Cry Havoc: The Sanctum Parabellum™ v1.2 "Ascention"

[Rurik Harrgath]

We stand on the precipice of damnation, but I don’t know about you – I’ve stood here before.  In answering the Sigil’s call, I have scoured the Beyond with a fanatical drive for knowledge and a single-minded fervor for obliterating any who get in my way.  Much arcane lore has passed unto me since.  My mind is as keen a weapon as those carried in my hands. 

Though few in number, we Nephilim are terrible in our majesty.  Even our progenitors the winged angels and horned demonkind fear our potential.  And they are right to.  I am a reckoning that none wish calling at their door.  The Plague has eased somewhat and I am prepared to embark upon a dreadful crusade and extend my iron will upon the Beyond.  Chaos, the Void, reality and unreality, Heaven or Hell, these trivial realms mean nothing to me.  I have transcended above physical planes and now answer a higher calling – my Path.  The Sigil’s burning brand reminds me I am inexorable.  I am the walking embodiment of Elysium, Purgatory, and Apocalypse all in one.  Those I hunt shall come to know me... and despair.

Welcome to the Sanctum Parabellum, the Last Stronghold and Fortress-Monastery of Harrgath.

 

 

Continuing with my 2020 challenge theme of a sanctum from which to launch my campaign against bad habits and negative behavior or thinking patterns, this challenge will be my Fortress Monastery to prepare for whatever undertakings I shall embark on in the New Year; and my life/body is the [Artifact] to be forged. 

 

Here stand the tenets of my Sigil Oath.

 

• Apothecarium:  Whole foods and intuitive nutrition.

• Monastery Maintenance:  Complete two "major" home tasks (cleaning or renovation projects) per week.

• Artifact Research & Armory:  Five Muay Thai @ Home workouts per week.  Yoga thrice weekly. Three runs/rucks.

• Chamber of Reflection:  Self-care, Shuffle practice, and 7-day challenges.

• Librarium:  Self-improvement through NF forum participation, stoicism studies and writing pursuits, or memes.

[Rurik Harrgath]

Reserved

[darkfoxx]

Following as always - and giggling at the hive-mind: I almost chose the same room when thinking of what graphic to use for the Druid cabin this cycle. 

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

I love the idea of self improvement through memes.

 

I also love you my brother, and am here to stand by your side as chaos finds itself impotent to destroy your iron will.

[shaar]

Hi Rurik! I just saw your vlog from the last challenge and your BEARD is MAJESTIC as HELL. (Also majestic: you.)

 

+10 for the memes.  And you know, all the goals....

[RES]

Here to follow along again  

[Terra]

I'm here.

[DarK_RaideR]

Here to WAAAAAAAGH! you back in line, if necessary.

[Wild Wolf]

Following my friend. Also... I noticed your Tyler Rake profile pic. DUUUUDE! Extraction was SUCH a badass movie! I wanna go back and watch it again.

 

 

Wolf

[Rurik Harrgath]

[Sanctum Parabellum Quest Log]

Challenge Journal:  Date of 05.06.020M3

Weight:  222.4 lbs

First entry into the new Log!  I'm feeling a little blase about working out this week, and since this aligns with Week 0 and World of Warcraft has been my Happy Place™ this week, I'm just kind of rolling with that to allow a "De-Load Week."  Just going to slow things down a bit, get a few workouts in when I can, keep up my runs and get some short yoga sessions in, that hit the ground running hard next week.

This update brought to you by...

...This absolute legend of a mountain lion I came across on Instagram a while back.  One of the recurring fitness inspirations I keep tucked away in the back of my mind is a passage from one of Robert E. Howard's characterizations of Conan the Barbarian as being mightily strong, but agile, lithe, and panther like,  That paired with snow leopards being my absolute favorite (read: spirit) animal, this particular Mountain King really stuck with me.  #GoalsAF

• Apothecarium (Nutrition):  ☑☑☐☐☐☐☐
• Monastery Maintenance (Clean):  ☐☐☐
• Artifact Research & Armory (Training):  ☐☐☐☐☐.☐☐☐.☑☑☐
• Chamber of Reflection (Self-care):  I started playing Warcraft again (even boosted a new character, a Shadow Priest) and I'm just kind of letting myself enjoy that simplicity.
• Librarium (Study):  Planning a master bedroom refresh using the almighty power of Pinterest.

Ongoing To-Do List mini-quests…

• ☐ Read:  [In Progress]  Currently The Rational Male and Deathwatch Omnibus. 
• ☐ Monastery: [In Progress]  Finish Laundry room pantry.
• ☐ Dr Appt: Re-scheduled indefinitely due to COVID-19.
• ☐ Journey to 8000: Post more, check in with friends.

 

On 5/4/2020 at 1:09 AM, darkfoxx said:

Following as always - and giggling at the hive-mind: I almost chose the same room when thinking of what graphic to use for the Druid cabin this cycle.

 

It's the perfect mix of modern and ancient, arcane and mysterious, comfortable and austere. 

 

On 5/4/2020 at 10:14 AM, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

I love the idea of self improvement through memes.

 

I also love you my brother, and am here to stand by your side as chaos finds itself impotent to destroy your iron will.

 

Sometimes iron gets a little malleable when overheated, hence my "de-load week." 

 

On 5/4/2020 at 10:20 AM, loire said:

Hi Rurik! I just saw your vlog from the last challenge and your BEARD is MAJESTIC as HELL. (Also majestic: you.)

 

+10 for the memes.  And you know, all the goals....

 

THANK YOU, SHAAR

 

 

Little known fact, majestic is actually my preferred adjective. 

 

On 5/4/2020 at 1:34 PM, RES said:

Here to follow along again  

 

Glad to have you!

 

On 5/4/2020 at 3:54 PM, Terra said:

I'm here.

 

 

7 hours ago, DarK_RaideR said:

Here to WAAAAAAAGH! you back in line, if necessary.

 

I'll surely need it at some point.  You may notice the enigmatic Lord Cypher has taken up residence as my forum avatar. 

 

 

Tragically there aren't a lot of 40k gifs, but the ones out there are truly epic.

 

6 hours ago, Wild Wolf said:

Following my friend. Also... I noticed your Tyler Rake profile pic. DUUUUDE! Extraction was SUCH a badass movie! I wanna go back and watch it again.

 

 

Such an awesome movie, and that push kick was legit the highlight of the entire flick!

 

What did you think of the ending?  I totally want to believe it's him, but the whole 'multiple gun wounds and falling into the filthiest river in the world....' bit, I dunno. 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

That cat is seriously ripped.

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

So are you on your 4 days of work or.........

[Rurik Harrgath]

[Sanctum Parabellum Quest Log]

Challenge Journal:  Date of 11.06.020M3

Weight:  219.4 lbs

Even though I committed to taking Week 0 super easy and had a couple of arguably lousy eating days, I still managed to climb downward on the scale and finally crack below 220lbs again.  Super thrilled about that!  It threw a bit of nitroglycerine back into the tank so I got a good W3D3 run in on 10k Runner, 20mins of Muay Thai, and a quick ab burner after.

Since the challenge begins in earnest tomorrow and I'm back to work for 2 days (I have my nights off from a canceled trip), I'm excited to see what I can achieve coming up.

Tom Holland balancing a kettlebell is basically me juggling my lifestyle goals. #oops #nevermindigotthis

• Apothecarium (Nutrition):  ☑☑☑☑☐☑☐☐
• Monastery Maintenance (Clean):  ☑☑☐
• Artifact Research & Armory (Training):  ☑☐☐☐☐.☐☐☐.☑☑☑+1
• Chamber of Reflection (Self-care):  Warcraft.
• Librarium (Study): 

Ongoing To-Do List mini-quests…

• ☐ Read:  [In Progress]  Currently The Rational Male and Deathwatch Omnibus. 
• ☐ Monastery: [In Progress]  Finish Laundry room pantry.
• ☐ Dr Appt: Re-scheduled indefinitely due to COVID-19.
• ☐ Journey to 8000: Post more, check in with friends.

 

On 5/6/2020 at 2:59 PM, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

That cat is seriously ripped.

21 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

So are you on your 4 days of work or.........

 

I'm here!

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

1 hour ago, Rurik Harrgath said:

Nice to know Spiderman Struggles with Reverse Lunges too.

 

 

Congrats on the weight loss!

[Rurik Harrgath]

1 hour ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said:

Nice to know Spiderman Struggles with Reverse Lunges too.

 

Congrats on the weight loss!

 

I think it's okay to struggle with something even the world's most coordinated superhero has difficulty with.  Although, that said, that might make me the only human who prefers reverse lunges to frontward step - it really saves my knees and keeps my legs aligned vertical properly.

 

I mean, as often as I bother to do lunges these days...

 

Thanks bud!

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

5 minutes ago, Rurik Harrgath said:

I think it's okay to struggle with something even the world's most coordinated superhero has difficulty with.  Although, that said, that might make me the only human who prefers reverse lunges to frontward step - it really saves my knees and keeps my legs aligned vertical properly.

 

I mean, as often as I bother to do lunges these days.

You'll get no judgement from me. When something calls for reverse lunges I just do split squats.

[Sloth the Enduring]

I much prefer reverse lunges to all others too.

[Rurik Harrgath]

Two day shifts complete, first day off and super out of sorts.  I'm blaming COVID but honestly just a little blah.  Didn't workout, but I'm making tasty BBQ pulled pork in my crockpot and picked up oats for my carbs today.  Listening to some David Goggins running inspiration, but probably won't run today.  I don't even particularly want to play Warcraft today.

 

But I watched a Minimalism on the weekend (or whenever it was, days of the week matter much less as a shiftworker) that introduced me to a simple tenet... when you get something new, or pick something up, or use something, or are done with something... simply return it to its place.  Throw that garbage wrapper out, put that t-shirt away after you change, rinse that plate, etc.  I can't figure out a way to make this a challenge goal, but I'm implementing it so far and it's creating a Zen-like sense of calm in that act so far.

 

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

49 minutes ago, Rurik Harrgath said:

Two day shifts complete, first day off and super out of sorts.  I'm blaming COVID but honestly just a little blah.  Didn't workout, but I'm making tasty BBQ pulled pork in my crockpot and picked up oats for my carbs today.  Listening to some David Goggins running inspiration, but probably won't run today.  I don't even particularly want to play Warcraft today.

 

But I watched a Minimalism on the weekend (or whenever it was, days of the week matter much less as a shiftworker) that introduced me to a simple tenet... when you get something new, or pick something up, or use something, or are done with something... simply return it to its place.  Throw that garbage wrapper out, put that t-shirt away after you change, rinse that plate, etc.  I can't figure out a way to make this a challenge goal, but I'm implementing it so far and it's creating a Zen-like sense of calm in that act so far.

 

That is by far the easiest way to keep a place tidy.

[RES]

On 5/14/2020 at 5:08 PM, Rurik Harrgath said:

I can't figure out a way to make this a challenge goal

domestic rangering 

[Terra]

On 5/14/2020 at 3:08 PM, Rurik Harrgath said:

Listening to some David Goggins running inspiration

I just finished reading "Can't Hurt Me" this morning and I didn't connect with a lot of it. That dude is totally gonzo, nut balls!  I'll pull out a couple of his lessons (goals on my mirror, the cookie jar and more stretching) and then I'll use his logic on my hubby (who loved the book and connected with David's ideas.) 

 

Love it when the numbers move in the right direction!!!