Scaly Freak attempts to slow down and sleep, one more time

[Scaly Freak]

It is still too early to feel like fall weather yet, but it is also too late to be summer. The beautiful sunny day is in that nearly perfect place in between the two, the one that is warm and bright, but not so much that it is unpleasant. It feels like autumn wants to be in the air. The afternoon smells fresh, like a clean new beginning. And it's terrible.

 

For as long as Scalyfreak can remember, every single time she has found a peaceful spot to relax and enjoy the sunshine, that has been the start of an ordeal, or a drawn-out fight with something large and powerful she barely understands. Most recently, that something has been Self -Sabotage, the silent, often invisible demon that whispers on the wind and hunts with endless patience.

 

The road is empty. The sky is blue. There is not a single living thing in sight, and the landscape around Scaly Freak is peaceful and quiet. Too quiet...

 

A combination of instinct and experience prompts Scalyfreak to draw her sword before she reaches the curve in the path up ahead, and to slow down and veer off the path enough so she can see around the bend, and look for an ambush. But there is nothing. Nothing to see, nothing to hear... and that only makes her more cautious, and she is not the least bit surprised when the air over the path begins to vibrate, darken, and take on a very familiar shape.

 

“You again. Really. I am so surprised and astonished to see you here, waiting for me. It's so unusual for you.”

 

Self-Sabotage tilts its large head and smiles, a familiar, sinister, and condescending smile. “Silly human, surprising you would be counter-productive. It would deprive you of the pleasure of anticipating my company.”

 

Scalyfreak lowers her sword, but keeps a firm grip on it, and brings her shield up at the ready. “Feel free to give me lots of opportunities to anticipate, by staying far away from me for as long as possible.”

 

The large beast begins hissing, a rhythmical hissing noise complete with shaking shoulders. It is laughing.

 

Scalyfreak sighs, an exaggerated theatrical sigh, and shakes her head. “I guess that was too much to ask for.”

 

“Not at all, silly human. It is very easy for you to avoid me for a long as you wish to.” The laughter has stopped and a smile that is neither warm or friendly curves dark monster lips and reveals sharp teeth. “All you have to do is go back to that bunker you like so much.”

 

Scalyfreak frowns and takes a cautious step back. That sounds far too easy, and yet it makes perfect sense. Stay in the bunker, with its wards, and shields, and its ability to keep everyone away, including the demons that stalk her, and she will be safe. “That seems a little too easy. And too helpful, coming from you.” While she talks, Scalyfreak slowly lowers and turns her left arm and hand out, showing she is not hiding a weapon behind the shield.

 

“You built the bunker to keep you safe... I am simply confirming that it's working.” The creature smiles. It is not a friendly smile.

 

Scalyfreak contemplates this. Go back to the bunker and live in safety and isolation... she smiles. She nods. And she lifts her left hand in a tossing motion and sends a large sphere of thick red flames straight into Self-Sabotage's face.

 

 

 

So here we are, at the start of Week 2, and I am finally posting my challenge.  

 

It is a simple and straight forward challenge. I need to find a way to go to my new gym and spend time with the barbells, while I also find a way to get enough sleep, somehow. I also really need to stay on top of my reading challenges, because I really want that book bag.

 

And that is it. I will figure out the details as I go.

 

Lastly, for those of you who don't know me very well yet:

 

Spoiler

 

I cheerfully approach all my challenges as video game quests, with boss fights and level grinding, I have re-framed my anxiety into pyromancy, because it's very destructive when it flares up and gets out of control. But like the pyromancy flame, if the chaos is embraced and can be harnessed, all that energy can be used against against my enemies. In fireball form.

I don't really have a good track record in my boss fights so far:

 

• Self-Sabotage reflects every attack or spell I throw at her, and it hurts. She also drains levels and health, and heals herself with what she drains from her opponent.

  • Current strategy: Run and hide and hope she won't find me (but she always does).

• Procrastination is good at hiding and then hitting me with a back-stab when I least expect it.

  • Current strategy: Ignore; deal with her later.

• Self-Indulgence was gradually convinced it would be easier for her to reach her goal if we worked together. Before the alliance fell apart on its own, Self-Indulgence was viciously attacked by a very angry unicorn.

  • Current strategy: Dance on her grave

• Stress-Hydra spawns whenever too many things are happening at once, or when something really big and overwhelming happens, and cutting off one of her heads makes no difference because it re-spawns almost immediately.

  • Current strategy: The Herakles Technique: Ask a trusted friend to help

 

I'm currently dual-classing as a Warrior Druid, because meditation is a great way to quietly build Endurance and Resilience stats while figuring out how to make my need for sleep work with my need to go to the gym and lift barbells.

 

 

[Harriet]

2 hours ago, Scaly Freak said:

So here we are, at the start of Week 2, and I am finally posting my challenge.  

 

 

It is a simple and straight forward challenge. I need to find a way to go to my new gym and spend time with the barbells, while I also find a way to get enough sleep, somehow. I also really need to stay on top of my reading challenges, because I really want that book bag.

 

And that is it. I will figure out the details as I go.

 

Yay for gym and fireballs and sleep! Good luck making it all fit and work well.

 

That's actually a beautiful looking pale blue snow monster.

 

2 hours ago, Scaly Freak said:

 

  Hide contents

• Procrastination is good at hiding and then hitting me with a back-stab when I least expect it.

  • Current strategy: Ignore; deal with her later.

 

 

Lol. That was a joke, right? Right?

[h3r0]

Fireball, fireball, fireball! I need to learn pyromancy myself. Something I will contemplate. 

 

Good luck with the challenge. Get some sleep and show the barbell who's boss. 

[Scaly Freak]

7 hours ago, Harriet said:

That's actually a beautiful looking pale blue snow monster.

 

That is Aava, the King's Pet, from Dark Souls 2. She is invisible, unless you wear a very specific accessory, which is one of the main reasons I've picked her to symbolize Self-Sabotage.

 

7 hours ago, Harriet said:

Lol. That was a joke, right? Right?

 

If you say so.  

[Tobbe]

I was expecting at least one music video link in here by now. But since there is none I guess I'll get started with this one 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

 

 

[Jupiter]

Following!  

[Scaly Freak]

3 hours ago, Tobbe said:

I was expecting at least one music video link in here by now. But since there is none I guess I'll get started with this one 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

 

Nah, this is a much better fit.  

 

 

[Jupiter]

23 minutes ago, Scaly Freak said:

Nah, this is a much better fit.  

 

 

Ooh, love Halestorm! 

[Tobbe]

The mind is funny. You write Halestorm, my mind reads Alestorm and then it jumps to Mr. Hurley & Die Pulveraffen just because a German friend said he was at a live music festival where they were playing  🧠🎶

 

 

Also -- I'm so jealous they have music festivals in Germany! I've been missing live music! Had tickets to Rammstein in Gothenburg 2020. Got rebooked to 2021, and now I don't even know what the status is…

[Mad Hatter]

On 9/19/2021 at 9:00 AM, Scaly Freak said:

Procrastination is good at hiding and then hitting me with a back-stab when I least expect it.

• Current strategy: Ignore; deal with her later.

My favourite way of dealing with procrastination. 😂

 

[Mistr]

Good to see you!

 

Nice simple goals. Not easy, but simple.

 

Your description of your monsters reminds me of some of the lessons I have learned in my training.

 

• How I feel and what I can do are two separate things. I can be terrified and still go into battle appearing calm. The mantra for this is "today is a good day to die (and you are going down with me)"
• I can do things when I am tired or hungry. It is best if the things are actions rather than making decisions. My decisions are questionable when I am tired and hungry. 
• Conflicts go better when you choose the setting and timing. If you know a problem is coming at you and facing it is your best option, set things up so it happens on your time.
• I need to be especially careful when I am feeling good and full of energy. Like your sunny days, there is something hiding around the corner. I need to remember to use some of that energy to set things up for later, so I have shelter and supplies for the hard times.

You absolutely can beat these bosses. You just need to get the right weapons and spells to set up the fights.

[sarakingdom]

Quote

Scaly Freak attempts to slow down and sleep, one more time

 

[Scaly Freak]

7 hours ago, Mistr said:

Your description of your monsters reminds me of some of the lessons I have learned in my training.

 

• How I feel and what I can do are two separate things. I can be terrified and still go into battle appearing calm. The mantra for this is "today is a good day to die (and you are going down with me)"
• I can do things when I am tired or hungry. It is best if the things are actions rather than making decisions. My decisions are questionable when I am tired and hungry. 
• Conflicts go better when you choose the setting and timing. If you know a problem is coming at you and facing it is your best option, set things up so it happens on your time.
• I need to be especially careful when I am feeling good and full of energy. Like your sunny days, there is something hiding around the corner. I need to remember to use some of that energy to set things up for later, so I have shelter and supplies for the hard times.

 

Soooo... the Book of Five Rings, with some ideas borrowed from Sun Tzu?  Personally, I prefer Syrio Forel's ideas about whether today is a good day to die or not (it's not!), but I agree with all the rest and have noticed very similar things in my own "training" when gradually learning how to deal with the demon monsters who keep following me around.

 

One of the reasons I've begun planning my evenings and weekends is because that way I can make the important decisions before I become tired or hungry. Case in point: I've decided that I will go to the gym and lift things tonight. It matter not how tired I become, because the decision has already been made, when I was well fed and happy and in my right mind. now I just need to stick with it and act on it.  

 

 

[Scaly Freak]

1 hour ago, Scaly Freak said:

 

One of the reasons I've begun planning my evenings and weekends is because that way I can make the important decisions before I become tired or hungry. Case in point: I've decided that I will go to the gym and lift things tonight. It matter not how tired I become, because the decision has already been made, when I was well fed and happy and in my right mind. now I just need to stick with it and act on it.  

 

 

 

I am posting this between sets at the gym. The decision was already made. 

[Scaly Freak]

 

This weekend, at The Lux, featuring Mr. Morningstar himself on the piano.... 

 

[Mad Hatter]

15 hours ago, Scaly Freak said:

One of the reasons I've begun planning my evenings and weekends is because that way I can make the important decisions before I become tired or hungry

Smart!

[Scaly Freak]

On 9/21/2021 at 10:39 PM, Scaly Freak said:

 

I am posting this between sets at the gym. The decision was already made. 

 

I completely neglected to account for, or prepare for, the after-effects of pushing myself to squat a heavy weight for three sets of five (heavy by my re-newbie standards).

 

My quads hurt.

[Harriet]

13 hours ago, Scaly Freak said:

 

I completely neglected to account for, or prepare for, the after-effects of pushing myself to squat a heavy weight for three sets of five (heavy by my re-newbie standards).

 

My quads hurt.

 

Squats for the win!!! (All I see here is heavy squats, and win. Consequences are immaterial).

 

[Scaly Freak]

3 hours ago, Harriet said:

 

Squats for the win!!! (All I see here is heavy squats, and win. Consequences are immaterial).

 

I like how you think. 

 

I have discovered that my quads hurt less if I apply patient stretching. So that's what I have been doing while pretending to work today. 

[Mistr]

Stretching is good. I find my quads get tight from sitting at a desk all day with limited walking around. Adding exercise on top of that makes them scream. Thankfully it does not take much stretching to get them to calm down. I hope the same is true for you.

[Scaly Freak]

6 minutes ago, Mistr said:

Stretching is good. I find my quads get tight from sitting at a desk all day with limited walking around. Adding exercise on top of that makes them scream. Thankfully it does not take much stretching to get them to calm down. I hope the same is true for you.

 

Exactly!

 

Since I started stretching in in short intervals, my quads are no longer screaming at me. They're still hurting, but I'll take that as long as they suffer in silence.

[Mad Hatter]

On 9/24/2021 at 6:37 AM, Scaly Freak said:

My quads hurt.

It's only their way of saying welcome back. 😄

[Scaly Freak]

Another postmodern Jukebox, because this is brilliant.

 

 

[Loveable_Bouncer]

Following to observe your lifting habit! 

May your quads scream less!

[Harriet]

Any more sleep or barbells?