sarakingdom Posted February 4 Report Share Posted February 4 While this is supposedly a Doctor Who themed year, I tend to do a special Valentines themed February, to be hot and shallow and slightly drunk. (Mostly shallow, as I still largely aspire to either of the other two.) So we will have a short diversion. After all, one can get into a rut. 1. Strength training Dating on Vulcan requires a lot more combat than you might expect. So physical training is important. But what will not do is upsetting the delicate hormonal balance that keeps you from killing half a dozen people with sharpened hockey stick. To keep cortisol down, the goal is one single strength exercise a day, from this list: plank, bridge, horse stance, superman, maybe some rowing if I'm feeling it. Also, my stupid daily walk for my stupid mental and physical health. Spoiler I will count anything. The goal is consistency. But I do want giant muscles, cuz I have people to beat with a lirpa, so strength. Goal: be strong, do an exercise 2. Eat the plomik soup. Dating on Vulcan requires correct fueling of the body. We're aiming for closer to therapeutic keto this time around. Brain needs ketones. I don't know if we'll get to that macro split, but we can manage a stick of butter. Goal: eat a stick of butter (or equivalent fats) Goal: drink a gallon of water 3. Rest Dating on Vulcan requires quality sleep, or at least some quality meditation. Goal: 11pm bedtime with meditation. 4. Emotional Management This is me lately. Also, I recently heard someone say that time management these days is really emotion management, and I think that's very true. For me, this also hits some ADHD stuff, cuz ADHD tends to magnify strong emotions. I'm gonna practice spotting and reacting to emotions or emotional spirals (hopefully not too many of those). Treating the don't-wannas with rest counts. Goal: one emotional intervention Bonus: Vulcan eye makeup Vulcans play a good eyeshadow game, so this probably requires at least some eyeliner. Okay, wait, this challenge is entirely inappropriate for a February challenge. It involves actual stuff, and not, like, stocking my bar and upgrading my wardrobe. I may need to reconsider this. Sigh. Vulcans do not know how to have a good time. 12 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Tanktimus the Encourager Posted February 5 Report Share Posted February 5 Following this challenge would be most logical. 4 Quote Current Challenge "By the Most-Righteous-and-Blessed Beard of Sir Tanktimus the Encourager!" - Jarl Rurik Harrgath Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted February 5 Author Report Share Posted February 5 37 minutes ago, Snarkyfishguts said: 1 2 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted February 5 Author Report Share Posted February 5 Week 0 Day 0 As a woman on Vulcan, it is my right to declare a challenge. It is day zero of week zero, and the previous challenge is done. I hereby declare this a challenge. Normally one gets a respected Vulcan matriarch to preside over important ceremonies, so we shall call on T'Pau. As she has said at the start of many ceremonies, "This is the Vulcan heart, this is the Vulcan soul. This is our way." Or in other words: 2 1 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Scaly Freak Posted February 5 Report Share Posted February 5 5 hours ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said: Following this challenge would be most logical. 1 Quote The Great Reading Thread of 2023 “I've always believed that failure is non-existent. What is failure? You go to the end of the season, then you lose the Super Bowl. Is that failing? To most people, maybe. But when you're picking apart why you failed, and now you're learning from that, then is that really failing? I don't think so." - Kobe Bryant, 1978-2020. Rest in peace, great warrior. Personal Challenges, a.k.a.The Saga of Scalyfreak: Tutorial; Ch 1; Ch 2; Ch 3; Ch 4; Ch 5; Ch 6; Intermission; Intermission II; Ch 7; Ch 8; Ch 9; Ch 10; Ch 11; Ch 12 ; Ch 13; Ch 14; Ch 15; Ch 16; Ch 17; Intermission III; Ch 18; Ch 19; Ch 20; Ch 21; Ch 22; Ch 23; Ch 24; Ch 25; Intermission IV; Ch 26; Ch 27; Ch 28; Ch 29; Ch 30; Ch 31; Ch 32; Ch 33; Ch 34; Ch 35; Ch 36; Ch 37; Ch 38; Ch 39; Ch 40; Intermission V; Ch 41; Ch 42 Link to comment
Everstorm Posted February 6 Report Share Posted February 6 On 2/4/2023 at 1:28 AM, sarakingdom said: Sigh. Vulcans do not know how to have a good time. 1 Quote Life before Death Strength before Weakness Journey before Destination Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted February 6 Author Report Share Posted February 6 Right. I'm going to portion out snacks for the week, then go make some hot cocoa and go for a walk, then go to bed. This is the best thing I can do to get ready for tomorrow. 4 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Harriet Posted February 6 Report Share Posted February 6 Good luck buttering up and/or beating your enemies/lovers this vulcantine's day. 1 Quote Let cheese and oxen and mead crowd out our secret desires for power and domination - Harriet the Viking Just be bold, fluid and unapologetic, not small, hairy and indecisive - Harriet the Artist You can absorb me! - Harriet the Contextless Guru Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted February 6 Author Report Share Posted February 6 It's been a while since I've worked on the floor, and I'm feeling it. 3 1 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted February 7 Author Report Share Posted February 7 In keeping with my pon farr theme, I would like to point out that my latest successful sinus intervention is, in fact, lube. It's entirely logical. You can't use oil-based moisturisers in the nose, and lube is a lot cheaper and easier to find than actual nasal moisturizing gel. I have fewer nosebleeds and sinus blockages, and thus can sleep for more than two hours at a time. Thanks, sexual wellness industry! However, it does mean I'm lubing up my nose every day. Oh well, that's definitely the future Gene Roddenberry would have wanted. Also bodies are stupid. 3 4 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Tanktimus the Encourager Posted February 7 Report Share Posted February 7 4 minutes ago, sarakingdom said: In keeping with my pon farr theme, I would like to point out that my latest successful sinus intervention is, in fact, lube. It'sentirely logical. You can't use oil-based moisturisers in the nose, and lube is a lot cheaper and easier to find than actual nasal moisturizing gel. I have fewer nosebleeds and sinus blockages, and thus can sleep for more than two hours at a time. Thanks, sexual wellness industry! However, it does mean I'm lubing up my nose every day. Oh well, that's definitely the future Gene Roddenberry would have wanted. Also bodies are stupid. Whatever helps you sleep. Quote Current Challenge "By the Most-Righteous-and-Blessed Beard of Sir Tanktimus the Encourager!" - Jarl Rurik Harrgath Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted February 7 Author Report Share Posted February 7 1 hour ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said: Whatever helps you sleep. 2 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Snarkyfishguts Posted February 7 Report Share Posted February 7 If it's safe for the hooha, it's safe for your nostrils 1 1 Quote Link to comment
Tanktimus the Encourager Posted February 7 Report Share Posted February 7 8 minutes ago, Snarkyfishguts said: If it's safe for the hooha, it's safe for your nostrils I can possibly think of some exceptions... 1 3 Quote Current Challenge "By the Most-Righteous-and-Blessed Beard of Sir Tanktimus the Encourager!" - Jarl Rurik Harrgath Link to comment
Snarkyfishguts Posted February 7 Report Share Posted February 7 1 minute ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said: I can possibly think of some exceptions... I was being specific to this instance, not generalizing Tank!! OMG, the visuals....*dies* 4 Quote Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted February 7 Author Report Share Posted February 7 36 minutes ago, Snarkyfishguts said: If it's safe for the hooha, it's safe for your nostrils Yes, I can hear that as a line of dialogue in Star Trek episode. This truly is the future Gene Roddenberry would have wanted. (What? Space is low humidity, that's all I... okay, it'd start in a perfectly innocent utilitarian way like that, but you know that's not how the episode would end.) 30 minutes ago, Tanktimus the Encourager said: I can possibly think of some exceptions... Quite... quite a few, in fact. Upon reflection, I think most of the things that are safe there would be unsafe for the nostrils. 28 minutes ago, Snarkyfishguts said: I was being specific to this instance, not generalizing Tank!! OMG, the visuals....*dies* Honestly, it was the first thing I thought when you said that. And, having given it some thought, I think it'd eventually suffer from the same problem as oil-based moisturisers, so Gene's vision may be outta luck. (The real problem there isn't the nostrils, but aspiration into the lungs - they can't clear out anything, so if oil from the moisturisers gets in, you get some kinda permanent pneumonia.) 3 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted February 7 Author Report Share Posted February 7 Week 0 Day 2 - Training Montage Tuesday Sometimes you gotta remember why you're running and punching and climbing. Also, maybe there is a tool here, cuz the ADHD brain is very adrenaline-motivated. Even adrenaline-calmed, in some cases. Maybe Mariner in Lower Decks was onto something when she used Cardassian prison break holodeck programs for her weekly cardio. Not enough space battles in my workouts. And I believe I will just say it: Star Trek 3 is actually the best Star Trek movie. ST4 might be the better movie overall, but ST3 is the best Star Trek movie. (And I will not entertain arguments about Khan, which is an overgrown TV episode with an unbelievably charismatic guest villain. It does what it does rather well, but it's not doing much.) Star Trek 3 is the Trek pinnacle. Although kidnapping whales is glorious in its own right. The Needs of the One Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Score Control the emotions 0 Eat the plomik soup 1 Drink the water 4 Sleep at 11 -2 0.5 Train the lirpa 3 Weekly Score 6 Things I need to remember: Lirpa training options Emotional control options Take a walk Yoga Balance exercise Plank Horse stance Bridge Superwomen Rest when I don't wanna Reward incremental progress to make goals feel immediate 4 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted February 8 Author Report Share Posted February 8 I've started swapping hot cocoa for turmeric milk, so I have other hot highly caloric hide-the-butter drink options. (Currently too hot to drink, but insanely delicious. Turmeric, ginger, and chai masala. Sweet and creamy.) (I can't swear that's it, cuz I dont speak Turkish, but it looks about right. I think that's turmeric and ginger roots.) I have decided that maybe I will try to be more organised about some IF for health benefits. I was gonna put it off, cuz my body sometimes seems to freak out in response to intermittent fasting and trigger some anxiety, so I was down with the "no fasting, lower cortisol" advice, but I think a basic 17/7 should be pretty doable, since I'm not far off that many days, and I'm a little more on top of my calories these days. The freaking out may have been coming from being underfed. So I'm going to try a fairly low protein macro during weekdays and higher on weekends, and that should be good enough for both the brain ketone experiment and triggering some autophagy on cleaning up some underlying health issues. Which I wouldn't say are rife, but you rack up some chronic low level shit through the years, and I suspect the weirdness of my weight loss experiments indicates I'd benefit from some damaged cell cleanup in aisle three. I won't be making it a challenge goal yet, because I'm avoiding challenge creep, but it slots in pretty neatly with the general goals I was going for. I did yoga. Sorta by accident. I was there, it came on, I needed the stretch. See, that's why there are timers (when they work). I'm gonna count it for three points, two for being long and one for containing a bridge. God, I needed that. I am so, so stiff and unflexy. Everything hurt. (Except for a few stretches that are the way I sit on the ground, cuz I've been doing that a little more lately.) Yoga wasn't in the original plan, but I really need it, so now it's there. Also dating on Vulcan probably requires flexibility. For throwing around the weapons, if nothing else. I won't make my bedtime tonight, cuz I have a drink to finish, but I'll count midnight for half a point this week. Midnight is pretty good. Not perfect, but not a big problem. 8 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Ziraiah Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 This whole thread is truly Following along! Ps: I can feel you on the "Everything hurts" part. Yoga sounds like a good option for sure. Quote Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted February 8 Author Report Share Posted February 8 10 hours ago, Ziraiah said: Ps: I can feel you on the "Everything hurts" part. Every stretch was: 3 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted February 8 Author Report Share Posted February 8 Week 0 Day 3 - Women of Trek Wednesday Cuz I gotta practice my power-posing, and remember there's a world that doesn't require me to be quiet and polite and not hauling off and punching people or sipping tea sarcastically. The Needs of the One Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Score Control the emotions 0 0 Eat the plomik soup 1 0 Drink the water 4 1 Sleep at 11 -2 -4 Train the lirpa 3 0 Weekly Score 6 Things I need to remember: Lirpa training options Emotional control options Take a walk Yoga Balance exercise Plank Horse stance Bridge Superwomen Rest when I don't wanna Reward incremental progress to make goals feel immediate 2 2 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
TimovieMan Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 In for the Star Trek references. 2 Quote Active challenges: Balancing sleep and gaming | Walk to Mordor - (spreadsheet) | DailyDare 2023 threads: Challenge VIII | IX 2018-19 & 2021 threads: Battle log | Challenge I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII Link to comment
Scaly Freak Posted February 8 Report Share Posted February 8 3 hours ago, sarakingdom said: Cuz I gotta practice my power-posing, and remember there's a world that doesn't require me to be quiet and polite and not hauling off and punching people or sipping tea sarcastically. I like that video. Thank you for brightening my day -- it was desperately needed. 1 Quote The Great Reading Thread of 2023 “I've always believed that failure is non-existent. What is failure? You go to the end of the season, then you lose the Super Bowl. Is that failing? To most people, maybe. But when you're picking apart why you failed, and now you're learning from that, then is that really failing? I don't think so." - Kobe Bryant, 1978-2020. Rest in peace, great warrior. Personal Challenges, a.k.a.The Saga of Scalyfreak: Tutorial; Ch 1; Ch 2; Ch 3; Ch 4; Ch 5; Ch 6; Intermission; Intermission II; Ch 7; Ch 8; Ch 9; Ch 10; Ch 11; Ch 12 ; Ch 13; Ch 14; Ch 15; Ch 16; Ch 17; Intermission III; Ch 18; Ch 19; Ch 20; Ch 21; Ch 22; Ch 23; Ch 24; Ch 25; Intermission IV; Ch 26; Ch 27; Ch 28; Ch 29; Ch 30; Ch 31; Ch 32; Ch 33; Ch 34; Ch 35; Ch 36; Ch 37; Ch 38; Ch 39; Ch 40; Intermission V; Ch 41; Ch 42 Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted February 9 Author Report Share Posted February 9 Sleep is a mess. If not everything goes right, nothing goes right. And at the end of the day, not everything goes right. This is a problem, cuz I can't make enough rules to get rid of all the possible failure points. (I did, however, fail to lube up my nostrils yesterday, because I was working in a different location and was too lazy to go get it. That was a mistake. Note to self, never skip the nose lube again. But it was a mistake that only added insult to injury.) I dunno, man, What Would a Vulcan Do? I don't think Vulcans have this problem. I mean, let's assume we're past the whole "alarms and reminders" phase; they are inadequate to the task. I need a real time sleep coach or something. Or a nap before bedtime, to refill my mental reserves. Or a doctor who wants to give me an injection to help me deal better with the thin atmosphere. A friend who comes by to give you a neck pinch at the same time every night. something. And This is a problemrules r 2 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
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