% completion this week.

 

In related news, last night one of the karate instructors yelled "Hey, RL has great calves!"

 

It's true.

 

[sylph]

36 minutes ago, RogueLibrarian said:

 

In related news, last night one of the karate instructors yelled "Hey, RL has great calves!"

A little external validation never hurt anyone.

[Manarelle]

On 8/15/2019 at 2:41 PM, RogueLibrarian said:

In related news, last night one of the karate instructors yelled "Hey, RL has great calves!"

 

Hello well-earned ego boost.  Boo to the work gym being closed - was that for repairs or cleaning or something? Nice that you'll meet the class requirements - seven weeks seems so long, and yet so soon. 

[tourennatrix]

*sneaks in*

 

* Punching is so good for anxiety! I had an anxious rage fit a few weeks back and was all "I've known this has been a thing for years, how do I still not have a punchy solution?!"

* Excite for your nerdy writerly adventures coming up 

* Hell yeah blood pressure and sexy calves :3

 

I had to drop in because my friends are not celebrating my milestones like I know you all would.

Girafa is teaching me to (a) play berimbau, (b) sing a more advanced song, and (c) sing while playing the berimbau. Holy moly. He's been teaching me one song for over a month. The man has such patience. And today after I stumbled my way through the song while playing berimbau, he said he was impressed with my progress and I about died.

Earlier this evening, I totally got kicked in the face. Blade of the foot right to the cheekbone. I don't think it was a conscious 'I've been going easy on you, here let's up the stakes,' but it kinda felt like it XD Sadly(???) I don't think it'll leave any marks to show for this... accomplishment? It smarted for a minute, but I don't even feel any tenderness or bruising. If only I recovered from the rest of my ailments that quickly XD

 

Ok time to go sleep because school is still a thing but I'll try to stop by and say Hi every once in a while. Love all y'all kthxbai <3

[WhiteGhost]

On 8/16/2019 at 2:41 AM, RogueLibrarian said:

"Hey, RL has great calves!"

[Mad Hatter]

9 hours ago, tourennatrix said:

Ok time to go sleep because school is still a thing but I'll try to stop by and say Hi every once in a while. Love all y'all kthxbai <3

Love the drive by update! <3 My favourite part was about the questionable joy of getting kicked in the face.

[RogueLibrarian]

HELLO ALL. I'm just making peace with the fact that I'll be updating less frequently for a bit. Keeping up the goals pretty well, but I'm just not getting to the forums as much right now, lots going on demanding my attention.

 

On 8/19/2019 at 10:42 AM, Manarelle said:

Hello well-earned ego boost.  Boo to the work gym being closed - was that for repairs or cleaning or something? Nice that you'll meet the class requirements - seven weeks seems so long, and yet so soon. 

 

Yeah, work gym closes for a week for maintenance before classes start back up again. It'll be packed when I go back -- first few weeks of the semester are like January at most gyms....

 

Sparring classes count for two classes, so I'll have no trouble keeping up with the attendance requirements. I just need to get my form and technique in shape (and, uh, go to sparring).

 

11 hours ago, tourennatrix said:

*sneaks in*

 

HI! Good to hear from you!

 

11 hours ago, tourennatrix said:

* Punching is so good for anxiety! I had an anxious rage fit a few weeks back and was all "I've known this has been a thing for years, how do I still not have a punchy solution?!"

 

I mean, punching is good in a *lot* of situations.

 

11 hours ago, tourennatrix said:

* Excite for your nerdy writerly adventures coming up 

* Hell yeah blood pressure and sexy calves :3

 

Evidence.

 

 

11 hours ago, tourennatrix said:

I had to drop in because my friends are not celebrating my milestones like I know you all would.

 

Come on in!

 

11 hours ago, tourennatrix said:

Girafa is teaching me to (a) play berimbau, (b) sing a more advanced song, and (c) sing while playing the berimbau. Holy moly. He's been teaching me one song for over a month. The man has such patience. And today after I stumbled my way through the song while playing berimbau, he said he was impressed with my progress and I about died.

 

GREAT JOB

 

 

11 hours ago, tourennatrix said:

Earlier this evening, I totally got kicked in the face. Blade of the foot right to the cheekbone. I don't think it was a conscious 'I've been going easy on you, here let's up the stakes,' but it kinda felt like it XD Sadly(???) I don't think it'll leave any marks to show for this... accomplishment? It smarted for a minute, but I don't even feel any tenderness or bruising. If only I recovered from the rest of my ailments that quickly XD

 

Once in karate warmup, I got hit in the face by a dodge ball and I was disappointed that it didn't leave a mark. I wanted to be able to tell people truthfully "I got hit in the face by a black belt, nbd"

 

11 hours ago, tourennatrix said:

Ok time to go sleep because school is still a thing but I'll try to stop by and say Hi every once in a while. Love all y'all kthxbai <3

 

So glad to see you!

 

9 hours ago, WhiteGhost said:

 

MOO

 

1 hour ago, Mad Hatter said:

Love the drive by update! <3 My favourite part was about the questionable joy of getting kicked in the face.

 

Definitely.

 

So, updates!

 

Karate: I have to do three sparring classes in the next six or so weeks. Am still intimidated, but will do it, because I want that next belt. Thinking about getting one in this week just to rip off the band-aid and not cram them all in at the end of the test cycle (which is frowned upon).

 

MY KARATE FRIEND M IS BACK. I made a buddy in my first weeks of karate class and we'd been keeping up with each other and partnering because we were the white-belt noobs together, but she had to drop out for a while. She came back to class last night and it was so fun to have my partner back. She's only one belt behind me since I missed last test.

 

I am altering my push-up goal to fit my workout routine better, and also to support my karate. 1) Push-ups only on non-workout days, not 7 days a week. (Still 3 sets of 15.) 2) In addition to push-ups, 10 swing kicks per leg. (We are doing swing kicks this cycle: side stance, bring the knee up to chamber, extend the leg and sort of smack the target with the sole of your foot, then recoil and bring it down. It's hard.)

 

Push-up progress remains noticeably good and that feels great. I'm going to keep that steady for a while rather than trying to increase it quite yet.

 

I am a little bit sad about not going to Dragoncon this year. Will need to try Momocon in the spring so I can get my costume fix. (And Halloween is in two months.)

 

Loot?: I re-watched Rogue One again recently since I'd been thinking about it vis a vis this challenge, and I'm thinking it might be time for a new tattoo. Considering a lightsaber with "I am one with the Force" and "The Force is with me" along the blade. Just deciding whether it should be Luke's or Obi-Wan's saber.

[Manarelle]

On 8/26/2019 at 10:48 PM, tourennatrix said:

Girafa is teaching me to (a) play berimbau, (b) sing a more advanced song, and (c) sing while playing the berimbau. Holy moly. He's been teaching me one song for over a month. The man has such patience. And today after I stumbled my way through the song while playing berimbau, he said he was impressed with my progress and I about died.

 

Wow. That's... crazy impressive. Grats on the progress! (And boo to friends not celebrating accomplishments - glad you have somewhere to go to get that boost). 

 

On 8/26/2019 at 10:48 PM, tourennatrix said:

Earlier this evening, I totally got kicked in the face. Blade of the foot right to the cheekbone. I don't think it was a conscious 'I've been going easy on you, here let's up the stakes,' but it kinda felt like it XD Sadly(???) I don't think it'll leave any marks to show for this... accomplishment? It smarted for a minute, but I don't even feel any tenderness or bruising.

 

Oof, ow. Glad no permanent damage, but yeah I hear you on wanting a badge of honor.  Good luck with school!

 

On 8/27/2019 at 10:46 AM, RogueLibrarian said:

Karate: I have to do three sparring classes in the next six or so weeks. Am still intimidated, but will do it, because I want that next belt. Thinking about getting one in this week just to rip off the band-aid and not cram them all in at the end of the test cycle (which is frowned upon).

 

Just sayin... the sooner you go, the sooner you get past the sense of intimidation. *WE* know you're awesome, you just have to show the awesome to the teachers. 

 

On 8/27/2019 at 10:46 AM, RogueLibrarian said:

Push-up progress remains noticeably good and that feels great. I'm going to keep that steady for a while rather than trying to increase it quite yet.

 

Not an urgent question, but how do you do your pushups? My shoulders don't like doing them with upper arms perpendicular to the core, but have been making some progress with arms about 45° from core (closer to the sides, but not tucked in). Just curious if you had a preference or insight. 

 

On 8/27/2019 at 10:46 AM, RogueLibrarian said:

Loot?: I re-watched Rogue One again recently since I'd been thinking about it vis a vis this challenge, and I'm thinking it might be time for a new tattoo. Considering a lightsaber with "I am one with the Force" and "The Force is with me" along the blade. Just deciding whether it should be Luke's or Obi-Wan's saber.

 

Nice lootz...

[RogueLibrarian]

4 hours ago, Manarelle said:

Just sayin... the sooner you go, the sooner you get past the sense of intimidation. *WE* know you're awesome, you just have to show the awesome to the teachers. 

 

I mean, last time I had to spar with a middle school kid. (He went easy on me.)  

 

I am going tomorrow night. I will report in afterward, I promise.

 

4 hours ago, Manarelle said:

Not an urgent question, but how do you do your pushups? My shoulders don't like doing them with upper arms perpendicular to the core, but have been making some progress with arms about 45° from core (closer to the sides, but not tucked in). Just curious if you had a preference or insight. 

 

First: I don't know that I'm doing them right. Second: Yeah, I do them about how you're describing, 45 degrees or so sounds right. I think I've seen images indicating that that's the better position, but I have very little to base that on.

 

4 hours ago, Manarelle said:

Nice lootz...

 

Still hypothetical lootz. But my tattoo artist owes me one, so I think I'm going to message him soon.

[Manarelle]

6 hours ago, RogueLibrarian said:

First: I don't know that I'm doing them right. Second: Yeah, I do them about how you're describing, 45 degrees or so sounds right. I think I've seen images indicating that that's the better position, but I have very little to base that on.

 

From what I understand, if they work for you and aren't harming you, you're doing it right. I'm certainly no professional, though. Good luck with the sparring tomorrow.

[RogueLibrarian]

11 hours ago, Manarelle said:

From what I understand, if they work for you and aren't harming you, you're doing it right. I'm certainly no professional, though. Good luck with the sparring tomorrow.

 

Thanks! Also: scheduled tattoo day.

[RogueLibrarian]

Fought two brown belts, got hit a lot, got kicked in the junk once and fell on my ass once, and I feel great about the whole thing.

 

Instructor said I improved a lot just over the course of the hour as I took his coaching on board.

 

I am way more comfortable getting hit than I am hitting anyone. I think that'll pass.

 

One down, two to go. I will feel a lot more confident about the next one.

[Mad Hatter]

7 hours ago, RogueLibrarian said:

Fought two brown belts, got hit a lot, got kicked in the junk once and fell on my ass once, and I feel great about the whole thing.

Love it!

 

 

7 hours ago, RogueLibrarian said:

I am way more comfortable getting hit than I am hitting anyone. I think that'll pass.

I think this'd true for many people, especially for people (like myself) who haven't had any siblings that they played rough with.

[raptron]

12 hours ago, RogueLibrarian said:

Fought two brown belts, got hit a lot, got kicked in the junk once and fell on my ass once, and I feel great about the whole thing.

Loveee it, hahah.

 

12 hours ago, RogueLibrarian said:

Instructor said I improved a lot just over the course of the hour as I took his coaching on board.

SWEET.

 

On 8/29/2019 at 9:12 AM, RogueLibrarian said:

Thanks! Also: scheduled tattoo day.

Yessss, tattoo day.  I also another one scheduled soon.

[RogueLibrarian]

4 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

I think this'd true for many people, especially for people (like myself) who haven't had any siblings that they played rough with.

 

I think you're entirely right. I grew up with a younger sister and we never fought physically. (Verbally ... yes.) I never played team sports either. I'm generally very uncomfortable with physical aggression or anything adjacent to it. (Can you all tell?)

 

I'm glad the other two people in class were so much more advanced than me -- if it had been fellow novices I'd have been a lot less comfortable sparring with them. I'm sure I'll have to deal with that next time.

 

2 minutes ago, raptron said:

Yessss, tattoo day.  I also another one scheduled soon.

 

Raptron you cannot just SAY THAT and then not tell us the plan.

 

Yesterday I did a quick Photoshop sketch of what I'm planning. This'll be vertical along my lower leg. A week from Sunday. (I'm also going to add a lyric to my Bowie piece on my arm.)

[raptron]

1 minute ago, RogueLibrarian said:

I'm glad the other two people in class were so much more advanced than me -- if it had been fellow novices I'd have been a lot less comfortable sparring with them. I'm sure I'll have to deal with that next time.

Yep! But you'll definitely get more comfortable with exposure.

 

1 minute ago, RogueLibrarian said:

Raptron you cannot just SAY THAT and then not tell us the plan.

I'm getting a rearing greek sphinx and need to buff up my rolodex of bad riddles to ask people as a result. 

[RogueLibrarian]

2 hours ago, raptron said:

Yep! But you'll definitely get more comfortable with exposure.

 

Are you saying we have to fight naked at some point?

 

2 hours ago, raptron said:

I'm getting a rearing greek sphinx and need to buff up my rolodex of bad riddles to ask people as a result. 

 

Awesome. Can't wait to see this.

[raptron]

21 minutes ago, RogueLibrarian said:

 

Are you saying we have to fight naked at some point?

They didn't tell you? 

 

[RogueLibrarian]

23 hours ago, raptron said:

They didn't tell you? 

 

[Manarelle]

On 8/30/2019 at 9:43 AM, RogueLibrarian said:

Yesterday I did a quick Photoshop sketch of what I'm planning. This'll be vertical along my lower leg. A week from Sunday. (I'm also going to add a lyric to my Bowie piece on my arm.)

 

Nice. Gonna look amazing.

 

On 8/30/2019 at 9:48 AM, raptron said:

I'm getting a rearing greek sphinx and need to buff up my rolodex of bad riddles to ask people as a result. 

 

Love it. 

[RogueLibrarian]

Hi, friends --

 

Sorry to have vanished. Real world shit is interfering, taking Imperial fire, what have you -- having a mental health crash and trouble keeping up with all the things I have to keep up with. I'm good, I'm doing what I need to to take care of myself, don't worry. Doing my best to keep the fitness train rolling while all this goes on, with mixed success.

 

Here's a tattoo photo -- the color is terrible partly because of lighting, and partly because it looks a bit muddy brown for a few days until the skin heals:

 

 

 

[Manarelle]

4 hours ago, RogueLibrarian said:

Sorry to have vanished. Real world shit is interfering, taking Imperial fire, what have you -- having a mental health crash and trouble keeping up with all the things I have to keep up with. I'm good, I'm doing what I need to to take care of myself, don't worry. Doing my best to keep the fitness train rolling while all this goes on, with mixed success.

 

Uff, sorry to hear life is being rude to you, but yay for catching it and addressing it. Take care of you. 

 

Also, LOVE the tattoos, both look very nice, healing color change notwithstanding.