Bob the Bardbarian hunkers down for the winter to make some music

[Bob the Bardbarian]

So with winter break on its merry, little way, I'm taking the downtime to get some stuff sorted out.  I'll finally have some free time to myself, and I'm not going to waste a second of it.  I'm going to sort and organize my creative space, get back into working out, and for once, feel good about myself.  All while the sun too takes a freakin' vacation here in the Pacific Northwest.

 

For those of you reading one of these for the first time...

 

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.

 

Now with introductions out of the way, 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 - Set up lab

A computer lab.  Complete with workstations, microphone setup, and an electronics portion with a soldering iron.  I want to get into electronics, along with the other million hobbies I want to try.  At the very least, I can get everything set up, prepared, and ready to go.  This will be simple, but also a very long task to complete.

 

Side Quest - Record audio for "True Facts" video

This will be a continuation from last month's quest.  I've always wanted to do a "True Facts" video for YouTube, specifically about the bear.  Now comes step 2: recording the dialogue.  Having my lab set up first will help with this.  One quest for another, right?  For those who don't know what I'm talking about, head on over to YouTube, and search for "True Facts about the mantis shrimp". That'll give you some idea of what I'm shooting for.

 

A bard entertains!

I've always found myself comfortable being the center of attention.  Whether it's making people laugh and smile, through the gift of music, or just lending an ear to those in need, I love to entertain.  If you're playing D&D, and you see someone with a mandolin strapped to their back, odds are you're in for a hell of time.  I want to improve on that magnetism.  To be charismatic, humorous, wise, and churn out a couple of songs every now and then.  

 

Quest - Finish tracks for my second project album

This album has been in the works for a while.  It's definitely what you'd call a "concept album", but probably not the concept you'd expect.  And no, I'm not telling you what it is.  I'm saving that for a surprise

 

However, at the very least I can finish up the last of the music tracks for it, which shouldn't take long.  Perhaps if I accomplish enough, I might reach out to my fellow nerds with some assistance with it.

 

Side Quest - Create one song just for fun

Just something to show off to everyone.  I'll post it when it's ready.

 

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, losing weight, and living better.  THAT is how I want to 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.  I want the strength to move mountains, and the flexibility to handle everyday life.

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 5 days a week

I really need to get back into physical fitness.  Not just for my physical health, but mental as well.  With the sunlight severely diminished for the start of the winter season, I need to keep my spirits up, lest my depression overtake me.  Tonight, yes tonight, I'll get my clothes and playlist ready.  I must make a conscious effort to improve myself.

 

Side Quest - Make kits for the homeless

I make kits for the homeless.  Little bags filled with some food, and basic toiletries.  Nothing special really.  But now, I know they'll be needed more than ever with the cold.  I just need to know them out.

 

 

It feels so damn good to be back in the swing of things.  I feel like a nuclear powered freight train, ready to take on the world.  Someone get me a straight-jacket, 'cuz shit's about to get crazy.

Let the challenges begin!

[Aquarii]

I love this challenge so much. I don't know enough about all the characters in D&D and other fantasy games to knowledgeably self-identify, but I am pretty sure I would be a bard. I resonate with all three of your headlining points, because they are probably the three things I value most in how I interact with the people around me.

[Bob the Bardbarian]

A bard, more or less, is the roadie of the group.  By himself, he's... decent.  Surrounded by teammates, he makes everyone better at what they do.  That, and I can always appreciate a character class that can win battles with more than just damage output.  Makes it all the more exciting.

 

Thanks for checking out muh post!

[fitnessgurl]

*waves hello* Glad to see you!

[Aquarii]

7 hours ago, Bob the Bardbarian said:

A bard, more or less, is the roadie of the group.  By himself, he's... decent.  Surrounded by teammates, he makes everyone better at what they do.  That, and I can always appreciate a character class that can win battles with more than just damage output.  Makes it all the more exciting.

 

Thanks for checking out muh post!

 

That does sound like an interesting character. I just tend to be biased towards anything that has to do with music and performance, since that is my primary passion and what I got my degree in, haha.

[shaar]

As someone that also strongly identifies as a bardbarian may I just say THIS IS AWESOOOOOOME (I'm good at both motivating AND yelling and also punching things with a MOTIVATIONAL FIST)

 

I love the homeless kit idea dude.  It IS special really. ^________^

[Arkania]

Omg this is SO COOL!

I am jumping up and down in my seat because I am so excited about your challenge!

The bard thing hit me hard, I might be one...? 😦

I know I am a jack of all trades aka scanner (Barbara Sher) aka multipotentialite and now you inspired me to think about " my EQ list, my overall story, my end goals, but more than anything, who exactly did I want to become " not just here but also in RL.

Thank you so much!

And now I am reading the rest of your first post

So, you have already inspired someone

 

[Jean]

Still a big fan of your approach. I love the homeless kit and am looking forward to listen to your song.

 

Keep being fabulous!

[Bob the Bardbarian]

So, this isn't the song I wanted to create for fun, but it is one that I've been wanting to finish for a while.  You might call it something of an experiment, rather than an actual song.  Description's in the link, and if you enjoy it enough, you can download it for free.

 

 

[Bob the Bardbarian]

Homeless kits complete!

[Wild Wolf]

From one fellow bard to another-

 

 

Loving the challenge set up  

 

Wolf

[Maggie-Miau]

Heyoo, Bob, just wanted to tell you that i  l o v e  your character write-up/description. It's so cool how you thought everything out and made the Bard class work for NF and vice versa. Also loving your kits for the homeless, what a great thing to do ❤️ hope all is well with you! How's your Challenge going? Cheering for you!

 

[Bob the Bardbarian]

Hey Maggie-Miau!

 

My challenges have been... challenging.  And no, no pun intended.  Getting my lab set up has been a lesson in patience and planning, trying to get everything set up.  What's even more frustrating is how many of my other challenges rely on getting my lab set up.

 

However, I'm happy, and busy, and I have a lot to be grateful for during the holiday season.  And I still feel like I'll be able to get it all done.

 

Thank you so much for your encouraging words

[Bob the Bardbarian]

Ooooo this is gonna sting...

 

I really, rrreeeaaallllllyyy didn't want to update this challenge post.  Because I failed.  Miserably.  And I know all of you are "There there it's alright, everyone drops the ball sometimes".  But the thing is, I felt like I dropped the ball off a cliff into an active volcano.  And even the volcano was disappointed in my ball dropping skills, and posted about it on his Twitter.

 

Still, one cannot improve if one doesn't observe their mistakes, and improves on them.  As disheartening as it is to write all this out... I have to.  I'll never get better if I don't plan ahead for next time.

 

So, with that in mind, let's get this train wreck uh' rollin'...

Quest - Set up lab - INCOMPLETE!

What I thought would be a simple ordeal ended up becoming a friggin' nightmare.  I was hoping to hook up 2 machines to the same monitor.  Well, first I needed to reorganize the space.  Then the video connectors wouldn't work for VGA ports.  THEN after I got everything hooked up and running, wouldn't ya know it, machine #2 wasn't booting up.  Keep in mind I was trying to fix this crap all throughout the holidays, and by the time I got everything connected, I gave up.  The thing is, since I was trying to focus on getting my rigs up and running, it took a lot of focus from my other quests, and nearly every other one suffered because of it.  Which is why you're gonna be seeing a lot more red.

 

Side Quest - Record audio for "True Facts" video - INCOMPLETE!

No working rig means no microphone.  See above.

 

Quest - Finish tracks for my second project album - INCOMPLETE!

No working rig means no music.  Honestly, I had a lot more songs to finish than I expected, so this one was my bad for thinking I could take on so much in such a short amount of time.  Lesson learned.

 

Side Quest - Create one song just for fun - Partially Complete

I started working on a fun track before I started setting up my lab, and I actually got a decent start on a track I was interested in finishing.  I'll be saving it for the next challenge month.

 

Quest 4 - Workout 5 days a week - INCOMPLETE!

Oooh boy did I bomb this one.  I didn't work out once.  Not once.  I felt stuck, trying to figure out what I wanted to do as far as physical fitness, and I spent a lot of time soul searching, figure out who I really wanted to be, and what parts of me I wanted to focus on.  For those of you who pay attention, I actually switched back to being a Rebel for a few days.  But... I think I've found my place with the druids.  I've spent enough time in the warrior's camp, and I think it's time to try something different.  Next month will be better.

 

Side Quest - Make kits for the homeless - COMPLETE!

Well.... at least ONE got completed.

 

See you next month!